Dodge Challenger More Power Speed and Fuel Efficency
Written by man on August 21st, 2009 in Other.
Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many automobiles that were out and out “muscle” cars. These sorts of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were 2 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, despite even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and van models from Dodge, there’s new interest in a class long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.
Besides the Ford Mustang there were an entire host of autos produced that at a previous time or another might have been considered a muscle car. In addition to 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 although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle car 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 automobile time craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang welcomes a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been the Mustang now sells its complete 150,000 model capacity without incentives.
The Mustang has been electrifying DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the States, has been a huge 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 USA auto 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 15 or sixteen miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to PC technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable twenty-eight miles to the gallon the road. So, although fuel mileage will definitely be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation cars 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 buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle vehicles paired to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will probably appeal to several. No, they will not be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle autos, but they are going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.
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