| For the first time in 35 years Detroit's three car | | | | the next generation Mustang is just weeks away |
| companies are locked in a muscle car war, one | | | | from launch, strongly suggesting that many |
| that hearkens to an era when big engines, rakish | | | | buyers are waiting until the new model is launched |
| styling and speed were clear signs of automotive | | | | to purchase their ride. |
| dominance. With the introduction of the 2010 | | | | The base Camaro is powered by a 3.6L |
| Chevrolet Camaro this month, the Ford Mustang | | | | direct-injection V6, a powerplant that will produce |
| and Dodge Challenger now have a worthy and | | | | 300 horsepower while delivering a segment leading |
| potent rival which could revive what was once | | | | 27 mpg on the highway. Larger engines, including a |
| one of the most exciting battles in the car | | | | detuned version of the Corvette's LS3 engine will |
| industry. For brand loyal consumers, they know | | | | also be available, giving drivers much more muscle |
| which car that they'll root for, but for everyone | | | | than the standard Camaro. |
| else it'll be a matter of choosing sides and going | | | | The Challenger is available with a 3.5L V6, |
| with the coupe that impresses them the most. | | | | producing 250 horsepower while getting 25 mpg |
| The timing of bringing the Camaro to the market | | | | on the highway. Bigger and heavier than either the |
| seems terrible, given the high gas prices from last | | | | Mustang or the Camaro, the Dodge's main appeal |
| summer along with GM's current financial plight. | | | | is its circa 1970s styling. The most popular V8 is |
| However, strong interest from buyers is there | | | | its HEMI powered motor. |
| with more than 10,000 pre-orders made. Indeed, | | | | The current Mustang is powered by a 4.0L V6 |
| if you want to buy the all-new Camaro, you'll | | | | which produces only 210 horsepower, while |
| have to wait four to six months for your coupe | | | | delivering highway mpg of 26. By far the weakest |
| to arrive, such is the sales backlog. | | | | base engine of the lot, most buyers who crave |
| The Dodge Challenger was rolled out in Spring | | | | power will flock to a V8. |
| 2008, just before gas prices peaked. Yet, the | | | | Though the three automakers are experiencing |
| car's retro styling appeal to enthusiasts, proving to | | | | varying degrees of financial troubles, each |
| be one of the few bright spots for beleaguered | | | | company's muscle car offers a bit of sunshine |
| Chrysler LLC, the builder of the iconic muscle car. | | | | amongst all of the gloom. Finally, perhaps the new |
| As for the Ford Mustang, sales remain robust | | | | models will help bring customers to Dodge, Chevy |
| though for February 2009, the Challenger | | | | and Ford showrooms, stimulating sales across the |
| managed to surpass the Mustang in units sold. | | | | entire model line, a needed boost in troubling |
| That unexpected event raised quite a few | | | | times. |
| eyebrows, but then it has been pointed out that | | | | |