The 3 kings of Muscle Cars

The 3 kings of Muscle Cars

   

1 . Ford Mustang

The iconic Mustang—with its classic pony-car looks and hunkered-down stance—preserves a legacy that defines American motoring. A 300-hp 3.7-liter V-6, a 310-hp 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, and a 435-hp 5.0-liter V-8 are all offered with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. An independent rear suspension improves its ride and provides better cornering. In either coupe or convertible form, the Mustang appeals without compromising its heritage. For 2015, the GT model made our 10Best list.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible

PRICE AS TESTED: $48,890 (base price: $42,625)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 302 cu in, 4951 cc
Power: 435 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 400 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm

TRANSMISSION:6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 188.3 in
Width: 75.4 in Height: 54.9 in
Passenger volume: 81 cu ft
Cargo volume: 11 cu ft
Curb weight: 3948 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 19.4 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 12.5 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 11.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.2 sec @ 110 mph
Top speed (mfr's est): 155 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 157 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 15/25 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg

2 . Chevrolet Camaro

Nothing turns heads like a muscle car, and the Camaro is no exception—behold its striking coupe or convertible styling, rowdy exhaust note, and rubber-burning attitude. The LS and LT feature a 323-hp 3.6-liter V-6; the SS gets a 426-hp 6.2-liter V-8. A six-speed manual is standard on all; a six-speed auto is optional, but on the SS it gets just 400 hp. The 1LE option for SS coupes has unique gearing, suspension, and tires with the manual only. An all-new Camaro is due in late 2015.

Price: $24,700 - $43,400

3 . Dodge Challenger

Updated for 2015, the Challenger is still a big bruiser, with V-8 power, heft better suited to cruising and hooking up at the strip than on a race track, and unmistakable looks. Powertrains include a 3.6-liter V-6 and a new eight-speed auto; 5.7- and 6.4-liter V-8s with a six-speed stick or eight-speed auto are available. The SRT, reviewed separately, is the muscle car in the family. For buyers without an unlimited budget, we think the R/T manual is the real performance deal in the bunch.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $39,490 (base price: $39,490)

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 392 cu in, 6417 cc
Power: 485 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 475 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 116.2 in
Length: 198.0 in
Width: 75.7 in Height:55.9 in
Curb weight: 4226 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 16.8 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 27.0 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.8 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 11.5 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 11.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 113 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 176 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 151 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 14/23 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg