Nothing expresses raw American power like Muscle Cars do. Though there are many diehard fans of this controversial car segment, the terminology is a bit loose. Some say it has to be a two-door pony to be a Muscle Car, some say it has to do with a powerful V8, some others would say it is any sort of gigantic engine put on a small chassis.
The remaining pioneers of the American muscle car are less than the number of fingers on your hands these days. With only a few models carrying what’s left of the muscle car spirit on the market, one might think buying a brand-new muscle car wouldn’t turn into an overwhelming decision to make. However, that cannot be further away from the truth. Everything is hastily moving towards advancement; some models might look good at the moment but aren’t worth the investment; some are best with modifications.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know before making your call to get a brand-new 2022 muscle car.
Last Chances To Bring A Hellcat To Your Garage
The Dodge Challenger and the Charger are two of the most famous American Muscle Cars globally. With models Like the Charger Hellcat and the Demon, Dodge has revived its classic performance-driven spirit and become the king of the quarter-mile again.
Although they have helped Dodge earn a massive street reputation, Dodge plans to discontinue the Hellcat Engines by the end of 2023. So, if you’ve dreamed about owning a Hellcat, it’s about time you shook your leg because, in just about two years, Hellcats are history.
However, the good news is that these last two years are probably the best years to get your hands on a brand-new Hellcat, especially if you are a fan of customization. In a recent YouTube video, Dodge has finally revealed “Jailbreak.” With Jailbreak models available for 2022 Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeyes, customers now have access to a much broader color palette, both for the exterior and the interior.
Electric Motors Are Coming To Your Favorite Pony Cars
The most controversial news around Muscle Cars is their electrification. Many might find it impossible to have a muscle car not running on a conventional fuel-hungry V8. But harsh truth suggests the inevitability of advancement.
Some rumors hint at Ford making the Mustang fully electric for the next generations, but from what the news says, it is highly possible to see a hybrid mustang that runs on both fuel and electricity before 2025.
While Ford’s plans for an electric Muscle Car are still unofficial, folks at Dodge have already announced and teased their upcoming Muscle Car that runs entirely on electricity. Dodge claims that this is not an ordinary electric car, but what they call an “eMuscle.” The CEO of Dodge, Tim Kuniskis, mentioned in a video following the announcement that the company must adapt to change as electrification is impacting the North American market. Dodge’s first-ever EV Muscle Car comes with a new (and a bit cheesy) watchword: “Tear Up the Streets… Not the Planet.”
Last but not least, Chevy is not missing out on the electrification game either. Though not officially announced yet, 2044 is expected to end the two-door, gasoline-engined Chevy Camaro. And, as you might have guessed, an electric model featuring a sedan body style will replace it.
Though this might be severely disappointing for many Muscle Car fans, it is only fair if we put a grain of faith in what Dodge and Ford are cooking up. The chances for an entirely enhanced Muscle Car experience might be low, but not zero. So, if you’re planning to own an up-to-date muscle car, you might want to wait a couple of more years to see what the electric motors have to say.
The Best Muscle Car For 2022 Is… Probably Still A Mustang
Indeed, the top-of-the-line Muscle Cars of today deliver such great performances that at the end of the day, it is only a matter of taste and preference. If you’re looking for raw horsepower, something like the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye or Dodge Demon are options that can’t go wrong. You might be a diehard Chevy fan who’s willing to make little compromises in horsepower and performance compared to the rivals for a Camaro ZL1 with decades of Chevrolet heritage behind it.
But in our opinion, the best overall Muscle Car of 2022 is the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500. Though it may not provide as much HP as something like the Dodge Demon does, the Shelby Mustang GT500 is always a step ahead of its American rivals, thanks to its better steering, smoother cornering, better suspension etc. The supercharged, 760-horsepower engine inside the GT500 can effortlessly put exotics to shame.
But performance is not the only advantage of the 2022 Shelby Mustang GT500. The GT500 has more tech features and offers a better interior compared to other Muscle Cars. What’s more, with the new Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Heritage Edition, some classic Mustang colors are available for customers to buy.