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What’s the Most Horsepower You’ve Rocked?

Posted in Cadillac, Cars, Corvette, Expensive Cars, Fast Cars, Ferrari, Horsepower, Infiniti, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, car modifications, exotic cars by Nathan Redden · 13 opinions voiced

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Pissing contest time! Anyone that says horsepower is overrated is dumb. Yes, handling is nice. And yes, brakes keep me from eating brick walls. But the idea of outrunning a police helicopter should I decide to is absolutely intoxicating.

My journey started with a G35 Coupe rated at a respectable 287 horses and from there, a 305hp IS350. The next big jump came when I drove a Vette, 400hp. Next came the 500hp M6 I borrowed for a couple days. My favorite thus far has been a new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V rated at 556. This car is truly the full package. While I love the Caddy, my quest for bragging rights had to continue. It ended last month when a good friend loaned me this:

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What you’re looking at here is a DINAN M6. The stock 5.0L V10 was swapped out with a stroked 5.7L. Then a massive overhaul was performed on the internals, intake, ECU and exhaust systems. In his words, “Absolutely no expense was spared.” Final number? Right at 700 horsepower. It’s basically a 4-wheeled expletive producer. The 0-60 was pretty on par with the less powerful Cadillac, mostly because the torque figures were similar and Bimmer’s SMG shifts like my arthritic Grandma. But once you hit triple-digit speeds, it feels like the speedo could’ve gone all the way around to 0 again.

So, how about you guys? What’s the most powerful car/truck/vehicle you’ve ever taken for a spin?

*UPDATE: Due to popular demand, here’s a few extra pics of the BMW:

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Comments

There are 13 comments battling for the truth! Have your say!

  1. 523 hp in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

    Alright, so you’re right about hp meaning a lot, but it’s certainly not the only thing that makes a car fun.

    For example, I also drove a Ferrari F430 with “only” 480 hp, and would take the Ferrari over the Lambo any day. My wife drove a Merc-McLaren SLR with 575 hp and she had much more fun in the Ferrari too.

    That’s not to say horsepower doesn’t matter, of course, it’s what we gearheads live for. But don’t base a decision solely on that number.

    Having said that, my friend owns a Nissan 300ZX TT that puts down a stupidly powerful 750hp! He said he’d let me drive it once his clutch is fixed. Still waiting, Dan!

    Words by Chris Burdick on April 29, 2009 at 10:21 pm | #


  2. 158! Yeeeeeeeeeah!

    Words by Guyon on April 29, 2009 at 11:11 pm | #


  3. Chris, I couldn’t agree more. Horsepower is only piece of the puzzle. That’s why I’m such a big advocate of the Nurburgring benchmark. My M6 may have had more power, but you’d better believe I would trade it in a heartbeat for some seat time in any of the exotics you mentioned.

    Words by Nathan Redden on April 30, 2009 at 12:24 am | #


  4. 604HP AMG S65. It ain’t the HP though that intoxicates, it’s the 738 lb-ft @ 2000-4000 rpm of torque that does the trick.

    Words by Lee on April 30, 2009 at 12:48 am | #


  5. 3.5 in my lawn mower. I hate cars.

    Words by that guy on April 30, 2009 at 2:56 pm | #


  6. My uncles 230 hp intreprid. Yea.. :(

    But that BMW is sick. Hope you post more pictures. 700 hp :O !!!!!!!!!!!

    Words by Honda Auctions on April 30, 2009 at 8:41 pm | #


  7. Your wish is my command!

    Words by Nathan Redden on May 1, 2009 at 8:54 am | #


  8. What’s your weapon of choice then, Guy?

    Words by Nathan Redden on May 1, 2009 at 8:55 am | #


  9. well i’ve driven a z06 at work (valet), didn’t open that up for obvious reasons, but i did have the coolest old guy ever come in

    pulled up in a bmw 750il w/ the v12 motor. believe it only puts out 440, but still… told me i could take it for a spin long as i kept it under 150 and bring it back in one piece. i obliged. very fun car, spritely for such a giant, and dead quiet taking bends at 85mph

    Words by mike on May 1, 2009 at 11:12 am | #


  10. Whoa! Now that’s what you call a car! Now if only I could get behind the wheel.

    Thx for the upload Nathan. Apperciate it.

    Words by Honda Auctions on May 1, 2009 at 10:08 pm | #


  11. well i have bought a 2005 ford mustang v6. 133 mph 4.0 liter. oh, and 210 horsepower :P . so…. yeah that car is fun to drive and i drive it EVERYDAY! trucks try to act tough and their all passing me. and i’m thinkin “don’t fuck with my stang man, i’m warning you!” lol.

    Words by lol on July 26, 2009 at 5:47 pm | #


  12. oh! and then i blow out any car/truck that acts tough and passes me :P :D :P

    Words by lol on July 26, 2009 at 5:48 pm | #


  13. The most horsepower I have ever had under my foot would be my uncle’s SRT-10 (i could only take it around the block) Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I heard somewhere that they have 800 hp and ftlbs.

    Words by Ryan on September 19, 2009 at 5:04 pm | #



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