5 of the Best-Sounding Muscle Cars From the Last 15 Years
If you ask fans of classic American muscle cars, they’ll tell you the cars of the segment today don’t sound as good as the charming vehicles of yesteryear. However, many cars from the last 15 years have delightful songs to sing, regardless of the missing carburetors and lumpy cams. Check out five of our picks for the best-sounding muscle cars of today’s new and used market, like the Shelby GT350, Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and R/T Scat Pack.
What are the best-sounding modern muscle cars?
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
- Chevrolet Camaro SS
- Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
- Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
- Ford Mustang 3V
These five muscle cars span the gamut from naturally aspirated 4.6L V8s to supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8s producing over 700 horsepower. However, they all have two things in common; they make their power with eight cylinders and sound unmistakably wonderful.
Is the Shelby GT350 supercharged?
While the now-discontinued Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is devoid of forced induction like a supercharger, the unique pony car produced 526 horsepower from a flat-plane crank 5.2L Voodoo V8. As a result, the GT350 screams up to 8,250 rpm. That makes it a unique and musical muscle car.
Why does the Chevrolet Camaro SS sound so good?
The fifth and sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro SS pack an old-school recipe, namely a large, boisterous V8 up front. The latest Camaro SS models have naturally aspirated 6.2L V8s with 455 horsepower and a throaty, muscle car soundtrack.
Of course, fans who want a layered engine sound instead of something from the bass section should check out the sixth-gen Camaro ZL1. The ZL1 adds a supercharger to the mix, bumping output to 650 horsepower, per TrueCar.
Is the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat supercharged?
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat boasts a 6.2L Hemi V8 with a 2.4L supercharger. As a result, the orchestral powerplant produces between 707 and 807 horsepower, depending on the model year and trim. Better yet, the manic supercharger whine and bassy V8 undertones make for an intoxicating Mopar sound.
Is the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack one of the best-sounding muscle cars?
Unlike the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the R/T Scat Pack packs the thunderous 6.4L Apache V8. It produces 485 horsepower without a supercharger, meaning a loud, eager sound from the 392-cubic inch mill.
What is a 3V Mustang?
The “3V” Ford Mustang refers to pre-Coyote models that packed a three-valve 4.6L V8. Unlike the more modern and powerful 5.0L Coyote V8 S197 and S550 models, the 3V model produces a bassy, less raspy sound.
As a result of the pleasing engine and exhaust notes, the S197 3V Mustangs get our pick for one of the best-sounding Mustang and muscle cars of recent years.
Why do old muscle cars sound so good?
Due to asymmetrical firing orders and lumpy camshafts, old muscle cars produce a unique idle and revving sound. Moreover, carbureted models sound different from factory fuel-injected models.
Still, even without the lumpy idle of an old-school application, the large-displacement muscle cars of today can produce a fantastic song. What cars would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
