By Juan Carlos Maimone
While GM announces the end of the Camaro and there’s a question mark raised over the Charger and Challenger, Ford flaunts the refreshed 2024 Mustang model.
Does this represent a policy of total hegemony on the part of Ford’s pony among North American sports cars or also the end of a death foretold…?
What we do know; is that the Dodge Charger and Challenger will say goodbye in 2024 and with them the powerful V8, while the brand confirms the arrival of a plug-in hybrid. Remember that the Hellcat is not a simple engine.
This supercharged V8 with its 707 HPs. Over time, it has become an icon and a symbol among the “muscle car”. However, since February we knew that it had an expiration date.
Besides; GM announces that the name “Camaro” will continue to be used in racing series such as NASCAR, IMSA, SRO, NHRA and Supercars Championship, but it disappears from the market as a road car.
The big question then forces us to look at the new 2024 Mustang, presented with some fanfare by the oval brand. However; Many experts say this seventh-generation member is the last gas-powered Mustang and a full EV strategy would be adopted like Dodge.
If this is really the case; So Ford has done a great job on the final creation of its flagship product, by the way, quite special, updating and refining its iconic muscle car.
But what is its future ?
Because if we review the new Mustang Mach E, it has little or nothing to do with the recently introduced model.
At this stage; It is not necessary to confirm that the future is predestined for the electric car or the plug-in hybrid and the fight for supremacy in this sense is growing. However; In our country there is a historical culture, always linked to V8 engines and their roar that will be very difficult to rule out.
Besides; This excessive dispute for supremacy in the new technology has produced an almost ghostly appearance of EV vehicles, without an appropriate infrastructure, which has caused severe disruptions in recharging with the aggravating circumstance of very poor autonomy.
So; Is the disappearance of the “muscle cars” on the horizon a real solution or will it become another of the great mistakes of the industry over time…?