5 Big Honkin' V8s

The engine of the redesigned 2009 CTS-V is not only big, at 6.2 liters, it's supercharged to make 556 horsepower at 6100 rpm. The rumbling song of a big V8 backed up by the thrilling whine of a supercharger is unique - there is none better.

As we climbed out of this car, we were left quite impressed. With the magnetic shocks on their firmest setting, the car rode quite firmly on the track, where we would have appreciated the 6-speed manual over the 6-speed automatic and its paddle shifters. With a butt whipping 551 pound-feet of torque at 3800 rpm, the Cadillac can be a handful if you disable its excellent stability control system. It's satisfying, but not easy. Thank heaven for the Brembo brakes, with six-piston calipers front and four-piston rear.

The CTS-V set a lap record for production sedans during testing at the Nurburgring, driven by its helluva development engineer, John Heinricy.

If you need your V8 with four doors, the CTS-V could be first on this list. Especially in black with a black mesh grille.