Dodge Challenger More Power Speed and Fuel Efficency

Back in the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many automobiles that were out and out “muscle” vehicles. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel costs and changing tastes ultimately limited sales to the point where only a couple of models were produced beyond that time period. Today, muscle vehicle mania is back, in spite of even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and van models from Dodge, there’s new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle automobile segment as another manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesterday, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of cars produced that at one time or another should have been considered a muscle automobile. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty ; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442 ; Yankee Motors’ had its Javelin ; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives though the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle automobile along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle vehicle age craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been the Mustang now sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept auto, popping up at automobile shows across the States, has been a big hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another auto also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.

So, isn’t it daft to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and fifteen or sixteen m.p.g on the highway. Thanks to PC technology and potency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, though fuel mileage will certainly be lower than plenty of other models, the new group of muscle automobiles will still better the prior generation vehicles with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free country and what the customer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will possibly appeal to several. No, they will not be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle cars, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

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