We sparked some debate after saying the 2017 Dodge Challenger V6 AWD feels like a muscle car. Feels like and is are not the same thing, but in today’s era of safety regulations and small-displacement, what really earns the right to be likened to big-block beasts of your dad’s day?
I’m bestowing today’s Comment Of The Day to jb21, who was certainly not the only person bring up “what should be called a ‘muscle car’” but they did seem to get some dialogue going in the comments.
To me, the definition of a “muscle car” boils down to something built on a practical platform that gives you a sensation of strength. And I guess, more specifically, a proper muscle car has some tangible connection to drag strip driving and the big fat flavor of the 1960s and 70s.
You can think about whether or not we should reserve the “muscle car” nomenclature for V8, rear-drive, high-horsepower monsters with American brand badges while you watch and listen to the official soundtrack of doing donuts in a high school parking lot: