Muscle cars don't mess around when it comes to speed. These mighty machines love the drag strip, so tend to have huge V8s, plenty of power, and a sharp eye for burnouts. Pull up beside one with a view to race and you better be in something special.
Perhaps a supercar would do quite nicely? In the past – and especially around a track – the muscle car would often be no match for the sophisticated supercar. Despite the abundance of power, muscle cars were usually heavy, lazy, and slow around bends.
However, in the present, it's safe to say that stereotype is almost entirely in the rear-view mirror. Muscle cars nowadays are much more capable of taking the on typically European supercar competition. And to prove it, here are ten muscle cars able to outrun supercars.
10 Chevrolet ZL1 1LE
Even in standard form, the latest ZL1 is already a supercar killer, with 641bhp, 650lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds. The hardcore 1LE version simply turns the dial up to eleven.
This is your track-focused Zl1, similar to what the GT350R is to the Shelby GT350. It gets better aero, stiffer suspension, stickier tires, and more. These additions helped the 6.2-liter supercharged monster lap the Nurburgring in an incredible 7:16.04, which is faster than the Ferrari 488 GTB.
9 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500
If you thought the Zl1 was a beast, take a look at the Shelby GT500 and its 5.2-liter supercharged V8. Some of the car's highlights include 749bhp, 625lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60mph time of 3.3 seconds, not to mention a quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The latest GT500 is certainly a far cry from its live-axle predecessor, sporting a much more sophisticated setup. Under this muscle car's skin, you'll find clever MagnaRide suspension, for example, which allows the model to ace twisty tracks like any of its European competitors, if not better.
8 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
The Dodge Demon is insane: 840bhp, 770lb-ft, and a 0-60mph time of 2.3 seconds (in drag spec). With a keen eye for wheelies and rapid quarter-mile times, it's one of the fastest accelerating cars on the planet.
Even more than the 797bhp Hellcat Redeye, the Demon is a wild animal. If respected and in the hands of a skilled driver, it can be made to go very, very fast. If provoked, it'll bite. This isn't a car that'll hold your hand; it's a 6.2-liter supercharged monster.
7 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The ZR1 is the ultimate C7, as well as the final send-off for the front-engined Corvette. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces 755bhp and 715lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60mph time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 212mph.
The model is even faster than its Camaro ZL1 sibling around the Nurburgring, boasting a lap time of only 7:04. This is faster than the $300,000 McLaren 720S – the ZR1 only costs $120,000.
6 Shelby Cobra 427
The Shelby Cobra 427, despite being the oldest car on this list, is a formidable machine even by today's standards. This '60s legend features a 7.0-liter V8 with 410bhp and 480lb-ft that, due to the car's low weight of only 2,282lbs, allows it to achieve a 0-60mph time of only 4.2 seconds.
Still not convinced this fifty-year-old beast is a supercar slayer? Well, have a read of this: the Cobra 427 has a power to weight ratio of 396bhp per tonne. The Ferrari F430 Scuderia, on the other hand, has a power to weight ratio of 378bhp per tonne.
5 Dodge Viper ACR
The ACR is a car built for people who believe Porsche 911 GT3 RS drivers are wusses. This Viper will break your back with its stiff ride, tear your face off with its grip and acceleration and deafen you due to its 8.4-liter V10 howl exiting through side exhausts.
So, it's punishing, but that's simply a bi-product of the ACR's insane track capability. Its 645 bhp and 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds allow for great straight-line performance, and its aero and sticky tires allow for fantastic levels of grip and control.
4 Chevrolet "Exorcist" Camaro by Hennessey
Wielding a mind-blowing 1,000bhp V8, Hennessey's Exorcist Camaro is one of the few cars able to truly threaten the mighty Dodge Demon. With 260 extra horsepower over the Demon, it's certainly a worthy challenger.
The Exorcist an unhinged muscle car for the most daring of drivers. Push it to its limits and this 217mph monster will destroy any supercar in sight, especially in track-oriented 1LE form.
3 Shelby Super Snake
The Shelby Super Snake is another pony car turned up to eleven. Though based on the regular 5.0-liter Mustang GT, the Super Snake increases power from 460bhp to an eye-watering 825bhp – almost double.
It does this via an extensive list of upgrades, including a supercharger and Borla cat-back exhaust. The Super Snake has also been built to handle better thanks to improved suspension, tires, and brakes.
2 Dodge Charger Hellcat
The Charger Hellcat is one of the fastest four doors out there – its 706bhp is more than enough to worry quite a few supercars. And if you think it can't put the power down, it will – perhaps with some practice – for a 0-60mph time of only 3.6 seconds.
Under the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which is the same one Dodge uses in the Challenger Hellcat. For even more power and performance, there's even a Redeye version of both cars able to produce 796bhp (as touched upon previously).
1 Chevrolet Corvette Z51
Is the Corvette still a muscle/sports car now it's gone mid-engined? Perhaps it's up for debate, however, either way, the C8 deserves plenty of time in the limelight for its European supercar bashing skills.
Despite lacking in power compared to some supercar rivals – its 6.2-liter V8 produces 495bhp – the C8 is able to brilliantly make use of every single horsepower thanks to an amazing dual-clutch automatic transmission and lots of grip. When fitted with the Z51 performance package, it's able to do 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds.