Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG

Built by Mercedes-Benz's high-performance AMG unit, the S55 AMG is modeled on the S550 platform but offers more speed and performance. Essentially, it's a street ready race car built in limited numbers for the Mercedes enthusiast.

AMG "stuffed" 493 horses and 516 feet-pounds of torque into the V8 engine, allowing it to match a Porsche 911 (recent versions of both cars do zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds). With credential like that, it's no wonder why the engine's designer - Guido Nordheim - signs his name on each power plant.

This is not, however, your typical sports car. The S55 AMG weighs more than 4,000 pounds and, unlike most other AMG models, it has four doors. It holds its own with the two-door AMGs on the race track, "but it is on the wide open highway where this star shines."