Era of the Muscle Car is over

AutoX Z · 06-14-2009, 10:00 AM

Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

NeedforZ · 06-14-2009, 10:32 AM

The era of muscle cars as we known it may be over but sports cars will continue to evolve. I think people will figure out how to mod and race just about any form of transportation. Come back 50 or 100 years. Moon buggy races in low G may be a lot of fun.

Mergnthwirker · 06-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

I couldn't agree more. The old Colin Chapman line, "For more speed... add lightness" applies. My Sentra SE-R was about 2100 pounds and went damn well with only 130hp. I've driven a Caterham Super 7 which is under 1500 lbs, and it was a hoot! DAMN fast, and very visceral (but a bit scary next to an 18-wheeler on the highway).

I continue to watch in horror as each generation of cars add more weight and need to increase engine size to return decent performance. I hope the new focus on efficiency starts to drive weights back down, but the costs of exotic materials and the safety and content requirements of new cars make this a difficult engineering challenge. I'd be really happy with the same power-to-weight ratio as my 370Z in a 2000lb car!

I'm sure it would get a lot better fuel mileage. But I still wouldn't want to meet a Chevy Tahoe head-on...

HJM

Sashimi · 06-14-2009, 02:37 PM

I think that the muscle car will be here as long as it by itself if a profitable car. what we will proboboly see is that they are going to be made cheaper and cheaper and only having minor upgrades over the years to come. Example is the mustang, the mustang was barely changed from the last generation to this generation. While the Z on the other had, from 350z-370z is almost a completly new car.

End of the muscle car? I didn't think so. but after going to the track and seeing a stock 370z beat a brand new Challenger SRT8 which has over 400HP on a STRAIGHT line. I don't know what to say.

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06-14-2009, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
AutoX Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 314 Drives: 370Z Base, Sport Rep Power: 18	Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

06-14-2009, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
NeedforZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 163 Drives: 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 18	The era of muscle cars as we known it may be over but sports cars will continue to evolve. I think people will figure out how to mod and race just about any form of transportation. Come back 50 or 100 years. Moon buggy races in low G may be a lot of fun.

06-14-2009, 02:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sashimi Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 120 Drives: Pearl White 370z Rep Power: 402	I think that the muscle car will be here as long as it by itself if a profitable car. what we will proboboly see is that they are going to be made cheaper and cheaper and only having minor upgrades over the years to come. Example is the mustang, the mustang was barely changed from the last generation to this generation. While the Z on the other had, from 350z-370z is almost a completly new car. End of the muscle car? I didn't think so. but after going to the track and seeing a stock 370z beat a brand new Challenger SRT8 which has over 400HP on a STRAIGHT line. I don't know what to say.