2014 Ford Mustang

There are certain sounds that will make a driving enthusiast drool like one of Pavlov's famous dogs. Firing up a 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, for example, elicits a throaty rumble so intoxicating that every car fan in the neighborhood is liable to show up in your driveway.

Lest anyone think it's some mere poser, this over-the-top Mustang variant has the bite to back up that bark. The Shelby GT500's supercharged V8 cranks out an astonishing 662 horsepower, making it the most powerful V8 ever squeezed beneath the hood of a production car. In practical terms, that translates to a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 200 mph, numbers that put it on par with exotic supercars.

To complement all that power, the Ford GT500 gets a lightweight carbon-fiber driveshaft, upgraded brakes, beefed-up suspension bits, and the latest Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires. Adding the available SVT Performance and Track option packages helps boost the car's abilities with electronically adjustable shock absorbers, firmer springs, and enhanced cooling for the engine and transmission.

The 2014 Shelby GT 500 is a 5.8 liter (354.6 cid) supercharged aluminum engine that develops 662 horsepower (6,500 rpm) and 631 lb-ft torque (@ 4,000 rpm).