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/ Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Enjoy the V8 muscle car while it’s still around
The twilight of the V8 coupe
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Nick Yekikian, The Associated Press
t isn’t hard to see that the writing is on the wall for the V8-powered performance coupe. Tightening fuel economy and emissions standards, rising gas prices and the arrival of performance-oriented electric vehicles all point to the end of this famous automotive recipe. When the end will come, we don’t know exactly. But even Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis acknowledged last year in an interview with CNBC that, “The days of an iron block supercharged 6.2-liter V8 are numbered.” So, the car enthusiast’s dilemma might be: Should I The 2022 Ford Mustang, an iconic pony car that has a few V8 engines to choose from. >Courbuy one now? Whether it’s their tesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP distinctive rumbly soundtrack The Challenger or sleek bodywork, these Challenger. It easily looks the re-creates the classic coupes manage to stir the soul. part and even offers not one American muscle car With that in mind, Edmunds’ but three different V8s. There’s experience and even editors took a look at the up to 807 horsepower at your offers not one, but V8-powered cars still on sale right foot’s disposal from the three different V8s. today and picked the best to supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the highlight here. We’ve organized Hellcat Redeye, but our pick is the list in ascending order of the R/T Scat Pack Widebody. manufacturer’s suggested retail Its 6.4-liter V8 is good for 485 price, which includes the destination charge. horsepower, and the Widebody’s wider tires and flared fenders give the Challenger some added visual presence. This big coupe isn’t as nimble 2022 FORD MUSTANG around turns as the Mustang, but on the open road, The Mustang has had an undeniable effect As a larger sedan than its competition, the 2022 Dodge it sets the bar for big, silly fun. on American popular culture, automotive and Challenger is more suited to daily driving than perhaps Starting MSRP: $52,745 otherwise, for nearly 60 years. Today, the Shelby most V8 coupes. > Courtesy of Stellantis via AP GT500 sits atop the Mustang range with its 760-horsepower supercharged V8. However, just be the best-looking car on this list and it has an 2022 CHEVROLET CORVETTE the standard Mustang GT’s 450-pony 5.0-liter V8 exhaust note to match. The only drawback is the The Chevy Corvette has been powered by a V8 is a better value and a powerhouse in its own F-Type’s technology, which isn’t user-friendly and for the majority of its existence. Today, the Corvette right. Other advantages include many standard had a few issues in Edmunds’ testing. can be had with two V8s. The standard car features technology features and precise and grippy Starting MSRP: $72,450 a 6.2-liter unit that makes up to 495 horsepower. handling. On the downside, the Mustang’s rear seats If that isn’t enough to stir your coffee, the 2023 are quite cramped, but that’s a small price to pay to Corvette Z06 features the most powerful non2021 LEXUS LC 500 own this American icon. turbocharged V8 — with 670 horsepower — ever While most of the Lexus lineup is powered by Starting MSRP: $37,645 placed in a production car. The Z06 goes on sale late four- or six-cylinder engines, the LC 500 features this year. The latest Corvette’s mid-engine design has a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. Unlike the brawny caused some visibility and ease-of-entry issues, but 2022 DODGE CHALLENGER Mustang or Challenger, the LC 500 is a luxurious all around the Corvette stands out with its exotic-like grand tourer that puts a premium on overall No other modern coupe better re-creates the performance. classic American muscle car experience than the excellence and long-haul comfort. Just don’t take too Starting MSRP: $62,145 many items with you on a road trip since the LC has the smallest trunk in this bunch. It’s also the most expensive car on our list. However, thanks to its sing2022 JAGUAR F-TYPE song V8 soundtrack and stunning interior design, the The Jaguar F-Type has been on sale since LC is worth the price. 2015, and Jaguar has tried an array of powertrain Starting MSRP: $94,625 combinations to try to sell it. For 2022, though, the The clock is ticking, though, and if you’re F-Type is V8-only. You can still have either a coupe or a convertible, with either rear- or all-wheel drive, interested in an eight-cylinder engine, you might want to act fast. too. The one to go for is probably the R-badged Tim Kuniskis, CEO for Dodge This story was provided to The Associated Press by coupe. Its supercharged 444-horsepower V8 isn’t the automotive website Edmunds. the most powerful option on this list, but it might
In fact,
The days of an iron block supercharged 6.2-liter V8 are numbered.
