For decades, muscle cars have roared their way into the hearts of automotive enthusiasts and the fabric of popular culture with their revving engines, screeching tires, and undeniable aura of power....CONTINUE READING
These beasts on four wheels have indeed left an indelible mark on society, from Hollywood blockbusters to iconic songs where they’ve become synonymous with rebellion, freedom, and the pursuit of exhilarating speed.
Two distinct eras stand out in the world of muscle cars: classic and modern. Each era represents a unique chapter in automotive history, with its characteristics and fan base. Classic muscle cars, born in the 1960s and 1970s, draw appreciation for their raw power, iconic designs that will never go out of style, and the nostalgia they evoke.
On the other hand, modern muscle cars are a new breed of machines born in recent years, combining cutting-edge technology, refined performance, and contemporary styling.
These formidable beasts have shattered the limits of what was once thought possible, pushing the boundaries of speed and power to unprecedented heights while breathing new life into a beloved tradition.
10 2008 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee
In 2005, Dodge reintroduced the iconic Charger nameplate after a nearly two-decades-long hiatus. The modern interpretation offers a new full-size sedan configuration with a spacious interior and practical every day use, a departure from the two-door coupe of the original Charger models from the 1960s and 1970s.
Still, the Charger retained its muscular design elements and performance-oriented characteristics, ensuring that the spirit of the Charger as a powerful and dynamic vehicle was still present.
It has since come with several high-performance versions, including the 2008 SRT-8 Super Bee. It was a limited production model, with 1,000 units produced sporting a retro-inspired Super Bee logo on the rear quarter panels and deck lid and boasting a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine pushing 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
9 2019-2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt
The Ford Mustang Bullitt is a special edition variant of the iconic Ford Mustang, paying homage to the famous 1968 Mustang GT fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the classic film, Bullitt.
Ford designed the car to capture the essence of the original movie car while delivering modern performance and style.
While the original Bullitt is a sight to behold, the modern interpretation, introduced in 2001 as a special edition, was equally good. The nameplate showed up again in 2005 and once more in 2019 for the third generation.
It was a favorite among the Mustang trims featuring a slightly powerful 5-liter V8 engine making 480 hp, up to 20 hp more than the standard GT trim. The 2019 Bullitt can launch to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 162 mph.
8 2014-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Throughout the history of the Camaro, Chevrolet has consistently produced high-performance versions of this iconic pony car, and the Z/28 has always stood out.
The first Z/28 came in 1967 as a purpose-built race, a car aimed at beating the SCCA Trans Am. In 2013, Chevy unveiled a Z/28 version for the fifth generation to pay homage to the legendary Z/28 performance package with aggressive styling while delivering track-focused performance and exhilaration.
Under the hood, it packs a Corvette Z06-derived 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine that generates a robust 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. The Z/28 lapped the Nürburgring in 7:37.47, beating some Porsche and Lamborghini models and its supercharged Camaro ZL1 sibling, showing a fine blend of street-legal coupe and race car prowess.
7 2015-2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
In 2015 Ford built the Shelby GT350R to celebrate 50 years of the original 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R, which started a long and successful partnership.
The modern interpretation is a testament to the nameplate’s evolution in its racing DNA. It incorporates advanced technology and creature comforts while retaining and honing the spirit of racing of its ancestor to pose as one of the most excellent track cars Ford has ever built.
At the heart of the GT350R lies a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V8 “Voodoo” engine pushing 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most potent engines ever fitted to a Mustang.
The GT350R also takes performance to the next level with a range of track-oriented enhancements providing exceptional handling and precision control like the specially tuned suspension system, including MagneRide dampers, adjustable sway bars, and stiffer springs.
6 2015-Present Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has been a powerhouse in the automotive world since its introduction in 2015. Under the hood, it boasts a monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine that unleashes a jaw-dropping 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
This immense power makes it the fastest four-door sedan money can buy. It can blast to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at 124 mph on its way to its 203-mph top speed.
It remains unique as America’s only four-door muscle car with all-wheel drive. Furthermore, with the 2023 model, customers can customize their ride to gain more strength with the Jailbreak package, which ups the power to 807 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque.
5 2012-Present Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Under the hood, the Camaro ZL1 packs a punch with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that generates an impressive output of 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in the 2023 model.
This makes for enormous racetrack energy, and it can launch to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds in models with the six-speed manual and 3.5 seconds in the Coupe models with the 10-speed paddle-shift auto.
4 2021-2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Ford has introduced a new Dark Horse trim for the 2024 Mustang, replacing the Mach 1 as the new top-of-the-range track-ready Mustang. It is a shame to see the Mustang Mach 1 go, since few coupes match its balance and capability.
Ford brought back the Mach 1 nameplate to pay homage to its rich heritage while incorporating modern performance and technology. Its last iteration produces 470 hp from a 5-liter V8 engine.
It is blisteringly quick, with a 4.1-second sprint to 60 mph and a quarter-mile time of 12.2 seconds at 112.8 mph. Its braking is more impressive, stopping from 60 mph in just 94 feet, which is among the best stopping distances.
3 2015-2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody
Since its introduction in 2015, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat has proved a true beast among modern muscle cars. Thanks to its powerful engines, impressive performance metrics and striking designs, it has been a great car and an American muscle car icon.
It’s sad to see the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat bow out with the 2023 model. Under its hood, the monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine makes it as intimidating as it is iconic.
It is the epitome of raw power and unapologetic performance, reaching 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The widebody fenders will make you look cool while smoking the competition on the drag track.
2 2020-2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 S550
The current and probably last iteration of the Shelby GT500 holds the title as Ford’s highest horsepower production vehicle, with its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine generating an astonishing 760 horsepower.
This figure rivals the best Italian supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini, and more than the Ford GT supercar, only for a fraction of their price.
Still, the GT500’s performance doesn’t stop at straight-line speed. It features advanced handling and suspension systems, including magnetic ride control, electronic limited-slip differential, and track-focused chassis enhancements.
This ensures exceptional cornering capabilities, precise control, and an exhilarating driving experience on both the street and the track.
1 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the most powerful production muscle car ever. With its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine delivering a staggering 840 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of torque, the SRT Demon surpasses all other muscle cars in raw power.
It is purpose-built for straight-line speed, an actual 10-second car that obliterates the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds at 140 mph, setting a new record for a production car.
Dodge is bringing the Demon back as part of the Last Call special editions with the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, which rewrites the muscle car rule book with a V8 churning out a tire-shredding 1,025 horsepower..CONTINUE READING>>
