CALGARY – The definition of a muscle car varies depending on the source.
Some say the high-performance cars were an American phenomenon, while others maintain similar vehicles were built in different countries.
Back in the day for American manufacturers, however, it was about large displacement, high-horsepower engines stuffed under the hoods of full-size two-door coupes.
Now the definition has grown to include just about any vehicle with a high-performance engine – and modern muscle is evident this weekend at the Calgary International Auto and Truck Show.
Muscle car purists might disagree with the offerings I’ve chosen to highlight, but one basic fact remains – all of these cars are equipped with big engines.
Over at Chrysler, the 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker is on display. ‘Shaker’ is actually a historic reference to a style of hood that was first available on select muscle cars in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In fact, Chrysler offered a shaker hood in 1970 on its Challenger R/T. A shaker is so-called because the cold air intake, which is affixed directly to the engine, sticks up through a hole in the hood – as the engine is revved, the intake moves with the engine.
The 2014 Challenger R/T Shaker is equipped with a 5.7L Hemi that makes 372 horsepower when mated to a five-speed automatic transmission or 375 h.p. with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Earlier this year Ford released big news about its all-new 2015 Mustang, but an example of it is not at the Calgary show. Instead, for Ford muscle, there’s a 2014 Mustang Shelby GT500.
This year is a significant milestone for Mustang, as it celebrates 50 years of the storied nameplate and the 2014 Shelby GT500, Ford claims, is the ultimate Mustang.
Powered by a 5.8L supercharged V-8, the all-aluminum engine pumps out 662 h.p. and 631 ft.-lbs. of torque – and Ford claims those lofty figures indicate the engine is the most powerful production V-8 in the world.
Ford says nearly every part of the powertrain has been optimized for producing the massive horsepower, including the supercharger, cross-drilled engine block and heads, camshaft profiles, carbon fibre driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.
All of that power requires an equally aggressive braking system, and the GT500 wears Brembo calipers, rotors and pads.
Overall aerodynamic advancements help the Shelby GT500 put power to the ground with its downforce-generating front grille and other features that keep air moving around, and through, the car.
General Motors is showcasing two cars with regional debuts here at the Calgary show – the 2014 Camaro Z/28 and the Corvette Stingray Convertible.
Let’s look at the Z/28 first. According to GM, the Z/28 is the most iconic model of all Camaros produced. The car was first developed in 1966 to appear as a 1967 model year vehicle with a 302.4 cubic inch V-8 that could churn out 360 h.p. with a single four-barrel carburetor or 400 h.p. with dual four-barrel carbs. The car was designed to be track-ready, with very few frills but built for speed.
Over the various Camaro generations, different Z/28 iterations have appeared but the last of them rolled off the line in 2001.
Now, the 2014 model features a revised exterior design that incorporates high-performance aerodynamics and a 7.0-litre LS7 engine rated at 505 h.p. and 481 ft.-lbs. of torque. The engine is assembled by hand at the new Performance Build Center within GM’s Bowling Green assembly plant.
Chassis and suspension improvements include new spool-valve dampers and the Z/28 is the first production vehicle to be equipped with the large 305/30ZR19 ultra-high performance Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires.
Also at GM is the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible. According to GM, the new Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard Corvette model ever, with an estimated 455 h.p. and 460 ft.-lbs. of torque from the new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine. There is also an all-new seven-speed manual gearbox for the Stingray.
Built on an all-new lightweight aluminum frame, the Stingray is available in either coupe or convertible formats. With the exception of the drop top, there are very few differences between the two – right down to the curb weights.
The convertible top can be activated remotely with the key fob, or on the fly at speeds up to 50 km/h, and it takes 21 seconds to completely retract.
New Corvette Stingray models take advantage of lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing techniques and technology first developed by the Corvette Racing program to produce a 50/50 weight balance and ideal power-to-weight ratios.
For example, the ‘Vette’s all-new aluminum frame is 45 kg lighter, yet 57 per cent stiffer than the previous-generation convertible.
The Calgary International Auto and Truck Show runs March 12 to 16. Show hours are Wed. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thurs. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
