7 minute read
the muscle caR: a vanishing bReed
/ Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Enjoy the V8 muscle car while it’s still around
The twilight of the V8 coupe
Nick Yekikian, The Associated Press
It 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 buy one now? Whether it’s their distinctive rumbly soundtrack or sleek bodywork, these coupes manage to stir the soul. With that in mind, Edmunds’ editors took a look at the V8-powered cars still on sale today and picked the best to highlight here. We’ve organized the list in ascending order of manufacturer’s suggested retail price, which includes the destination charge.
2022 FORD MUSTANG
The Mustang has had an undeniable effect on American popular culture, automotive and otherwise, for nearly 60 years. Today, the Shelby GT500 sits atop the Mustang range with its 760-horsepower supercharged V8. However, the standard Mustang GT’s 450-pony 5.0-liter V8 is a better value and a powerhouse in its own right. Other advantages include many standard technology features and precise and grippy handling. On the downside, the Mustang’s rear seats are quite cramped, but that’s a small price to pay to own this American icon.
Starting MSRP: $37,645
2022 DODGE CHALLENGER
No other modern coupe better re-creates the classic American muscle car experience than the Challenger. It easily looks the part and even offers not one but three different V8s. There’s up to 807 horsepower at your right foot’s disposal from the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Hellcat Redeye, but our pick is the R/T Scat Pack Widebody. Its 6.4-liter V8 is good for 485 horsepower, and the Widebody’s wider tires and flared fenders give the Challenger some added visual presence. This big coupe isn’t as nimble around turns as the Mustang, but on the open road, it sets the bar for big, silly fun.
Starting MSRP: $52,745
2022 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
The Chevy Corvette has been powered by a V8 for the majority of its existence. Today, the Corvette can be had with two V8s. The standard car features a 6.2-liter unit that makes up to 495 horsepower. If that isn’t enough to stir your coffee, the 2023 Corvette Z06 features the most powerful nonturbocharged V8 — with 670 horsepower — ever placed in a production car. The Z06 goes on sale late this year. The latest Corvette’s mid-engine design has caused some visibility and ease-of-entry issues, but all around the Corvette stands out with its exotic-like performance.
Starting MSRP: $62,145 2022 JAGUAR F-TYPE
The Jaguar F-Type has been on sale since 2015, and Jaguar has tried an array of powertrain combinations to try to sell it. For 2022, though, the F-Type is V8-only. You can still have either a coupe or a convertible, with either rear- or all-wheel drive, too. The one to go for is probably the R-badged coupe. Its supercharged 444-horsepower V8 isn’t the most powerful option on this list, but it might
just be the best-looking car on this list and it has an exhaust note to match. The only drawback is the F-Type’s technology, which isn’t user-friendly and had a few issues in Edmunds’ testing. Starting MSRP: $72,450
2021 LEXUS LC 500
While most of the Lexus lineup is powered by four- or six-cylinder engines, the LC 500 features a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. Unlike the brawny Mustang or Challenger, the LC 500 is a luxurious grand tourer that puts a premium on overall excellence and long-haul comfort. Just don’t take too 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 singsong V8 soundtrack and stunning interior design, the The days of an iron block LC is worth the price. supercharged 6.2-liter V8 are Starting MSRP: $94,625 The clock is ticking, though, and if you’re numbered. Tim Kuniskis, CEO for Dodge interested in an eight-cylinder engine, you might want to act fast. This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.
In fact,
The 2022 Ford Mustang, an iconic pony car that has a few V8 engines to choose from. >CourThe Challenger tesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP re-creates the classic American muscle car experience and even offers not one, but three different V8s. As a larger sedan than its competition, the 2022 Dodge Challenger is more suited to daily driving than perhaps most V8 coupes. > Courtesy of Stellantis via AP
It’s been two years since the largest free festival and showcase of Louisiana music, food and culture has taken place in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to cancel the event in 2020 and last year. >Kathleen Flynn/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP
French Quarter Festival returns after two-year COVID hiatus
The Associated Press
It’s been two years since the largest free festival and showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture has taken place in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
But that changes in April, when the 2022 French Quarter Festival returns. The coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to cancel the event in 2020 and last year.
“We have worked and waited patiently and now the countdown to our 2022 spring festival has officially begun,” said Emily Madero, president and chief executive of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., the nonprofit that produces the event. “We are returning strong with over 1,800 local musicians, more than 50 chefs and restaurants, new interactive fan experiences, and evening programming across the city. FQFI is proud to kick off the festival season in New Orleans with a truly authentic celebration, and we welcome everyone to join us for an unforgettable four days.” Thousands of people are expected to fill the French Quarter, from the Old U.S. Mint to Woldenberg Park along the Mississippi Riverfront, to hear more than 260 acts that will perform on the festival’s 20 stages from April 21 through April 24. The event will kick off three straight weeks of music as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set to launch the following two weekends at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
Singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball was on hand to help announce the festival’s springtime revival, The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.
“I love the food, I love the people, I love how open and free it is,” Ball said, beaming. “We’re happy to be back.”
Ball, of the Grammy-nominated group Tank and the Bangas, joins a roster of artists scheduled to perform including Irma Thomas, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, the Soul Rebels, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Amanda Shaw, Chubby Carrier, Little Freddie King, John Boutte, Jeremy Davenport and singersongwriter Rickie Lee Jones, who will be making her festival debut. Other artists performing for the first time include Loose Cattle, the Americana band led by Tony Award-winning actor and part-time New Orleans resident Michael Cerveris; the Lilli Lewis Project; Da Truth Brass Band; Gumbeaux Juice; the Electric Yat Quartet; Notel Motel and Cuban-born percussionist Alexey Marti.
The music will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The complete schedule is to be released in late March.
General admission is free, but VIP packages are available at $129 per day or $399 for the four-day weekend. More than 50 local restaurants will supply the festival’s food booths.
In fact, Musical Rebirth In both 2020 and 2021, the French Quarter Festival, like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, postponed its usual springtime festival More than 260 to the fall, in the hopes that COVID infection rates acts will perform would die down. Also like Jazz Fest, the French on the festival’s 20 Quarter Fest ended up canceling its fall dates as stages from April 21 well. through April 24. But about 1,500 musicians and gig workers contracted for last year’s festival ended up receiving a partial payment anyway. Those payments were funded by a $150,000 donation from Chevron, the French Quarter Festival’s main sponsor. Jazz Fest also paid musicians a percentage of their original fees last year. Acts that were supposed to play in 2020 and 2021 were given “first priority” when this year’s French Quarter Festival was booked, Madero said.
