Muscle cars started getting enormous attention in the 1960s, and the following years brought us some exceptional designs and high-performance vehicles. Some of the old muscle cars, like the 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, received a classic status and sold for millions of dollars. Over the years, the muscle car segment thrived, unlike how we have seen innovations in supercars, SUVs, and electrification. That said, the modern muscle cars are now equipped with the latest technologies, upscale and comfortable interiors, and lots of driver assistance features to make the drives more poised, safer, and convenient.
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Modern Muscle Cars Of Contemporary Times
Today, we bring you modern muscle cars boasting eye-catching designs, mind-boggling performance and handling, innovative tech, and of course, the insane speed satisfying your adrenaline rush.
1. Dodge Challenger Scat Pack
One of the most modern muscle cars with styling inspired by the 1970 Challenger, the Scat Pack features a huge, ominous grille and performance chops that every muscle car enthusiast loves to explore.
Of course, there are plenty of other Challenger models in the range, including the Hellcat and Demon, but the Scat Pack is for someone seeking affordable performance. The 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi is one of the finest horsepower-per-dollar mills accessible right now.
Do not forget the Brembo performance brakes, a tougher suspension, and launch control complementing the beefy powerplant!
Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Specs:
| Engine | 6.4-liter Hemi engine |
| Horsepower | 485 horsepower |
| Torque | 475 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.2 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 11.7 seconds at 115 mph |
| Top speed | 174 mph |
2. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Demon in designation and demonic by class. The Challenger SRT Demon boasts some exceptional power – 840 horsepower on race fuel, to be exact. That’s what we generally get from a supercar! So, expect the SRT Demon to beat most of them on a race track. Dodge claims a 0 to 60 mph run in just 2.3 seconds and a quarter-mile in 9.5 seconds.
The SRT Demon is definitely a shining example of muscle car capabilities with the potential to become a collector’s car.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon specs:
| Engine | 6.2-L turbo V8 |
| Horsepower | 808 hp (with 91 octane fuel) / 840 horsepower (with 100 octane fuel or higher) |
| Torque | 770 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 2.3 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 9.65 seconds at 140.09 mph |
| Top speed | Over 200 mph |
3. Dodge Challenger R/T
Staying within affordable means and having the ability to rev your engine for every spotlight, the Challenger R/T offers a classic muscle car feel. The power comes from the familiar 5.7L V8 creating 372 hp with the automatic transmission or 375 hp with a six-speed manual.
The seats and center console armrest are comfortable and appropriate for every muscle commute. Besides sound-deadening materials used for a convenient ride, you can still enjoy the sound from the six-speaker audio system.
The standard facilities comprise:
- A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2018 versions and newer)
- Power driver’s seat
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Fog lights
Dodge Challenger R/T Specs:
| Engine | 5.7-liter V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 375 horsepower |
| Torque | 410 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.8 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 13.6 seconds at 106.3 mph |
| Top speed | 141 mph |
4. Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R
Many people still visualize the Ford Mustangs when they hear the words, modern muscle cars. While the Mustang isn’t the first in this segment, it is still one of the best muscle cars on the market. Add “Shelby” into the mix, and you will get the most suitable and high-revving muscle machine you have ever dreamed of.
The Shelby Mustangs are as old as the Mustang nameplate itself, and if you are someone who seeks pure muscle under the hood, you got to pick one of the Mustangs from Shelby. Our top pick for modern muscle cars is the Shelby Mustang GT350R.
It is a brawnier version of the Shelby GT350. While the power comes from the same 5.2-liter V8 available in the GT350 yielding 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, the GT350R is the quicker of the two. The reason is the carbon fiber rear wing and more prominent splitter, generating more downforce than the GT350. The better aerodynamics gives the GT350R the ability to zoom to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds.
Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R Specs:
| Engine | 5.2-liter V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 526 horsepower |
| Torque | 429 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 3.8 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 12.5 seconds at 119 mph |
| Top speed | 180 mph |
5. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
If you are skeptical about the Charger’s muscle car status, you are not alone. Yes, it is a genuine Dodge pony car by its heritage, but you add SRT Hellcat into the mix, and you see the most powerful muscle car in the Charger lineup.
The Charger has been around for some time and is accessible in various flavors. However, with the SRT Hellcat, the Charger evolved to hit its top ranks, courtesy of the mighty 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 churning out an outrageous 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. With this power, the Charger SRT Hellcat can beat almost all muscle cars out there. Just hit the pedal, and it will hurry you to 60 in only 3.6 seconds and top out at 196 mph.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Specs:
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 707 horsepower |
| Torque | 650 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 3.6 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 10.96 seconds |
| Top speed | 196 mph |
6. Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 2
Over the years, Ford released the Mustang in many flavors, and there are a few that couldn’t get the due attention and love they deserve. The Mustang GT Performance Pack 2 is one of them and is undoubtedly one of the most rounded Mustangs the company has introduced lately.
When you see the GT Performance Pack 2 specs on paper, you find it is just like any other Mustang GT. Yes, the Performance Pack 2 gets the same 5.0-liter Coyote V8 mill as accessible in other Mustang GTs, generating 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. However, there are some noticeable differences that you won’t see on the brochure. We are talking about its low weight, beefy brakes, superb handling, and versatile driving dynamics.
Once you drive it, you will know it is a sleeper Mustang that won’t let you sleep in it.
Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 2 specs:
| Engine | 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 460 horsepower |
| Torque | 420 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.5 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time | 12.6 seconds at 113.5 mph |
| Top speed | 155 mph |
7. Equus Bass 770
So far, we have only talked about modern muscle cars from Dodge and Ford. Yes, they are the mainstream muscle cars, but there are a few other worthy mentions that truly deserve our consideration. The Equus Bass 770 is one of them, unveiled in 2014, taking cues from the Mustang, Camaro, and Charger.
Even the powerplant was taken from the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. It was actually Chevy’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 making a massive 640 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque, delivering a 0 to 60 sprint in just 3.4 seconds. What else does it require to make the modern muscle cars list?
Equus Bass 770 Specs
| Engine | The 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 640 horsepower |
| Torque | 605 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 3.4 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time: | n/a |
| Top speed | Over 200 mph |
8. Pontiac GTO
Many of you might have heard the name ‘Pontiac’ for the first time. However, muscle car fans from the past know about the brand very well. Some even believe Pontiac made the first muscle car at the start of 1960.
The Pontiac GTO remained in production for almost 46 years and retired in 2006. Of course, you cannot term it a modern muscle car when we analyze it with other entries on this list, but we must pay homage to this iconic nameplate.
The 2006 Pontiac GTO was the last model from the brand featuring a 6.0-liter V8 engine creating 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
At a time when Mustang was striving, and the Camaro was experiencing nearly a decade-long sabbatical, the GTO was amusing the muscle car enthusiasts. It was quick on its toes, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 13.3 seconds. With a healthy torque available at the start, it was also an excellent car for drag racing.
The GTO name has been around since the invention of the muscle car segment, and Pontiac is the second automaker other than Ferrari that brought great success to the GTO nameplate.
Pontiac GTO specifications:
| Engine | 6.2-liter V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 400 horsepower |
| Torque | 400 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.8 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time: | 13.3 seconds at 105.9 mph |
| Top speed | 170 mph |
9. 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
We highly recommend the Camaro LT1 and the Challenger Scat Pack for reasonable muscle car performance. However, for supreme road-and-track performance, you should look no other than the Mustang Shelby GT500. The 2022 model features a 760-horsepower supercharged V8 that sends power to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The powertrain enables the GT500 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. Other than outstanding straight-line acceleration, the speed machine boasts magnetic ride control, Brembo brakes, performance rubber, and a race-enthused chassis. Ford has covered all these desirable features in an aerodynamic body that looks stunning and functional.
From a collection perspective, we highly suggest going for the Heritage Edition. It was made to commemorate the vehicle’s 55th birthday and sports striking Brittany Blue paint.
While the 2022 Shelby GT500 is an epitome of modern muscle and engineering prowess, it’s important to acknowledge the roots from which this lineage sprouted. Back in 1967, the original Shelby GT500 took the automotive world by storm with its commanding presence, equipped with a 7.0-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower. Its iconic design and exhilarating performance set a precedent that continues to influence modern muscle cars like the 2022 GT500. The legacy of the 1967 Shelby GT500 lives on, reminding us of the enduring passion for power and performance deeply embedded in the Mustang’s DNA.
Mustang Shelby GT500 specs:
| Engine | 5.2-liter Supercharged V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 760 horsepower |
| Torque | 625 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 3.5 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time: | 11.3 sec @132 mph |
| Top speed | 180 mph |
10. Ford Mustang Mach 1
Ford made the new Mustang Mach 1 to recall the glory days of muscle cars. In its modern avatar, it uses GT’s powertrain and performance upgrades of the GT500 for a mean muscle machine. Under the hood is the modified iteration of the Coyote 5.0-liter V8 mill, producing 480 horsepower (20 extra than the GT).
Furthermore, the new 2022 Mach 1 comes with a bevy of improvements, including durable front springs, a bigger rear sway bar, magnetic ride control, an active exhaust, and Brembo performance brakes.
Other highly desirable facilities comprise a Torsen limited-slip differential, an updated air intake, a bigger radiator, summer-only tires, and a rearranged steering and chassis. All these changes make Mach 1 a purposeful pony car.
Mustang Mach 1 specs:
| Engine | 5.0-liter Supercharged V-8 engine |
| Horsepower | 480 horsepower |
| Torque | 420 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.3 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time: | 12.6-second at 115 mph |
| Top speed | 166 mph |
11. Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance
If the combustion-powered modern muscle cars aren’t your thing, embrace the new Ford Mustang Mach-E. The fully electric SUV combines the two names “Mustang” and “Mach” to hint at the vehicle’s core performance DNA.
Ford offers a range of models with different power outputs and drive ranges. For one of the best modern muscle cars in the electric realm, we picked the Mach-E GT Performance. The utility vehicle can dash to 60 mph from a standstill position in only 3.5 seconds and cover 260 miles between charges. Even with heavy batteries, Ford’s clever engineering makes it highly capable through hard corners, delivering poised handling.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance specifications:
| Engine | 98.8 kWh |
| Horsepower | 480 horsepower |
| Torque | 634 pound-feet |
| 0 to 60 mph | 3.5 seconds |
| Quarter-mile time: | 12.6 seconds 100.6 mph |
| Top speed | 124 mph |
FAQs
What is the most popular muscle car today?
1. Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R
2. Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 2
3. 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
4. Dodge Challenger Scat Pack
5. Equus Bass 770
6. Pontiac GTO
7. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
De
What ended the muscle car era?
1. Government Regulations
2. Insurance Costs
3. Rising Fuel Prices
4. Economic Factors
Are there any modern muscle cars?
1. Ford Mustang
2. Chevrolet Camaro
3. Dodge Challenger
Final Words
If you seek to find a car that delivers pure power on an open road, you must explore the muscle car genre. The modern muscle cars are a lot superior to those of yesteryears, boasting insane power, comfortable interiors, convenient tech, advanced safety systems, and more poised handling. Our modern muscle car list will surely enable you to pick the one that suits your taste.
