What comes to mind when we mention names like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Charger? Yes, extremely powerful, noisy cars that are the object of desire of many enthusiasts around the world. These models have many things in common, but the main thing is how they are called and recognized in their home market, the United States: the muscle cars.
The name is as simple as the description of these cars. They are called muscle cars — or muscle cars in the free translation — precisely because they look sturdier, stronger, big wheels, engines, usually very noisy V8 or V6, rear-wheel drive and two doors.
In the 1960s, when this concept of car emerged and began to become popular among North Americans, established names already appeared and remain until today, such as the most famous Mustang and Camaro, and many other very interesting and equally passionate ones like Ford Maverick, Dodge Charger and Pontiac GTO.
How is a Muscle Car?
Os muscle cars They are really powerful cars with a lot of sporty appeal. Until the mid-2000s, they were even considered indomitable cars, due to their strength and rear-wheel drive, which requires a certain amount of care from the driver depending on the speed. But, with the advancement of technology, these models, nowadays, are more user-friendly and allow the use of more casual people.
Generally, the muscle cars are equipped with a naturally aspirated V8 engine, as is the case with the current Ford Mustang Mach 1, equipped with the famous 5.0 V8 Coyote engine with 483 hp and 56.7 kgf/m of torque. Its great rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, also has a V8, the 6.2 with 461hp and 62.9 kgf/m.
When one of these models uses some compression booster in the V8 engine, like the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, things get even stronger. This model, which had its last generation launched in 2018, is equipped with a 6.2 liter V8 engine with supercharger compressor, the same one that equips the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. With this engine, the bolide has 717hp and 89.8 kgf/m of torque.
The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h of these models is also impressive:
- Ford Mustang Mach 1: 4,3s
- Chevrolet Camaro: 4,2s
- Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat: 3,7s
How much does a Muscle Car cost?
In the United States, since the 1960s, muscle cars are cars that manage to combine performance, sportiness and cost-effectiveness. They are not very expensive cars if we compare them with more spicy and luxurious sports cars, which exceed US$ 100,000. For example: a Mustang Mach 1 starts at US$ 58,000 (R$ 295,000).
Here in Brazil, this reality changes. The same Mustang costs no less than R$500,000. The same goes for the Camaro, which can be found for just over half a million reais.
