American sports cars: a recognition to the V8

Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge & Co. has been one of the largest and best-known automakers in the USA for several decades. The vehicles of US manufacturers are known worldwide. They are also very popular in Europe due to their reliability and the constant new technical innovations, and an extremely competitive price-performance ratio that US cars can offer.

The three brands mentioned above manufacture the well-known pickups and SUVs but have always had a weakness for athletics: The model portfolio of all these brands has always included some very well-known American sports cars and is improved and improved with precision, the performance continuously optimized.

The sports cars from America in detail

The Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is to the Germans what their Porsche 911 is to the Americans: The Corvette has been the Chevrolet sports car for 8 generations! It has become a serious sports car that looks stunning and plays technically in the European competition! While the previous 7 generations of the Corvette were all front-engine sports cars, Chevrolet made it radically different with the latest edition: The Corvette C8 comes with a new design and a mid-engine in the rear! Otherwise, Chevrolet’s most efficacious weapon is state-of-the-art: 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, electronic dampers, a direct-injection V8, and a fully digital cockpit are just some current features to be mentioned.

Alternatives of the Chevrolet Corvette

The top model of the Chevrolet sports car is available as a Corvette Coupé and Corvette Cabrio. In these models, V8 engines are used, they differ in displacement and the type of charging. The recently relaunched base model is called the Corvette C8 Stingray and is launched with a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8. The next higher model is the Corvette C7 Grand Sport, with a similar engine. The Corvette C7 Z06, however, relies on an additional compressor for its 6.2-liter V8. The Corvette C7 ZR1 with almost 800 hp breaks all records in terms of performance!

Data & facts about the Chevrolet Corvette

  • What does a Chevrolet Corvette cost? New price from € 99,000
  • How much horsepower does a Chevrolet Corvette have? Output from 495 to 765 hp
  • How fast does a Chevrolet Corvette accelerate? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.0 to 3.9 seconds
  • How fast is a Chevrolet Corvette? Top speed between 312 to 342 km / h

The Chevrolet Camaro

In addition to the powerful Corvette, Chevrolet has been offering a cheaper sports car for the mass market with the Camaro for several years. The current, sixth generation of models has been on the market since 2015 and has everything that characterizes a real sports car: an agile chassis with perfect weight distribution, engines with ample cubic capacity, and matching (on request) a crisp 6-speed manual transmission and the obligatory rear-wheel drive. The result is an affordable sports car that does not have to hide from its established competitors in terms of performance and suitability for everyday use. The Camaro is also optically – based on the muscle cars from glorious times – a real feast for the eyes and cemented its status!

Alternatives of Chevrolet Camaro

The current entry-level model of the Chevrolet sports car is available as a closed Chevrolet Camaro Coupé as well as an open Chevrolet Camaro convertible. The Camaro has the choice between a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine as an entry-level version, a 3.6-liter V6 engine, and a 6.2-liter V8 engine in the top model Chevrolet Camaro 6.2 V8 SS. The top is marked by the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with the 6.2-liter V8 supercharged engine known from the Corvette ZR1 and over 650 hp. The ZL1 is also fully optimized for use on the racetrack in terms of the chassis and the brakes.

Data & facts about the Chevrolet Camaro

  • What does a Chevrolet Camaro cost? New price from 38,990 €
  • How much horsepower does a Chevrolet Camaro have? The output from 275 to 659 hp
  • How fast does a Chevrolet Camaro accelerate? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / in 3.6 to 6.1s
  • How fast is a Chevrolet Camaro? Top speed 240 to 318 km / h

The Ford Mustang

In addition to the all-powerful Ford GT, Ford has been offering the Mustang, an affordable sports car for the mass market, for over 50 years. The current, sixth generation of models has been on the market since 2014. They have everything that characterizes a real sports car: an agile chassis with perfect weight distribution, engines with a generous displacement and matching (on request) a crisp 6-speed manual transmission, and the obligatory rear-wheel drive. The result is an affordable sports car that does not have to hide from its established competitors in terms of performance and everyday practicality.

Alternatives of the Ford Mustang

The undisputed number 1 of American sports cars is available as Ford Mustang Coupé and Ford Mustang convertible. In terms of drive, the Mustang has the choice between a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo engine as an entry-level version, a 3.7-liter V6 engine, and a V8 engine up to 5.2-liter in the top model Ford Mustang GT. Two models mark the top: The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 – with a rare flat-plane V8 naturally aspirated engine and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with a double-charged V8 engine and an incredible 771 hp! Numerous models such as the Mustang Bullit or the Mustang Mach1 are now also supplementing the model portfolio.

Data & facts about the Ford Mustang

  • What does a Ford Mustang cost? New price from 39,500 €
  • How much horsepower does a Ford Mustang have? The output from 290 to 771 hp
  • How fast does a Ford Mustang accelerate? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / in 3.5 to 5.8 seconds
  • How fast is a Ford Mustang? Top speed 233 to 290 km / h

The Dodge Challenger

In addition to the now unfortunately discontinued Dodge Viper, Dodge has been offering the Challenger, an affordable American sports car for the mass market, for over 50 years. The current, third model generation has even been on the market since 2008. IT knows how to inspire its fans above all with its inimitable beefy look. But the Challenger has also arrived in modern times in terms of equipment and performance. Everything that distinguishes a Challenger and makes it a fun vehicle has remained to this day: full displacement with always good performance and agile rear-wheel drive. Incidentally, the V8 built into the Dodge Challenger is still a venerable HEMI today.

Alternatives of the Dodge Challenger

The currently only Dodge sports car is only available as a closed Dodge Challenger Coupé. In terms of drive, the Challenger has the choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 6.4-liter V8 engine in the top model Dodge Challenger SRT 392. The tip marks a record-breaking projectile: the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat lives up to its name and comes – along with numerous other modifications – with a 6.2-liter V8 supercharged engine and over 700 hp. If you think that you can’t beat that, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon teaches you better again: It releases over 800 hp on the rear axle!

Data & facts about the Dodge Challenger

  • What does a Dodge Challenger cost? New price from 50,000 €
  • How much horsepower does a Dodge Challenger have? The output from 309 to 851 hp
  • How fast does a Dodge Challenger accelerate? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / in 2.6 to 5.8 seconds
  • How fast is a Dodge Challenger? Top speed 230 to 290 km / h

How can I drive an American sports car?

There are several ways you can enjoy the benefits of being behind the wheel of an American sports car. In the end, of course, this is primarily a question of budget.

Buy new cars

The mentioned US sports cars are all available as new. In addition to buying from the nearest car dealership, leasing websites have also established themselves here. Buying a new car is the most expensive option, but it also offers some advantages: You get your US car in exactly the configuration you want. The car has the full manufacturer’s guarantee. And the condition is flawless.

Buy a used sports car

The market for used US sports cars is huge, and the range of corresponding sellers is just as huge: Whether directly from the US dealer, from an exclusive sports car dealer, from the car trader, corresponding online portal, or from private sources – the decision is entirely up to you Buyers. Buying a used sports car naturally also has the advantage that you can also purchase older, manufactured model series such as the no longer available Dodge SRT Viper with 8.4 liters naturally aspirated engine.

American sports car hire

One alternative that has become very popular in recent years is renting a sports car. It has several advantages: You don’t have to spend a fortune to drive your dream car. All costs are included in the rental price. You can change vehicles with complete flexibility if you feel like doing a new one. And you don’t have any annoying monthly costs that burden you even when financially a little tight.

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