Are these Muscle Cars? Mustang, Charger, BMW & More Explained

For all car lovers, muscle cars are like a dream come true. With extreme performance, the thrill to your core can make you feel alive like never before. But sometimes, it becomes difficult to differentiate between a muscle car and a regular high-performance car.

A high-performance large V8 engine makes a car a muscle car. However, this is not the only factor that determines if a car is a muscle car or not. Some other features of a muscle car are discussed further below. But first, let’s dive into what a muscle car is exactly and why this new kind of car came into being.

What is a Muscle Car?

By definition, a two-rear-wheeled or four-wheeled car that is manufactured in America and also a high-performance car with two doors is called a muscle car. Some of the famous names are the Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, and Pontiac GTO.

Why were the muscle cars manufactured?

Although officially a muscle car was brought onto the market in 1964 the idea of a car like this one came from 1920 when bootleggers and moonshiners modified their cars in such a way that they could outrun the authorities. They wanted their cars to drive fast while carrying heavy luggage. And this was only possible if the car had a big engine with the light boy. So here came the first unofficial muscle car into being.

So, the main reason behind manufacturing a muscle car was to combine fast speed with a powerful engine and light body so that it could become affordable, unlike those expensive cars that had powerful engines. As their popularity increased, many other companies became interested in it, manufacturing their own version of muscle cars. The first muscle cars were the Pontiac GTO and Oldsmobile 442. They were often called “performance cars” or “power cars” with affordable price tags. They are usually very big and heavy, and they have a big engine that can make them go very fast.

Features Of A Muscle Car

Muscle cars are not very good at turning corners because they are so big and heavy. They usually have wide tires to help them grip the road and a big hood to help the engine cool down. Muscle cars also have two doors and are driven by the back wheels. But the one thing that makes a muscle car the muscle car is its manufacturing in America. BMW has all the features of a muscle car but as it is made in Europe it is not a muscle car.

Mustang, Charger, and BMW

The Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, and BMW are some of the famous high-performance cars. But are all these muscle cars? Let’s see.

1. Mustang

The Mustang, a classic American muscle car, is known for its powerful V8 engines and rear-wheel-drive layout. The 2024 Ford Mustang has new wheels and LED lighting as part of its updated exterior design. It has two engine options: a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 500 horsepower or a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with 315 horsepower. It is sporty looking and has rear-wheel drive, just like a muscle car should. On racetracks and metropolitan streets, Mustangs have always performed admirably.

2. Charger

The Charger, a modern muscle car, offers impressive performance and aggressive styling. It offers a range of engines, including the powerful HEMI SRT Hellcat V8, which delivers 797 horsepower. Its design features a classic Coke bottle shape, a distinctive flying buttress rear window, and overall muscle car proportions. The Charger boasts embroidered doors, a console, and quality Laguna leather seating.

3. BMW

The BMW, a European sports sedan, is renowned for its precision handling and luxurious interior. Though it is not a muscle car, its performance makes it fall into the same category as muscle cars. The BMW is equipped with a twin-turbo engine that generates 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powerful engine is known for its efficiency and performance, thanks to its turbocharging technology. Though it can be considered a muscle car a BMW is in fact NOT a muscle car as it is a European manufactured car.

Nowadays, many high-performance cars can be mistaken for muscle cars but remember muscle cars are strictly those cars that are American-made with two doors.

In Brief

Muscle cars can be a good choice if you want a cheaper car but don’t want to compromise on performance or the engine. They are pure American two-door cars that will give you a thrill on the road like never before. Give it a try, and you will have a time like never before.