Modern Muscle: The Big Three Put Down Big Power in 2019…With Big Plans for 2020
Keep your supercars and hypercars. For me, nothing beats the absolute ridiculousness of muscle cars, and ridiculous is no stretch, either. Right now, the stakes are high as manufacturers aim to snag the title of King of the Modern Muscle Era. Each year, automakers pump out vehicles that continue to set and surpass benchmarks for power and performance. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what the Big Three have on the roster right now in the forms of the 2019 Ford Mustang, 2019 Chevy Camaro, and 2019 Dodge Challenger. And while we’re here, we’ll take a peek at what’s in store for the 2020 model year.
MUSTANG: Honor Roll Overachiever
The 2019 Ford Mustang is one helluva car. While the new commemorative Bullitt model has gotten a majority of the attention, it’s really only one piece of the pie. From appearance to performance, we promise you’ll be captivated with everything the current ‘Stang has to offer.
2019 Ford Mustang
It’s no secret that the world of modern muscle, the Ford Mustang is the most notable contender to boast a serious engine with less than eight cylinders. Sure, the others come with V6s, but Ford is putting down 310 hp in a four-cylinder 2.3L EcoBoost base engine. That demands some respect, even from a Mopar guy. And for the traditionalists: the GT wears a 5.0L V8 pushing out 460 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Shelby GT350 packs a hand-assembled 5.2L V8 with a flat-plane crank that produces a whopping 526 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going engine in Ford history.
Plus, with classic good looks and a hoard of performance gadgets, the 2019 Mustang might be the closest you and I will ever get to a Bond-worthy muscle car. The available MagneRideTM Damping System provides incredible control and agility, and ensures you no longer have to choose between a smooth ride or responsive handling. An optional exhaust selection mode allows you to keep the car cool and quiet for the daily work commute—or open up your wild side with the Sport and Track settings.
And speaking of the track…
Standard on all 2019 Mustang models is Ford’s Track AppsTM, which gives instant performance metrics right in the instrument cluster. Throw in standard Electronic Line-Lock, Launch Control (on manuals), and selectable steering—plus the option for selectable drive modes and you are getting some serious tech-savvy performance-bang for your buck.
Additionally, the 2019 Ford Mustang retains its place as a lightweight muscle car. Okay, at 3800-lbs the term “light” is a stretch, but it’s still about 300-lbs lighter than the Camaro and around 600-lbs lighter than the Challenger. That really makes a difference when it comes to speed and performance.
So what’s planned for 2020?
For the 2020 model year, the Mustang gets a serious addition to the lineup: the Shelby GT500. A facelift is in the works, with “aggression” being the main design goal. No horsepower numbers have leaked (yet), but some whispers say 700+hp. However, Ford does promise, “tire-smoking, pin-you-to-your-seat performance,” and vows that this will be the most powerful Mustang ever.
Truth or fiction? I don’t know, but even as a Mopar guy, I’m thrilled to see that Ford is ready to get to business and start throwing heavy hits in an effort to reign as the King of Power.
CAMARO: Cool Guy Hanging in the Background
Dude… Chevy man, where have you been? While Dodge and Ford fans talk smack on the bowtie badge, the 2019 Chevy Camaro just hangs back giving off that slightly unsettling strong-but-silent vibe. You know, the one that says, “I don’t need to pound my chest to prove anything… but I could pound you into the ground without batting an eye.”
2019 Chevy Camaro
The 2019 Camaro is way too underrated. Sure, Chevy’s turbo 4-cylinder only pumps out 285 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. But that 3.6L V6 model drops the hammer with 335 hp while the 6.2L V8 in the Camaro SS packs a 455-hp punch. And just in case that’s still not enough power for you—the ZL1 slaps a supercharger on that baby, pushing out an astounding 650 hp and 650 lb.-ft. of torque that nobody is talking enough about it. (Although, to be honest, that kind of just makes it cooler.)
No doubt, the 2019 Chevy Camaro is a fast car, but what you may not know is that its very design is aimed to aid in speed. GM has tied air curtains, hood extractors, and a flow-through bowtie—The Flowtie—to the front end of this vehicle. Helping the car cut through the air at better speeds, these features also help keep mechanical components cool. To amp up control, Brembo performance brakes are also an available upgrade.
Chevy’s got the looks too, as the 2019 Camaro adds some refreshed styling to that legendary aggressive design and squat, pit bull-like stance. Plus, the 1LE Track Performance package is now available on all models, upping precision braking, steering, handling, and grip.
2020 Plans
It’s rumored that a new, more powerful ZL1 will be hitting the ground running for 2020, but very little is known about it. Mums the word when it comes to new Chevy projects. (The automaker still hasn’t officially confirmed the new mid-engine Corvette, despite dozens of test sightings.) But considering Chevy’s penchant for power output, I expect good things—despite the GT500 landing on the scene.
CHALLENGER: Heavyweight Champion
Alright, alright, I admit I’m a Dodge guy, so most of my attention funnels into the Mopar world. But there’s no way you’ve been in the dark about what the 2019 Dodge Challenger’s been up to. With that downright studly front fascia, enormous model lineup, and surrious power output, how can you not agree that this is the muscle car of all muscle cars??
2019 Dodge Challenger
Dodge has yet to dabble in the world of 4-cylinder performance with its muscle car, but why bother when that 3.6L V6 still pushes out a respectable 305 hp and 268 lb.-ft. of torque? Although, let’s be honest, when we’re talking Dodge performance—it’s the Hemi that’s the showstopper. While the entry level 5.7L boasts 375 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque, the Hellcat Redeye destroys pavement with a mind-boggling 797 hp and 707 lb.-ft. of torque.
But Dodge doesn’t just throw this power out there without a way to harness those ponies. Higher trim 2019 Challenger models come standard with high-performance Brembo brakes and even the base models get better-than-usual stopping power. Package that in with an aluminum axle, 50/50 weight distribution, and all-speed traction control and you’ve got yourself a muscle car that can conquer just about anything you throw at it.
Plus, Dodge knows most of us don’t have $60k+ lying around to drop on a Hellcat. Which could be why the automaker has adopted an Oprah-style marketing scheme. (YOU get a Challenger, and YOU get a Challenger! EVERYBODY GETS A CHALLENGERRRR!) No, but really, Dodge seemingly has a 2019 Challenger for every buyer—and those high-end performance features are available on just about every one of them. (Check out this comprehensive guide from our friends over at Autotrader that helps make sense of the crazy wide selection of Challenger options.)
What’s up for 2020?
SRT Ghoul. A lot of people are talking about this Dodge follow-up that’s supposed to be more powerful than the Demon. Well, I’ve got bad news for you, guys: There is no factual evidence to support these rumors at this point. In fact, this is just boiling down to what may very well be a runaway April Fool’s joke—sorry, man!
As far as 2020 goes, there’s not even a whisper coming from FCA on what’s up their sleeves as a farewell to the beloved beast. However, I can tell you that the 2021 Challenger will bring some major changes to the table. Spoiler: It brings with it a hybrid model. (Don’t kill the messenger.)
So, what do you think? In the modern muscle wars, will one automaker throw the others out of the water come 2020? Or are we headed for a Spaghetti Western stand-off of the good, the bad, and the ugly?
