Just a year or two ago, a muscle car was expected to have a V8 engine. Most muscle cars had a V6 available, and, in more recent years, a turbocharged 4-cylinder was common as well. But a V8 at the highest trims was an assumption.
Today, it’s news.
Ford today teased the sound of its next-generation Mustang — a 16-second video posted to Twitter features the distinctive growl of a V8 revving, followed by the squeal of tires. That’s it. That’s the news.
It’s news because Dodge has announced that it will no longer build V8-powered muscle cars after the 2023 model year. The company has begun a farewell tour for its rough Challenger 2-door, featuring a series of “Last Call” special editions. The first was announced last week, with six more to follow in regular drops throughout the final production year.
Chevrolet hasn’t announced anything about the future of the Camaro. Persistent auto industry rumors say GM’s big muscle car may be endangered.
But Ford will premier an all-new Mustang on Sept. 14. We’re hearing that the new design is an evolution of the current, retro-inspired theme. And we’re hearing that V8. That’s all the news for now. But marvel with us for a moment that we’re living in a world where Ford — builder of the not-a-Mustang, all-electric Mustang Mach-E — is trolling Dodge because the latter has put an end to the Hemi.
What’s next for Dodge? An electric muscle car.
