Muscle cars are iconic, from their sleek exteriors to the satisfied purrs of the impressively large engines. While it might seem like road-hugging, road-tearing driving experiences are a thing of the past, there are many muscle cars still out on the market. Many of them are performance icons from popular automakers and well-known models, like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang. The latest models have modern conveniences, too, like smartphone integration, Wi-Fi hotspots, a surprising amount of legroom, the latest in performance and safety technology. The most popular and powerful muscle cars for 2018 include the Camaro Z06, Challenger SRT Hellcat, Charger SRT Hellcat, Dodge Demon, and the Mustang Shelby GT350. Read on to find out what you need to know about the most powerful muscle cars of 2018.
This powerful muscle car is all about speed, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 707 horsepower and a sportier suspension, quad exhaust tips, and unique styling. Other impressive features include automatic wipers and high beams, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and two USB ports.
The Charger version of the Hellcat is a bit more practical, but otherwise powerful and impressive. This muscle car also has a supercharged V8 with 707 horsepower, but it has a roomy cabin, four doors, and a bunch of safety features that make it more family friendly. Other standard features include keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, Dodge's Uconnect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, voice controls, dual USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
This muscle car is easily considered a beast of a vehicle, known as the most powerful muscle car in history. Outfitted with a V8, the Demon puts out 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a ton of specialized equipment for what is basically a drag racing vehicle, which includes street-legal drag slicks, numerous cooling systems, an adaptive suspension, and launch control. There is only one seat, belonging to the driver.
This muscle car is powered by a 5.2-liter V8 that pumps out 526 horsepower. Standard features include a six-speed manual transmission, adaptive suspension dampers and heavy-duty springs, Brembo brakes, a Torsen rear differential, three powertrain coolers, adjustable drive settings, a rear spoiler and diffuser, and keyless ignition and entry. Inside, drivers can enjoy a rearview camera, a 4.2-inch center display, Bluetooth, phone and audio voice commands (Sync), and smartphone app integration.
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is more practical and has more space for families, providing an exciting and comfortable ride for everyone involved.
The Mustang Shelby GT350 has an Electronics package that can be added, which has an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and dual-zone climate control on top of the standard features.
This high-performance muscle car is the top of the line of the Corvette models. Outfitted with a 6.2-liter V8, the Corvette Z06 comes in three trim levels: 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ. Standard performance features on the base model include 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, specialized sports suspension with adaptive dampers, revised transmission gear ratios, dry-sump oiling for the V8 and a dual-mode performance exhaust. This model also comes with an aggressive aero package, with wider rear and front fenders, a unique front grille, rear fascia, and expanded cooling vents.
All of these muscle cars retail for between $69,000 and $90,000, depending on extra features purchased.