The V8 engine is a staple of the muscle car scene and a mandatory engine configuration, right? Well, not exactly. Even though the V8s made the muscle car scene and established its popularity, some car manufacturers presented models with fewer than eight cylinders. Does this mean that those cars were slower and less desirable? No, and we will prove to you why.
1. Chevrolet Corvette 1953
The most exciting thing about the new Corvette was the fiberglass body, and back in the early ’50s, plastic was still the material of the future in the industry. Under the hood was an inline-six engine called “Blue Flame,” which featured a 3.9-liter displacement and a modest 136 hp rating.
Although equipped with three Carter carburetors, the engine came from Chevrolet’s standard lineup. Chevrolet engineers tried to keep the costs down by borrowing mechanical components from other vehicles and using them on the Corvette.
2. Pontiac Firebird Sprint
The secret of the Firebird Sprint was the engine. It was a 250 CID straight-six with a single overhead camshaft. It produced 215 HP in the 1967-68 model years and 230 HP in 1969. Compared to the 350 and 400 CID V8, this was not impressive.
But Sprint Six had serious torque and a small weight, revving happily to 6,000 rpm. In the days of V8 monsters, a six-cylinder Firebird had an almost European feel. Unfortunately, not many people understood this model. Despite the modest price and unique characteristics, it only sold a few thousand copies in its three-year production run.
3. AMC Javelin
To compete with the Mustang and the Camaro, AMC presented the Javelin in 1968. It was a small sports coupe with a six-cylinder and a V8 engine. The 252 straight-six engine was an offering, delivering 170 hp and decent performance.
The new model proved to be very successful on the streets and race tracks in America, and javelins were among the fastest cars of the period. In those days, AMC was considered a budget manufacturer, and the Javelin’s sporting image really helped the company’s image.
4. Buick GNX
Nobody expected such a bold move from Buick. After all, Buick was a company for older adults producing cars without any excitement. And all of a sudden, there was a turbocharged V6 coupe that broke every classic muscle car mold and was faster than a Ferrari.
At that moment, the Buick GNX was the fastest-accelerating production model in the world. It featured the same 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 but with 275 hp and 0 to 60 mph of 4.7 seconds. It’s too bad that Buick made just 547 examples of this very influential car.
5. Pontiac Fiero
For the standards of the day, this was the most advanced American production model. The customers were pretty hyped by the Fiero’s appearance, cool, modern design, and advanced technology; the initial response was more than reasonable. For example, 1983 sales figures were over 130,000 examples.
Unfortunately, Pontiac didn’t develop the Fiero, and the early models were badly put together. Engine power was not great, and the interior was cramped. GM responded by upgrading the car, and by the end of the ’80s, the Fiero was a solid sports car with 150 hp from its 2.8-liter V6 engine and improvements all around. However, it was too little, too late.
6. GMC Typhoon
More than 25 years since the first Typhoons saw the light of day, this vehicle is still a benchmark of performance and style. But what makes it so interesting and desirable? First, the engine. Typhoons were equipped with a 4.3-liter V6 engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. The power output was 280 hp, which is not that impressive today, but back in 1991, it was a nice number.
However, the automatic transmission, performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system, and suspension really improved performance, and the Typhoon could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.
7. Dodge Challenger GT
What is the definition of a muscle car? A two-door coupe with a big V8 engine and rear-wheel drive, right? Well, Dodge has a different vision. For decades, muscle cars were rear-wheel drive-only vehicles, and in 2016, Dodge introduced a special model in its Challenger lineup called GT AWD.
First, it is a Challenger with recognizable coupe styling, retro charm, and aggressive stance, but underneath the cool-looking body, there is a V6 and intelligent all-wheel drive system. There are no more smoky burnouts and rear wheels on fire. Instead, now there is loads of traction even in the most challenging conditions.
8. Ford Mustang EcoBoost
After the global economic recession, Ford was the first major manufacturer to introduce a downsized, turbocharged engine. It looked strange initially, but it proved to be a good business move since the most significant part of Ford’s global engine lineup includes turbocharged four-cylinders. This influenced the production of traditional muscle cars like the Mustang.
When Ford presented the latest generation, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost had a place in their engine lineup. The engine proved to be capable and popular with consumers. It is fast, with an acceleration time of 5.1 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and around 150 mph.
9. Chevrolet Camaro 2.0
Muscle car purists may wonder why Chevy would produce a four-banger Camaro. However, the new Camaro turbo is an excellent car with better performance ratings than classic V8-powered models from the 1960s. Under the hood is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 275 HP. In just 5.1 seconds, it can propel the heavy coupe from 0 to 60 mph.
It can go up to 155 mph for a top speed. Although the four-cylinder Camaro may not have the glorious soundtrack of a V8 engine, it has the performance and fuel economy that V8s have always lacked. The motoring press loved the new downsized engine, and this version has proven how far technology has come.
10. Cadillac ATS-V
Introduced in 2016, the Cadillac ATS-V is a compact and immensely powerful model. With this car, Cadillac attacked the likes of Mercedes C Class and BMW 3 Series with a modern executive sedan with recognizable styling and brutal power.
Under the hood is the twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 engine with 464 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to launch the ATS-V from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and top the speed of an astonishing 189 mph.