COLUMNS DRIVEN SEPTEMBER 2005
WORDS BY JIM GORZELANY
MUSCLE-BOUND!
A thoroughly modern crop of muscle cars is pumped up and hitting the streets with authority for 2006.
It’s a simple formula: Jam as large an engine as possible under an otherwise ordinary car’s hood and throw in a few performance-minded suspension, steering and brake upgrades. The so-called muscle car is a time-honored tradition, particularly among US auto manufacturers, who back in the ’60s perfected the art of building big-motored machines that could blow past almost anything else on the road. The genre is now roaring back to life, adding an exhilarating element to everyday motoring.
Ford SVT Shelby G500 Mustang
While Ford’s Mustang carries retro-flavored styling that’s reminiscent of the 1967 original, the new SVT Shelby G500 version turns this “pony car” into a certified stallion. Developed in conjunction with racing legend Carroll Shelby, a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine will deliver over 450 horsepower and 450 lbs/ft of torque to the rear wheels when the coupe premieres early next year. www.ford.com, MSRP: $40,000.
Chevrolet Impala SS/Monte Carlo SS
Completely redesigned, the full-size Chevrolet Impala sedan and Monte Carlo coupe offer their first V-8 engines in over a decade in their top SS variations. Both offer a 5.3-liter version of Chevy’s celebrated small-block V-8 engine that generates a brisk 303 horsepower. What’s more, the V-8 utilizes a “displacement on demand” function that shuts down select cylinders when not otherwise needed to help boost fuel economy. www.chevrolet.com, MSRP: $30,000.
Cadillac STS-V
This luxury sedan’s new top model packs a supercharged 4.4-liter dual overhead cam Northstar V-8 engine that generates a blazing 440 horsepower and 430 lbs/ft of torque, which enables it to leap from zero to 60mph in just under five seconds. The V-8 drives the rear wheels via a new six-speed automatic transmission, and the car rides on a specifically tuned chassis that maximizes its cornering abilities without creating an unduly harsh ride. www.cadillac.com, MSRP: $60,000.
Dodge Charger SRT8
A new SRT8 version of the recently reintroduced Dodge Charger slips the full-size sedan into high gear with its 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The otherwise plush and stately looking rear-drive SRT8 can rocket from zero to 60mph in around five seconds. A specially tuned electronic stability program is on board to afford handling that’s both sporty and secure. With its infusion of Street and Racing Technology (SRT), the Charger gives performance freaks everything they need in a muscle sedan. www.dodge.com, MSRP: $35,000.
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
To show that vehicular muscle knows no boundaries in terms of cost, class or nationality, Mercedes-Benz is infusing its flagship S-Class with unbridled power in the new SL65 AMG. Its 6.5-liter V-12 engine generates an astounding 604 horsepower and can rocket the stately sedan to 60mph in a landscape-blurring 4.2 seconds. In addition to other operational improvements, the SL65 AMG comes with a nearly inexhaustible list of safety, comfort and convenience features. www.mbusa.com, MSRP: $150,000.