During the golden age of American muscle cars, Detroit produced some incredibly fast vehicles with astonishing horsepower figures.
The legendary 426 Street Hemi delivered 425 horsepower, while the iconic Corvette 427 edged slightly higher with 435 horsepower.
At the time, manufacturers often underrated engine power for insurance purposes, and later dyno tests have revealed that these engines actually produced much more.
However, based on official figures, no classic mass-produced vehicle ever reached the 500-horsepower mark.
Fast-forward to today, and the landscape of muscle cars has drastically changed.
Modern engineering, advanced performance components, and the introduction of turbocharging and supercharging have enabled engines to produce massive amounts of horsepower with smaller displacements.
Additionally, advancements in suspensions, chassis technology, and high-performance tires allow these cars to put their power to the ground more efficiently.
As a result, modern muscle cars are capable of quarter-mile times that would have been considered 0-60 mph speeds in the past.
When discussing vehicles with 500+ horsepower, the word “slow” may seem out of place. However, in a world where speed is measured by top-end numbers, one of them must be the slowest.
While quick acceleration off the line is one thing, outright speed is another, and some cars simply reach higher velocities.
Being the slowest among these high-horsepower machines is akin to being the sixth-wealthiest person in the world still an enviable position. Nonetheless, some American cars hold this unique distinction, and the answer may be surprising.
1. 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
It’s quite shocking to see the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 one of the most powerful muscle cars ever listed among the slowest 500+ horsepower American cars.
After all, it’s widely believed to have a top speed of 215 mph, right? Not exactly. Dodge itself has never made such a claim about the 1,025-horsepower Last Call special edition.
In 2023, MotorBiscuit published an article asserting that the Demon 170 had a 215-mph top speed, citing a now-deleted report from CarHP as the source.
Challenger SRT Demon 170: Power and Performance
- Engine: 6.2-liter Supercharged Hemi V-8
- Horsepower: 1,025 hp
- Torque: 945 lb-ft
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
- 0-60 Time: 1.66 seconds
- Quarter-Mile Time: 8.91 seconds
- Top Speed: 149 mph / 151 mph?
Since then, many outlets have repeated the 215-mph claim without verifying its authenticity. A quick search for the Demon 170’s top speed brings up multiple articles citing this number, yet none of them link to an official Dodge statement.
Moreover, reputable automotive sources such as MotorTrend and Car and Driver have either never published this figure or have since removed it from their reports.
This suggests that while the Demon 170 is one of the quickest production cars ever built, it may also be among the slowest in terms of top speed within its power category.
Numerous discussions on forums and YouTube videos suggest that the real top speed of the Demon 170 is actually 149 mph.
While these sources are unofficial, one YouTuber, Butter Da Insider, claimed he contacted Dodge directly and was informed that the Demon 170 does not have a 215-mph top speed.
Though Dodge did not provide an exact number, some reports indicate that the vehicle is electronically limited to 149 mph, with an allowance for slightly higher speeds up to 151 mph over a quarter-mile run.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was engineered as a factory-built drag racing monster, where launch power and acceleration are paramount.
It was never intended to compete in top-speed runs or endurance races, making an exceptionally high maximum speed unnecessary.
Nevertheless, for Mopar fans, discovering that this beast is technically slower than some lesser-powered cars may be disappointing especially given how widely the 215-mph figure was misreported.
The good news? All of the other jaw-dropping stats such as its blistering 1.66-second 0-60 mph time and sub-9-second quarter-mile performance are absolutely legitimate.
While the Demon 170 may not be a 200-mph car, there are several American muscle cars with 500+ horsepower that can achieve and surpass that benchmark. Among them are two Mopar models producing 807 horsepower:
Unlike the widely misreported figures for the Demon 170, these top speeds are manufacturer-verified claims, meaning Dodge officially stands by them.
Ultimately, while the Demon 170 may not dominate in terms of top speed, it remains one of the most powerful and quickest muscle cars ever built proving that sheer acceleration is just as impressive as outright velocity.
Also Read: 12 Muscle Cars That Are Hard to Find, Rarest Gems To Know
2. 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, with its 670-horsepower engine, is electronically limited to a top speed of 189 mph. However, GM does have a vehicle that surpasses the 200-mph threshold, and it might not be the one most people expect.
The 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 producing 668 horsepower, giving it both impressive acceleration and a blistering 205-mph top speed.
Among high-horsepower American cars, this luxury sedan stands out as the most unassuming, making it the ultimate sleeper.
While it may not dominate in drag races against the Mopar lineup, it has the upper hand in events like The Texas Mile.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: Power and Performance
- Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged V-8
- Horsepower: 668 hp
- Torque: 659 lb-ft
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- 0-60 Time: 3.6 seconds
- Quarter-Mile Time: 11.6 seconds
- Top Speed: 205 mph
3. 2015 Dodge Viper GTS
Before high-horsepower American cars became mainstream, the 2015 Dodge Viper GTS was already pushing boundaries with extreme power and speed.
This now-discontinued sports car featured an 8.4-liter V-10, generating 645 horsepower an incredible figure for a naturally aspirated engine.
Even more impressive was its top speed of 206 mph, making it one of the fastest American performance cars of its time.
Unlike many high-horsepower muscle cars focused on drag racing, the Viper was designed for high-speed runs and competitive track performance. However, it could still hold its own in straight-line sprints.
Dodge Viper GTS: Power and Performance
- Engine: 8.4-liter V-10
- Horsepower: 645 hp
- Torque: 600 lb-ft
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- 0-60 Time: 3.4 seconds
- Quarter-Mile Time: 11.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 206 mph
4. 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid
Much like the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 being labeled “slow” despite its insane power, falling below the 200-mph mark is hardly something to be ashamed of.
Any car boasting more than 500 horsepower is still an exhilarating machine. The 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid, despite being an electric vehicle, belongs in the conversation due to its staggering power.
This American-made EV is equipped with three permanent-magnet synchronous motors, delivering a combined 1,020 horsepower making it the second most powerful car in this group.
However, its top speed is electronically limited to 162 mph, which some may view as a drawback, but others might see as a practical limitation.
5. 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
With its 5.0-liter engine producing exactly 500 horsepower, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse barely qualifies for the list of America’s high-horsepower muscle cars.
Yet, despite its potent engine, Ford estimates its top speed at 166 mph, placing it on the lower end of the spectrum.
For enthusiasts who remember the Fox Body Mustangs of the 1980s and 1990s when a 5.0-liter V-8 made just 255 horsepower this level of performance is a significant leap forward.
The Dark Horse may not be the fastest in its class, but it delivers an impressive blend of power and handling, making it a worthy contender in the modern muscle car era.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse: Power and Performance
- Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V-8
- Horsepower: 500 hp
- Torque: 418 lb-ft
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- 0-60 Time: 4.1 seconds
- Quarter-Mile Time: 12.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 166 mph
While some of these cars may not have the highest top speeds in their category, each one offers incredible performance in its own right.
Whether it’s the unassuming speed of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the raw power of the Dodge Viper GTS, the futuristic might of the Tesla Model S Plaid, or the legendary heritage of the Mustang Dark Horse, all of these American machines prove that power isn’t just about the numbers it’s about how you use it.
6. 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chevrolet has officially retired the Camaro after the 2024 model year, but the iconic pony car is not going out quietly.
The 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 continues to uphold and even surpass the legacy of this legendary nameplate with its supercharged small-block V-8, delivering a thunderous 650 horsepower.
This immense power translates to an incredibly quick 0-60 time and a blistering top speed of 190 mph. For perhaps the first time in its history, the Camaro has managed to outpace the Corvette albeit by a mere one mile per hour but a win is a win.
Power and Performance
- Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged V-8
- Horsepower: 650 hp
- Torque: 650 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- 0-60 Time: 3.4 seconds
- Quarter-Mile Time: 11.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 190 mph
Top Speed Isn’t Everything
While TopSpeed may be the leading automotive authority (a slightly biased take), when it comes to American performance cars packing over 500 horsepower, top speed isn’t always the defining factor.
For professional racers in NASCAR or endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, breaking the 200-mph barrier is crucial.
However, most enthusiasts purchasing high-horsepower muscle cars are more concerned with covering the quarter-mile as quickly as possible.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 exemplifies this concept perfectly. While it may not hold the highest top speed in its class, this supercharged Mopar machine is utterly dominant over a 1,320-foot stretch.
It’s an absolute monster in a straight-line sprint, even if it isn’t the fastest car on an open road.
Also Read: Rebuilt Dodge Challenger Demon 170: Stolen Car Transformed into Rare Panther Pink Muscle Tribute
While the Demon 170’s exact top speed isn’t officially documented, it’s likely the slowest among these high-powered machines. But that’s perfectly fine this car was never designed to be a supercar or a grand tourer.
It’s a purebred American muscle car, built with one goal in mind: to obliterate anything that dares to challenge it on the drag strip. And in that regard, it succeeds flawlessly.
Nobody buys a Demon 170 expecting it to hit 215 mph, and no owner is going to complain about that either.