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Muscle Cars Performance
American iron, V8 engines, and the quarter mile. Where torque meets heavy metal.
No Replacement for Displacement
Muscle cars are historically defined by one metric: Cost per Horsepower. They prioritize large displacement V8 engines and straight-line acceleration over cornering finesse.
Modern muscle cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) have evolved. While they remain heavy (often 1,700kg+), their power outputs have skyrocketed to 450hp+, keeping their power-to-weight ratios competitive with European sports cars costing twice as much.
Muscle Eras
- Golden Era (e.g., '69 Charger) ~150 hp/ton (Gross)
- Revival Era (e.g., '05 Mustang GT) ~190 hp/ton
- Supercharged Era (e.g., Hellcat) ~350+ hp/ton
Quarter Mile Kings
The ultimate benchmark for a muscle car is the 1/4 mile ET.
Grip
Wide rear tires are essential to put 500+ lb-ft of torque to
the ground.
Weight Transfer
Softer rear suspension helps transfer weight to rear tires on
launch.
Aerodynamics
Often shaped like bricks; power overcomes drag until high
speeds.