US Sport Cars Back to 70’s

It’s already 2009 but it feels like 1969 for the US muscle car fans. Because the legendary models are being revived again. Yes the big three—Ford, General Motors and Chrysler decided to remodel their sport cars to which one that resembles again the 70’s model. They are Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Corvette.

Forget about the global crises for a while. Turbo is prohibited for American engine, they prefer the naturally aspirated one, so no wonder that US muscle car has big size engine and it means the fuel consumption make you to empty every pocket you have, but that’s the price to feel again the legend.

Ford Mustang

Classic Mustang (left), New Mustang (right)

Mustang officially launched at 1964, since now there are five generations of the legendary pony car. The first generation is made famous by it’s appearance at several movies including the James Bond Goldfinger and Bullit by Steve McQueen.

At 2005 Ford produced it’s fifth generation Mustang which design bring us back into the first generation, the Fastback Mustang. The retro design that brings back the memories is the power to grab the consumers, Ford even make McQueen “back to live” at one of Mustang’s ad.

There are two type of engine that Ford offered, the 4.0 liters V-6 and the 4.6 V-8, available in coupe or convertible body. The Mustang is prepared to go through model revision at 2010, which you could look at it’s official website.

Dodge Challenger

Classic Challenger (left), New Challenger (right)

Challenger first appearance was at 1970, the famous first generation wasn’t exist in the market for a long time, at 1974 Chrysler stopped Challenger’s production due to the deteriorated pony car market. The Challenger name revived at 1978 along with the Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda) and Plymouth Sapporo, no longer high performance V-8 but the 2.6 liters engine 4 cylinders engine. This model lasted until 1983, after that there’s no Challenger again in Chrysler line-ups.

Challenger is bring back to life (again) in 2008. Inspired by the first generation design, Chrysler brings back the legend to live again along with the high performance 6.1 liters V-8 HEMI engine. There are three models offered, SE, R/T, SRT8, all in the 2-Door coupe body.

Chevrolet Camaro

Classic Camaro (left), New Camaro (right)

First generation of Camaro appeared at 1966, until now this Chevy’s pony car is still being produced and reach the 4^th generation. The brand new generation will be available in the market at spring 2009 as 2010 model, despite the concept has already introduced at 2006.

The model is known as the appearance in the Transformers film at 2007. In the film Camaro is the camouflage of Autobots’s member Bumblebee which portrayed as classic 1976 one and later changed into the 2010 version.

Autobot Bumblebee as Yellow Camaro 2010

Which one you like the most? That’s depends on your preferences (and maybe some good memories with the classic one). Here’s the brief specification for a further reference.

Specifications	Ford Mustang	Dodge Challenger	Chevrolet Camaro
Dimensions
Length	4,765 mm	5,022 mm	4,836 mm
Width	1,877 mm	1,923 mm	1,918 mm
Height	1,407 mm	1,448 mm	1,377 mm
Wheelbase	2,720 mm	2,946 mm	2,852 mm
Performance
Engine Size	4.6 liters	6.1 liters	6.2 liters
Configuration	V-8	V-8	V-8
Horsepower	300 hp	425 hp	426 hp
HP RPM	5,750 rpm	6,200 rpm	5,900 rpm
Torque	433 Nm	569 Nm	569 Nm
Torque RPM	4,500 rpm	4,800 rpm	4,600 rpm
Drivetype	RWD	RWD	RWD
Fuel
Tank Capacity	60.6 liters	71.9 liters	71.9 liters
Cons. (City)	6.38 km/l	5.53 km/l	6.80 km/l
Cons. (Hgwy)	9.78 km/l	8.08 km/l	10.63 km/l

Note :

• All specifications are based on 2 doors coupe models top of the line
• The data based on 2009 model except for Camaro which is 2010

—
Anton Hermansyah