Death of American Muscle? How when we have monsters like the Hellcat, Super Snake and Z-28? It seems like we are in the prime of this new wave of muscle car. This post is preposterous. This filth. Well, people, although we are in a renaissance of American Muscle, this age of fine American beastliness is coming to an end.
As we all know, automakers are required to met certain fuel economy standards by 2020. This means that the required fuel economy target depends on the size of the vehicle. Long story short, cars similar in size to our favorite muscle from the big three aren’t going to be able to get away with less than the required numbers. This is where my rant begins.
First of all, with these standards the V8 is virtually dead unless something happens for the 8 cylinder engines to improve their fuel economy numbers. What does that translate to? Twin Turbo V6s? Don’t get me wrong, a twin turbo six can really make some power and also be efficient. The issue arrises when the Camaro SS, Challenger R/T and Mustang GT come with standard TTV6s and no option of the 6.2L V8, 6.4L Hemi, or the 5.0. Coyote. That makes those cars listed no longer muscle cars and turns them into basic sports cars. As a matter of fact, those nameplates should be retired just because they won’t be true to the original essence.
Secondly, do you really think that someone who buys a muscle car cares about it’s carbon footprint, fuel economy and gas prices? What about the loyalist consumer who live and die by Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs alike? Those are the people that these standards are going to piss off. What will probably happen is these guys might just become the next engineers. Swapping 5.0 Coyotes into 2020 Mustangs, Hellcat crate engines into Challengers or Cudas and Z-28 LS engines into Camaros.
CAFE, EPA and these false alarm evironmental issues threaten our favorite muscle cars. What can we do though. It also leaves questions. Will the newest generations of drivers idolize these twin turbo sports cars? Will they ever know the true power and thrill of true muscle cars? I guess you could find out, in say…five or so years. Maybe then I’ll do graveyard post about muscle cars of this new century.
I’m going to end this post with “text” language and a hastag. #nomorehemi and #smhcafe.
