The Dodge Challenger a Gas Hog

Back in the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These types of cars shared the same traits : they were 2 door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive 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 car mania is back, in spite of even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and van models from Dodge, there is 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 yesteryear, the Camaro.Besides the Ford Mustang there were a complete host of autos produced that at a previous previous point or another should have been considered a muscle auto. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane five hundred 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; American 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 vehicle together 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 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 whole 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 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. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.So, isn’t it mad to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon in town and fifteen or sixteen miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, although fuel mileage will definitely be lower than lots of other models, the new group of muscle automobiles will still better the previous generation vehicles with fuel mileage eighty percent or more above the cars from the 1970s.Fortunately, we continue to live in a reasonably free country and what the customer wants, the customer gets. So, V8 powered muscle autos paired to six speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will possibly appeal to many. No, they will not be actual copies 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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