Yeah, we've been here before.
Posted on 08/21/2024 4:15:18 AM PDT by MtnClimber
A long-profitable niche for American car makers has been the all-American muscle car. Low-slung, two door sedans with enormous horsepower, wide tires, aggressive styling and the low rumble of those powerful V-8 engines. There’s nothing quite like them, and they sell for a premium. Ford made the Mustang, Chevy the Camaro, and Dodge, the Charger and Challenger.
They were initially designed to go fast in a straight line, but as technology improved and suspensions became more sophisticated, they began to hold their own on the racetrack as well as the drag strip, and their internal amenities began to rival luxury sedans. Dodge’s 2023 Challenger, available in a variety of models, boasted a beginning price of $32,800. But engines of over 700 horsepower were available, pushing the MSRP to some $99,315. The more horsepower, the higher the price, and prices from $60,000 to $80,000 were demanded for the real muscle cars.
And suddenly, in August of 2022, Dodge announced beginning in the 2024 model year, there would be no low, V-8 rumble, at least not a gasoline-powered rumble. Dodge was going full woke and would henceforth produce only electric powered muscle cars.
We’ve seen American auto manufacturers indulging in economic suicide before. Donald Trump is correct in asserting that going electric vehicle (EV) crazy will destroy union jobs. Union bosses are all in for Kamala Harris. Union workers are all in for Donald Trump. Even as Ford and Chevy are admitting there is no real demand for EVs, and in the face of billions in losses over their EVs, are seriously walking back their EV offerings, Dodge seems determined to convince muscle car customers they don’t really want muscle cars after all.
Muscle car enthusiasts willing to part with nearly $100,000 dollars aren’t going to be satisfied with muscle cars...
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
They’re doing the same thing to RAM trucks, getting rid of the V-8 and replacing with twin turbo straight 6. I don’t want to hear a whine of a turbo, I want to feel the rumble of the V-8. I predict truck owners will opt for a 2500 with a V-8 or diesel before a twin turbo, at least I will.
Is anyone charging all these Unsold EVs or are they just sitting and rotting away , think of all the resources the Green Freaks waste
When I left the military in 1971, I got a 1970 Hemi-Cuda....I wish I still had that bad-a$$ car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be pretty awesome if somehow it would be possible to hack these cars..
Everytime they come to a stop light the car starts to blast “The Macarena” or some equally cringeworthy song.
Yeah, we've been here before.
Yikes! I forgot about that thing.
When escourts and mustangs were indistinguishable..
Great marketing strategy.
Toyota is doing it as well, and of course you pay extra for something that is not going to be as reliable.
I had a 1974 Mustang II Mach I. Now I’ve got an ‘05 Mustang. Both with the V6. The ‘74 was 2,800 lbs with 105 hp., the ‘05 is 500 lbs more but with double the hp and gets better mpg.
What was wrong with the slant six?
64 1/2 Mustangs could be had with the straight six, 260-V8 2V, or 289-V8 in either 2V or 4V configuration. From there, it was 289, 302, 351W, 351C, 428, 429, and 460 up to 1973. Then in 74, the Carter years graced US with the 4 cyl., V6, and a smogged 302-2V up to 78 which was generally available in the Cobra, Cobra II, and the King Cobra all on a Pinto frame.
“..I predict truck owners will opt for a 2500 with a V-8...”
Your prediction is pretty accurate.
Bought a ‘23 RAM V-8 6.4 Hemi in a base 2500 last fall before they quit making em....love it.
I don’t need the 2500 chassis as I don’t tow anything that heavy that warrants it, but I bought the truck for the engine. IF they hadn’t screwed up the V-8 in the 1500 truck by putting that goofy e-torque system on it, I’d have stuck with a 1500. I just wanted a plain, old V-8 without all the goofy junk on it, and the only way to get it in the RAM was to go to a 2500.
BTW, I’m not alone in that. I’ve got a couple of friends that had previously done the same thing which gave me the idea to go to the 2500.
A fun show in the first few seasons.
Works for me.
Absolutely nothing! One of the best Mopar engines ever built. Specially the 225 variant.
The diesel trucks will be illegal in California. Some already are.
And in related news:
“Ford Cancels Plans for Electric SUV”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-cancels-plans-electric-suv-122700042.html
“Ford Motor is canceling plans for a large electric sport-utility vehicle and expects to take $1.9 billion in related special charges and write-downs, as automakers continue adjusting their EV plans because of softer-than-expected demand.
The Dearborn, Mich., automaker this spring said it would delay plans for an electric three-row SUV by two years to a 2027 release date. On Wednesday, the company said it is scrapping the model altogether, citing tough pricing pressure as automakers resort to aggressive discounts to move their EVs.”
I had a slant six in my 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger.
Now, all Toyota offers is a 4 cylinder hybrid. Much too weak when they add all the weight of the adaptive equipment and ramp.
Looks like the only ones with a 6 cylinder is Chrysler. Good looking van though.
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