The Most Powerful V8 Cars You Can Drive on the Road in 2023

A stalwart of the American automotive industry, the V8 entered the mainstream in the 1930s with the introduction of the Ford Motor Company's flatty. Modern vee-eight powerplants, however, are different beasts from the 1960s classics we all know and love.

The second-gen Hemi 426, for example, doesn't hold a candle to the least powerful tune of the Hellcat. Even the Ford Motor Company's award-winning Coyote was gifted with dual throttle bodies in the 2024 model year Mustang, thus elevating the 5.0-liter tower of power to 500 bellowing ponies in the GT-derived Dark Horse.

But 500 horsepower isn’t nearly enough for the Mustang Dark Horse to be ranked in our list of the most powerful V8-engined cars drivable on public roads in 2023. That being said, let's kick off the top 20 below with a vehicle that often flies under the radar despite being hellishly fast in a straight line and truly rewarding in the twisties.

20. Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – 690 hp

Porsche delivered no fewer than 309,884 vehicles in the first six months of 2023. The most demanded nameplates are – of course – the Cayenne (95,604 units) and Macan (86,724 units). The 911 is third with 40,410 examples under its belt, followed by 34,142 units of the Panamera.

Care to guess which of these vehicles is the most powerful of the bunch? The answer is Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Available in standard- and long-wheelbase flavors, as well as a shooting brake-styled wagon referred to as the Sport Turismo, said version of the Panamera pushes out a combined 690 hp and 641 lb-ft (870 Nm).

The plug-in sibling of the 620-hp Panamera Turbo needs 3.0 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), a figure that used to be supercar territory a decade ago. Top end? Make that 196 mph (315 kph), thank you!

19. Aston Martin DBX707 – 697 hp

Aston Martin's bread and butter is the DBX, a luxury-oriented sport utility vehicle worthy of the "sport" in sport utility vehicle. Available with a turbocharged inline-six engine in China, the DBX for Europe and the United States of America hides a turbo V8 underhood.

The standard tune of the hand-assembled engine offers 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm), which is a bit disappointing in comparison to the likes of the 617-hp BMW X6 M Competition and 630-hp Alpina XB7. The DBX707 trumps both of them with 697 horsepower and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm), the most aggressive tune yet for the Mercedes-AMG M177 wet-sump V8 lump.

Rated at 193 miles per hour (310 kilometers per hour) and 3.1 seconds to 60 miles per hour, the DBX707 further boasts an AMG-specific transmission. Rather than a conventional torque converter, the nine-speed auto in the British SUV uses a wet start-off clutch to reduce weight and improve throttle response thanks to lower inertia.

18. Ford F-150 Raptor R – 700 hp

Ford might have extended the Shelby GT500's production life cycle into 2023 had it not been for the F-150 Raptor R. The higher-volume pickup truck also happens to be a bit more expensive than the most powerful road-going 'Stang from the S550 generation.

The Predator V8-powered Shelby GT500 used to start in the ballpark of $80k, whereas the R package adds $30,575 to the F-150 Raptor's base price of $76,775. Equipped with an F-150 Raptor R-specific automatic transmission rather than the Mustang's dual-clutch box, the off-road pickup comes standard with 37-inch tires.

Jason Cammisa recently had the opportunity to drag race said truck against a selection of heavy-hitting sport utility vehicles, including the Cadillac Escalade-V and Mercedes-AMG G 63. Of all challengers, only the Lamborghini Urus proved faster in the quarter mile, clocking 11.7 compared to 12.0 seconds flat for the R.

17. Ram 1500 TRX – 702 hp

The 1500 TRX is all but confirmed to be canned after 2024. Ram's light-duty pickup truck line is due a refresh next year, and with said refresh, the Stellantis-owned truck brand will adopt a twin-turbocharged I6 that produces up to 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft (678 Nm).

A regular-production engine with more oomph than the BMW M3 Competition xDrive is nothing to scoff at. However, one cannot escape the fact that a sixer doesn't offer the aural pleasure of a cam-in-block V8 engine.

Certain to become a collectible after 2024, the Ram 1500 TRX is – quite surprisingly – less expensive than the Ford F-150 Raptor R. At press time, it carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $85,050 in the United States.

16. Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat – 710 hp

Twinned with the discontinued Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is that little bit punchier. The well-known Hellcat engine makes 707 horsepower in the previous-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee, whereas the Durango levels up to 710 ponies. Torque is rated at 645 pound-feet (875 Nm) for both.

Another small difference between these platform twins comes in the form of practicality. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk came with five seats exclusively, whereas the Hellcat'd Durango can accommodate up to six people.

If 710 horsepower doesn't cut it, fret not. Hennessey Performance Engineering, which ranked in first place with the Venom 5, can take the Durango SRT Hellcat to 1,000 horsepower and 969 pound-feet (1,134 Nm) for an extra $34,950 over the $93,605 suggested retail price.

15. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger SRT Hellcat – 717 hp

Revealed in 2014 for the 2015 model year, the first batch of Hellcat-powered muscle cars offered 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet (881 Nm). The Challenger and Charger with said engine now feature at least 717, which still is a helluva lot of power compared to direct rivals.

Or, better said, indirect rival. As of August 2023, the Charger SRT Hellcat doesn't compete with anything. As for the Challenger SRT Hellcat, only the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 qualifies as a competitor, albeit indirectly.

The current-gen Challenger, Charger, and Camaro are living on borrowed time, though. Be that as it may, Dodge will refashion the Charger in the guise of a three-door electric liftback coupe with more than 1,000 ponies on tap. In the Camaro's case, Chevrolet is expected to bring this moniker back for an electric four-door sedan.

14. BMW XM Label Red – 738 hp

Arguably the most aesthetically-challenged vehicle of this ranking, the XM Label Red brings together a twin-turbocharged V8 and a transmission-integrated electric motor. Being a plug-in hybrid, it features a high-voltage battery for extra performance under acceleration or for zero-emission driving, whatever may float your boat.

BMW hasn't yet published the curb weight for the US-spec Label Red. For reference, the 644-horsepower XM is rated at 6,094 pounds (2,765 kilograms) in this part of the world, making it heavier than the F-150 Raptor R.

Under the skin, the XM is – for all intents and purposes – an X7. Coincidentally, the S68 engine in the X7-based Alpina XB7 churns out more ponies than the S68 engine in the Label Red. Curiouser still, the S68 engine is also used for non-M applications such as the 760i xDrive.

13. McLaren 750S – 740 hp

Earlier this year, McLaren told investors that final deliveries of the 765LT and Elva will take place in the first half of 2023. In other words, the 720S-derived 750S is – at least for the time being – the most powerful V8-powered McLaren entitled to wear a license plate.

Despite looking way too similar to the 720S it replaces, the 750S isn't a lousy facelift. McLaren's lightest series-production supercar to date has a dry weight of 1,277 kilograms (2,815 pounds), which is 30 kilograms (66 pounds) less than the 720S it replaces. From the wider front track to the extra fuel pump and 765LT-sourced pistons, a lot of things have changed from the 720S.

It's not cheap, though. Pricing starts at $329,500 in the United States for the coupe, whereas the spider comes in at $350,500 (including the $5,500 destination charge). Deliveries will commence by the end of 2023. Happily for soon-to-be owners, the standard Pirelli P Zero summer tires can be changed with a set of winter tires. Those who intend to wait until it gets warmer can splash out on Trofeo Rs, the grippiest tire choice available.

12. Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance – 791 hp

The only V8-powered 7 Series in production today is the US-exclusive 760i xDrive, a mild-hybrid luxobarges that develops a respectable 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm). Over at Merc, the AMG-ified S 63 E Performance is the most powerful Sonderklasse yet.

The quickest-accelerating member of the 223 series can switch from Dr. Henry Jekyll to Mr. Edward Hyde at a moment's notice. On full song, the plug-in hybrid V8 bruiser summons 791 ponies and a turbo diesel heavy-duty pickup truck-shaming 1,055 lb-ft (1,430 Nm).

Coming to US dealers nationwide as a 2024 model, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is available to configure in its home market of Germany from 208,392.80 euros. Converted at current exchange rates, that bundle of cash means 226,970 freedom eagles.

11. Dodge Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak and Super Stock specifications - 807 hp

Best described as the perfect compromise between the Redeye and Demon, the Super Stock's 807-horsepower engine carried over to the Jailbreak series. More or less a customization program, Jailbreak is Dodge's way of maximizing profits in the final year of production for the combustion-engined Charger and Challenger.

What boggles the mind is that Chrysler didn't shoehorn this engine in the 300C, the farewell special edition of the Charger's plusher cousin. Limited to 2,000 units in the United States and 200 in Canada, the 300C rocks 485 horsepower from the 392-cube HEMI V8.

In addition to the Hellcat, the 6.4- and 5.7-liter versions of the HEMI are – reportedly – getting the axe. It's hard to imagine the Ram HD line soldiering on with nothing more than the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel inline-six engine, but then again, downsizing is only natural due to ever-stringent US fuel economy standards.

10. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance – 831 hp

Potent though it may be, the S 63 E Performance plays second fiddle to the GT 63 S E Performance. Not the sports coupe revealed in Monterey as a 2024 model, but the five-door liftback sedan that Mercedes-AMG advertises as the GT 4-Door Coupe.

Based on the 213 series of the E-Class, the GT 4-Door Coupe rolled out in 2018 for model year 2019 as the GT 63 S. As opposed to 630 ponies and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm), the plug-in hybrid brother prides itself on 831 ponies and 1,082 pound-feet (1,467 Nm).

As of August 2023, only the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar is more powerful in the German automaker lineup. The ONE to rule them all offers an electric driving range of 11 miles (18 kilometers) in the WLTP. By comparison, the heavier GT 63 S E Performance has an electric range of 7 miles (12 kilometers).

9. Ferrari SF90 – 986 hp

Named after the SF90 racing car fielded by Scuderia Ferrari in the 2019 season, the SF90 road car is the first plug-in hybrid to come out of Maranello. Even though it doesn't feature the Formula 1-derived kinetic energy recovery system of the LaFerrari, the SF90 has the upper hand from a dig and in the corners due to a grand total of three electric motors. Indeed, three motors!

Two are located up front, and one sits on the dual-clutch gearbox. In order to save weight, Ferrari tasked Magna Powertrain to develop a reverseless transmission. Reversing is the duty of the front motors. The beating heart of the SF90 is the F154 FA twin-turbo V8, which – on its own – develops up to 769 horsepower.

Had Ferrari not discontinued the F8 Tributo, the non-electrified supercar would've made our top 20 ranking. Canned at the beginning of 2023, the 488-replacing F8 Tributo develops 710 horsepower at full chatter.

8. Ferrari SF90 XX – 1,016 hp

Back in the good ol' days, XX used to mean 20. In Ferrari vernacular, XX refers to a special program introduced in 2005 by the FXX. The TL;DR version of the XX Program is that you can buy a road car-based racing car to have fun on the track. The funny thing is, XX Program customers don't own and don't get to keep said vehicles.

The SF90 XX, by comparison, was developed with public roads in mind. Customers also get to keep it, which kind of defeats the purpose of the XX Program. Whatever the Prancing Horse may have been thinking, the SF90 XX is – without a shadow of a doubt – Ferrari's most extreme road-going production vehicle yet.

More powerful than the SF90, yet not a direct successor to the LaFerrari, the SF90 XX offers double the maximum downforce of the SF90. Only 799 units of the berlinetta-bodied Stradale will be produced, along with a further 599 examples of the Spider variant.

7. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 – 1,025 hp

The second production vehicle of this ranking to break the 1,000-horsepower mark is the ultimate expression of the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 marketed as the Hellcat. What's utmost impressive about the engine in the Demon 170 is that it's not assisted by electric motors.

However, similar to the 2018 model year Demon, the 2023-only Demon 170 does cheat. The Demon's pushrod V8 takes 100-plus-octane race fuel, whereas the Demon 170 is called 170 after the alcohol proof of E85.

Dodge's final internal combustion-engined muscle car is the most powerful internal combustion-engined muscle car yet. Given that Ford waxes lyrical about 800-plus horsepower of the Mustang GTD, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 is likely to remain the most powerful ICE muscle car ever. 3,300 will be made, of which 300 examples will be delivered to Canadian customers.

6. Zenvo TSR-S – 1,177 hp

Don't feel bad if you haven't already heard of Zenvo Automotive. Founded in 2007, the Danish automaker came to prominence in February 2014 thanks to Top Gear. Indeed, series 21 episode 3 is the episode in which the Captain Power, Captain Slow, and The Hamster took a trip through Ukraine in three-cylinder economy cars from VW, Ford, and Romanian automaker Dacia.

The Zenvo ST1 famously caught fire on Top Gear's test track after a cooling fan gave up the ghost. Also worthy of note, the rear brakes didn't function correctly, and the clutch failed. The ST in ST1 stands for supercharging and turbocharging, with the ST1 packing a heavily-modified version of the fifth-gen Camaro Z/28's LS7 V8.

TS1 GT is the name of the ST1's replacement, which uses a GM-based V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft and two superchargers. Two derivatives of the TS1 GT are produced nowadays, both of them based on the track-only Zenvo TSR, which puts out 1,104 ponies from a displacement of 5.8 liters. The TSR-S is the lesser of the two siblings, despite offering 1,177 horsepower.

5. Czinger 21C Blackbird – 1,350 hp

Here's another boutique automaker that may not ring a bell to the more casual of car aficionados. Despite its name, Czinger is based in Los Angeles. Founded in 2019 by Kevin Czinger, the company sells high-performance vehicles through the likes of O'Gara Coach in the United States and H.R. Owen in the United Kingdom.

Designed in California, the 21C is due to start deliveries in the latter part of 2023. Three versions are in the pipeline. The recently unveiled Blackbird Edition pays tribute to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.

Revealed with much pomp during the 2023 Monterey Car Week, the 21C Blackbird uses a small twin-turbo V8 (only 2.88 liters) and two front-mounted electric motors for a combined output of 1,350 horsepower. The 21C and 21C V Max come with 1,250 horsepower as standard. The 1,350-hp tune is optionally available. To whom it may concern, the top speed of the 21C V Max is 253 miles per hour (407 kilometers per hour).

4. Zenvo TSR-GT – 1,360 hp

Oh, another Zenvo! As implied, the TSR-GT builds on the TSR-S with a few more ponies. In addition to 1,360 horsepower, the TSR-GT features a low-drag setup to achieve a higher top speed. As opposed to 202 miles per hour (325 kilometers per hour) for the S, the GT promises 263 miles per hour (424 kilometers per hour).

Once again, we're dealing with a 5.8-liter V8 connected to a dual-clutch gearbox. Zero to 100 kilometers per hour is estimated at 2.8 seconds, which – theoretically – should mean 2.6 seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour.

The higher-output engine and low-drag makeover wouldn't mean a thing without a longer final drive for the helical-cut gearbox developed in-house by Zenvo. Similar to the Demon 170, the TSR-GT also drinks corn brew. Only three will be made. The TSR-GT sold out prior to its world debut in November 2022.

3. Koenigsegg Jesko – 1,578 hp

The Jesko "megacar" was introduced at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show as the successor to the Agera RS. Named after Christian von Koenigsegg's papa, the Jesko can be specified in Attack or Absolut specifications.

Attack is the Swedish automaker's way of saying track-oriented specification. Absolut is the very opposite, a low-drag hypercar designed to be as fast as technically possible in a straight line. According to Christian von Koenigsegg, the Jesko Absolut is much obliged to exceed 330 miles per hour (530 kilometers per hour).

125 units of the Absolut and Attack will be produced, of which roughly 40 are heading stateside. The first US-spec Jesko is scheduled for production in Q3 2023.

2. SSC Tuatara – 1,750 hp

Previously known as Shelby SuperCars, SSC North America made a name for itself in 2004 with the SSC Ultimate Aero. Its heir apparent, dubbed Tuatara, allegedly hit 333.15 miles per hour (532.93 kilometers per hour) during testing in 2020. The top speed run, however, was ultimately proven illegitimate.

Back in 2021, when the peeps at SSC North America were traveling to Florida for more top speed testing, high winds flipped over the trailer containing the Tuatara. Fast forward to 2022, and Tuatara owner Larry Caplain maxed out his car at 295 miles per hour (475 kilometers per hour) at NASA's Launch and Landing Facility.

Penned by Jason Castriota of Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Maserati GranTurismo, and Ford Mustang Mach-E fame, the Tuatara uses a Nelson Racing Engines-developed V8 that belts out 1,750 horsepower in road-going form. The track-only Tuatara Aggressor is rated at 2,200 hp.

1. Hennessey Venom F5 – 1,817 hp

And now, the big one! Lovingly baptized Fury, the 6.6-liter V8 of the Hennessey Venom F5 is based on the long-running LS engine. The LS7, to be more precise, hence its 104.8-millimeter bore. Hennessey Performance Engineering reduced the stroke to 95.25 mils to enable a redline of 8,500 revolutions per minute.

Named after the highest rating on the Fujita scale of tornado intensity, the Venom F5 is claimed to max out at 311 miles per hour (500 kilometers per hour). The Venom F5 Coupe starts at $2.1 million, whereas the roadster body style retails at $3 million.

Unveiled in January 2023, the Venom F5 Revolution Coupe is the Venom F5 with more downforce. How much of it? More than 1,400 pounds (635 kilograms) at 249 miles per hour (401 kilometers per hour). The roadster went official earlier this month at The Quail. The Venom F5 is limited to 90 units, of which the Venom F5 Revolution Roadster will number only 12.

If you still have any curiosities about powerful V8 automobiles, please refer to the FAQ section below.

What V8 engine puts out the most horsepower nowadays? As far as production engines are concerned, the 1,817-hp Fury in the Venom F5 is king of the hill. When it comes to crate engines, the Nelson Racing Engines twin-turbo HEMI 572 cranks out 2,500 ponies.

What is the most powerful V8-engined Chevrolet model? That would be the 670-horsepower Corvette Z06, which is the only Chevrolet in production today with a flat-plane crankshaft V8.

What is the most powerful V8-engined Ford model? Having axed the Shelby GT500 after the 2022 model year, the F-150 Raptor R is the most powerful V8-engined Ford nowadays. It puts out 700 horsepower.

What is the most powerful V8-engined Dodge model? Demon 170 is the answer, a Challenger-based muscle car with the pokiest iteration yet of the Hellcat engine.

Is the V8 layout better than the V6? For hauling and towing, the V8 is the better choice. On the other hand, the V6 can be stupidly powerful as well. The Ferrari 296 comes to mind, a midship plug-in hybrid supercar that develops 654 ponies from a displacement of 3.0 liters. In hybrid mode, combined output is 819 horsepower.

What is the fastest V8-engined production vehicle in 2023? The Jesko Absolut is capable of hitting more than 330 miles per hour (530 kilometers per hour). By comparison, Hennessey estimates a top speed of 311 miles per hour (500 kilometers per hour) for the Venom F5. The SSC Tuatara's highest recorded top speed is 295 miles per hour (475 km/h), although it can obviously be pushed further still on a long-enough stretch of tarmac.

What is the most powerful American V8-engined car? The Challenger SRT Demon 170 with its 1,025-hp supercharged V8.

What is the most powerful European V8-engined car? At the present moment, that would be the 1,578-hp Koenigsegg Jesko.

What is the most powerful Japanese V8-engined car? 472 free-breathing ponies and 395 pound-feet (536 Nm) of twist is the most Toyota squeezed out of the 2UR-GSE, with said tune found in the Lexus RC F and IS 500 F Sport Performance.

Will there be V8-engined production vehicles in 2030? In a nutshell, yes. Back in January 2023, General Motors announced that it would invest a whopping $579 million into Flint Engine Operations in Michigan to prepare the production facility for the sixth-generation small block, an engine family that will be used in the Silverado and Sierra, and – fingers crossed – the Corvette as well.