• A powerful engine is one thing all fast cars share.chrome engine image by Thomas Czeizinger from Fotolia.com
  
  There are many different ways to judge the value of a car. However, for some enthusiasts the only thing that matters is speed. Aside from the specialty and experimental land speed record vehicles, there are several high-performance production cars that vie for the title or world's fastest car.
  
  

SSC Ultimate Aero

• The SSC Ultimate Aero has held the title of world's fastest car, according to the Guinness Book of Records, since 2007. It's twin-turbo V8 engine gives it a certified top speed of 257 mph, and it can accelerate from zero to 60 in 2.7 seconds. Buyers can put one in their garage for just over $654,000.
  
  

Bugatti Veyron

• The Veyron, from Italian automaker Bugatti, was the record holder before the SSC Ultimate Aero came along. It can drive at 253 mph and actually accelerates faster than the SSC Ultimate Aero, with a zero-to-60 time of 2.5 seconds. The Bugatti Veyron uses a powerful 16-cylinder engine.
  
  

Saleen S7

• The Saleen S7 is another twin-turbo supercar that ranks near the top of any list of the fastest cars. It has been clocked at 248 mph and a 3.2 second zero-to-60 time. The Saleen S7 uses a lightweight aluminum V8 engine
  
  

Koenigsegg CCX

• The CCX is the latest sports car design from Swedish automaker Koenigsegg. It has a top speed of 245 mph and can go from zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds. The Koenigsegg CCX uses an 800-plus horsepower V8 engine.
  
  

Koenigsegg CCR

• The Koenigsegg CCR preceded the CCX and is still only slightly behind it in terms of speed performance. The CCR can do 242 mph, largely due to its distinctive, curvy body panels, which result in very little wind resistance.
  
  

McLaren F1

• The McLaren F1 is a 240 mph sports car with a zero-to-60 acceleration time of around 3.2 seconds. It uses a conventional BMW S70/2 V12 Engine that produces 627 horsepower. The F1's $970,000 price tag is so high because of its use of a high-tech, lightweight carbon fiber chassis.
  
  

Jaguar XJ220

• Jaguar's XJ220 is unique in that is uses a twin turbo V6 engine, rather than a larger powerplant, to get to 217 mph. Its 542 horsepower is also modest by supercar standards. However, it still takes its place among the fastest cars in the world, despite having been produced all the way back in 1992.
  
  

Ferrari Enzo

• The Ferrari Enzo is the current top-of-the-line offering from the famed Italian automaker. Named after the company's founder, it has a top speed of 217 mph and goes from zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds. The Ferrari Enzo is a rare collectible with less than 400 models ever produced.
  
  

Pagani Zonda F

• The Pagani Zonda F has a V12 engine from Mercedes-Benz and uses 650 horsepower to get all the way to 215 mph. It is notable for its unique design, which includes a short, sloping hood, a single windshield wiper, an aircraft-like rear wing and prominent side mirrors on long wire arms.
  
  

Lamborghini Murcielago

• Rounding out the list of the world's 10 fastest cars is the Lamborghini Murcielago. The current model, known as the LP640, can drive at 211 mph. It has classic Lamborghini styling and sells for a relatively reasonable $430,000.