EVs could spell the death of muscle cars and that's okay

EVs could spell the death of muscle cars and that'south okay

(Epitome credit: Ford)

It was recently reported that Chevy could be taking its iconic Camaro and making information technology into an all-electric sedan.

While I capeesh that environmental pressures and the demand to movement with the times is seeing traditional car brands beginning to explore electrification, I definitely didn't expect to hear about a true archetype American muscle car potentially going electrical. And that has me worried nigh the future of muscle cars in general.

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Chevy isn't the simply company known for having some loud and proud gas-guzzlers now seemingly being pivoted towards electrification. Ford latest Mustang Mach-E is a country mile away from the classic V8 'Stangs that make motorheads go all misty-eyed. And information technology's planning on turning the brawny Ford F-150, the all-time selling vehicle in America, into an electric machine.

Farewell to the gas-guzzling icons

Chevrolet Camaro — (Image credit: Chevrolet)

As a motorcar fan, only also someone who's not then keen on the devastating effects of climate change, I'm torn nearly seeing cars famed for big, loud V8 engines kickoff to swap from electric motors to lithium-ion batteries, you lot know, similar a frickin' smartphone.

Impractical as the likes of a Camaro or Shelby GT might be, there's something special hearing one approach in the distance with a sonorous tone from its V8 as it zips laissez passer. Or but, hearing the burble of that engine every bit it waits at a traffic light, seemingly wanting another car to claiming it to a quarter mile sprint.

Of course, equally a Brit, I tend to meet more sports over muscle cars on U.K. roads. The odd McLaren GT, Porsche 911 and Ferrari 488, for example. Only as impressive as these cars look, and perform, especially on the twisting British roads, they arguably lack the bombast of muscle cars.

The U.Grand.'s closest equivalent could be something like the raucous Jaguar F-type, with its popping V8 or V6. Both of which make some seriously silly racket when the pedal hits the lush carpeted floor.

Merely with Jaguar Land Rover also aiming for an all-electric line up by 2025, the loud Jag might be on borrowed fourth dimension.

The same could be true of GT cars as well, arguably the sophisticated neighbor of the muscle machine. I don't see razor abrupt sports cars like the Audi R8 disappearing anytime before long. But big-engine thousand tourers similar the Aston Martin Beat out or Bentley Continental could exist history; after all, with EVs seemingly delivering more range with each new car, and Tesla's Supercharger network e'er expanding, is there any demand for somewhat archaic petrol-chugging GTs?

I'thousand non sure there will be a demand exterior of the car collections of the rich. Rather, future GTs from premium brands are likely to be electric powerhouses swaddled in premium vegan leather.

Mod muscle

While I might be getting cornball for a grouping of cars I've simply grown up seeing on Tv set, car shows or rumbling past me, I'g also not going to get stuck in a nostalgic funk.

EVs may not have the shouty nature of muscle cars, but they certainly have the straight-line functioning. A Tesla Model S volition smoke (or surge past) many a powerful sports car from 0-60 miles per hour.

And the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT will practise the same, while as well providing some classic dynamic driving when the roads kickoff to twist. The Mustang Mach-E may not look similar the muscle car it takes its prefix from, just every bit our reviewer John R. Quain found it'due south not short on functioning.

Furthermore, with the Mach-E set to get a operation GT version, and Mercedes' AMG line looking at EVs, a new era of performance EVs that offer more than than only straight line speed could be coming soon.

So if the slow decease of the classic American muscle cars paves the way for more than exciting EVs, and so perhaps it'due south time to put nostalgia aside and welcome electric cars with open arms.

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Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'due south Guide with a focus on news, features and stance articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other $.25 of hardware; he'due south also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland tin can be found wandering around London, often with a expect of curiosity on his face.