The Top 3 Foreign Muscle Cars According to Edmunds

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Muscle cars are defined as mid-sized cars stuffed with massive engines. By that standard, the muscle car has traveled and evolved into many different shapes and characters. An R32 Skyline could be considered a Japanese muscle car, much like the M5 in Germany. Edmunds released an article about the best muscle cars and included some choices that hail from across both ponds. These are the top three foreign muscle cars as chosen by Edmunds.

Aggressive and underpowered: Lexus RC F

Lexus RC F | Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Lexus

Nipping at the heels of the Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, and Charger was Lexus’ RC F. It certainly qualifies on paper as a muscle car, sporting a 472-hp 5.0-liter V8 and rear-wheel drive. However, on the road, it leaves mild-mannered skidmarks of regret in its wake. The options are a plus, with adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential, and Brembo brakes. Unfortunately, it’s outperformed by its American brethren in power and functionality. The RC F’s curb weight isn’t anything to brag about either.

The Lexus’ base price sits at $66,000 which puts it more in league with the BMW M3, which isn’t a good thing. The BMW is a proper villain, aggressive and dominating, and while the Lexus propagates stylings akin to a wolverine, it doesn’t appear to have the grunt to back it up, according to Edmunds.

Almost too much to handle: Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 S

2018 mercedes-benz e63 s amg unveil
2018 Mercedes AMG E 63 S Edition | ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

At quite a mouthful already the AMG starts at $108,345. It’s certainly a more vicious muscle car than the Lexus, with a handcrafted 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 producing 603 horsepower. The price is hefty, but it comes packed with technology. It uses CAMTRONIC as AMG’s cylinder cut-off feature to boost fuel efficiency at low revs, and NANOSLIDE which coats the cylinder walls to guarantee less friction. 

The car uses all-wheel drive and an MCT 9-speed automatic transmission which allows for quick downshifting with spirited driving and decoupling while cruising. The AMG launches with staunch commitment but can be stiff on everyday roads. It’s best suited for track or mountain driving, but with either purpose, its price should deter too much mischief. 

Bread and butter performance: Nissan GT-R

nissan gt-r with martini livery driving in london
Nissan GTR with Martini Livery | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

Godzilla itself of course makes the list and proves that muscle cars don’t need V8s to rip through competition. Its 565 horsepower 3.8-liter V6 speaks for itself, and loudly. The GT-R is a technological masterpiece, with more computers than the ISS. However, some may call this a drawback. 

For raw performance, the GT-R is tough to beat. For a driver who wants to feel every gear change and every slip of the tires, the GT-R’s technology could be seen as a hindrance. Its starting price is $114,000, which clears both the Lexus and the Mercedes, but arguably provides a more disconnected driving experience.

Muscle cars don’t need to have big V8s, nor do they even need to be rear-wheel drive. A muscle car just needs a lot of power, in a mid-sized body. This refutes a lot of the rules, paving the way for more creativity. The muscle car isn’t locked to the American market. Other countries have released their own versions, and will hopefully continue to do so.

RELATED: 6 Muscle Cars From Abroad

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5 Classic Cars That Are Making a Comeback

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Even if you don’t quite consider yourself to be a gear head, you likely still have an appreciation for classic cars. Most consumers feel some nostalgia reminiscing about their childhood road trips in the family wagon or remembering the beefy engine sound of Dad’s old muscle car. It’s that nostalgia that automakers are counting on to drive car sales today. Many classic cars are making a comeback with new styles, better technology, and innovative safety features. However, they still represent the old-fashioned brands that consumers loved years ago.

People sure do love their classic cars

A Chevrolet Corvette Stingray model | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Car and Driver reported metrics suggesting that baby boomers are responsible for today’s classic car collections, with roughly 58% of the five million vehicles still insured being owned by those born between 1946 and 1964. Furthermore, those classic car collections tend to reflect car sales and ongoing generational interest. So, why would so many Americans prefer the outdated tech, rough rides, and hard-to-find parts supplies for these older model beasts?

Drive Tribe says there’s a big difference between an old car and a classic car. A classic car offers a unique experience that makes drivers feel something special. That feeling far outweighs any mechanical or design drawbacks. The nostalgia of driving a 1964 Chevy Corvette or shifting the three-speed on the floor shifter in a 1965 Mustang Convertible surges endorphins for those who love them.

These classic models are making a comeback

Automakers rely on those strong emotional attachments to classic cars, and many are reintroducing fresh takes on old favorites. These five nameplates are making a comeback in a big way, and companies like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are hoping the latest renditions inspire ROI they can take to the bank. 

The Ford Bronco, the Ford Ranger, the Chevy Corvette ZR1, the Jeep Gladiator, and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer are all-new takes on classic cars available at dealerships in 2021. The Ford Ranger returns after a hiatus in response to the growing consumer demand for the return of a powerful and fun midsize pickup. Jeep brings back the pickup variation of the Wrangler with the Gladiator, harkening to the Comanche of years past. The Chevy Corvette ZR1 brings back the LT5 that enthusiasts love most. Many are excited to see the “woody” version of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, reminiscent of childhood grocery-getters. Lastly, the Ford Bronco returns in response to the growing population of collectors willing to spend big to buy classic car reinventions.

A blast from the past

Ford spent a lot of attention on resurrecting the Bronco. This 4×4 gem will feature a new style, upgraded tech, serious off-road chops. Logically, the Ford is using the Bronco fame to bring back the Ford Ranger, too. With the Ranger, Ford demonstrates it’s serious about competing in the midsize class with the likes of the Canyon and Colorado. Progressive’s Life Lanes quoted Ford officials, “we heard our customers loud and clear.”

Jeep has always been a niche favorite for top-off, rock-crawling, 4×4 lovers. Bringing back the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and the Jeep Gladiator speaks to a broader audience. Now, families can reap the rewards of four-wheel-drive Jeep fun with the Wagoneer. Furthermore, those looking for a functional midsize pickup can choose the Gladiator to get the off-road fun of a Wrangler fun right along with an economical truck bed. 

The Chevy Corvette has long been a classic car gem. There isn’t an auto auction lane that doesn’t usually feature at least one older Corvette model up for sale. Therefore, it’s no wonder that Chevrolet continues to bring back this iconic sportscar. While the styles and innovations shift with the times, the roaring engine power and pavement chomping prowess remain consistent. The Chevy Corvette ZR1 will surely end up in a few car collections.

Classic cars may satisfy the emotional component of vehicle appreciation. However, consumers do still need today’s efficiencies, tech, and safety. Maybe that’s why these five classic cars are making a comeback, allowing them to scratch both consumer itches. 

RELATED: 5 Collector Cars You Might Want to Buy Right Now

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Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Revealed At Pebble Beach

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Aston Martin may come away from Monterey Car Week as the winner in the “biggest reveal” category. All they had to do was take the top of their latest hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. It is funny that even the most hardcore hypercar still has a market for those who want to drive with the top down.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider made its debut at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and marked what Aston Martin calls the “progression of the Aston Martin Valkyrie bloodline.” Could that mean there will be more variations of the Valkyrie in the future? Perhaps, Aston Martin will reveal any plans for another variant of the hypercar during the auto show season next year.

How did Aston Martin remove the roof from the Valkyrie?

Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider | Aston Martin

One of the essential elements of any hypercar chassis is its rigidity. Engineers take care to design a chassis that can withstand lateral forces without bending or flexing. Removing the roof will undoubtedly compromise that goal. So, some engineering magic is required when manufacturers want to create a convertible version of a high-performance car.

Thankfully for Aston Martin, they had the help of Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer and aerodynamic extraordinaire Adrian Newey. As a result of their combined efforts, the team created custom supports for the chassis that maintain the same levels of integrity as the Valkyrie coupe. To accommodate the removable roof, the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider is equipped with front-hinged dihedral doors. It is an elegant solution, but it was not easy to achieve.

As Adrian Newey explains, “What you see is a simple removable roof panel, but the challenge of remaining true to the Valkyrie concept was anything but. Maintaining aerodynamic performance with the roof removed was of paramount importance, likewise keeping any unavoidable weight gains to an absolute minimum whilst maximizing enjoyment for the driver.” 

That “enjoyment for the driver” means that the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider can reach a top speed of 205 mph with the top down. 

Does the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider have any other differences?

The Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider parked next to the Aston Martin Valkyrie coupe.
Both models of Aston Martin Valkyrie | Aston Martin

Besides the dihedral doors, the removable roof, and the extra chassis bracing, there are no other major differences between the Valkyrie Spider and the coupe. Both cars come with the same 1,140 hp hybrid V12 powertrain.

Naturally, Aston Martin wanted to keep the experiences as parallel as possible between the Spider and the coupe to avoid shortchanging either model. They have stressed that maintaining parity was a high priority. However, one can argue that taking the top off on such a radically designed hypercar is quite the advantage.

That is a notion that even Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers acknowledges stating, “The driving experience promises to be truly sensational. The sound of that 6.5-liter V12 engine revving to over 11,000 rpm with the roof removed is something I cannot wait to hear.”

Is The Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider sold out?

Aston Martin originally only planned to produce 85 examples of the Valkyrie Spider, and currently, all of them have sold out. Aston Martin said that the car was “oversubscribed.” Though, we are not convinced that Aston Martin will produce more cars beyond the planned 85. 

Anyone who missed out on the Valkyrie Spider should probably start planning for the next Valkyrie variant, assuming that there will be one at Monterey Car Week 2022. 

RELATED: Aston Martin’s New Mid-Engine Vanquish Will Be a Bargain Compared to Its Hypercars

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Shooting Brakes and Station Wagons: What’s the Difference?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you dig deep down the obscure car rabbit hole, you may stumble upon the phrase “Shooting Brake.” They look fairly similar to station wagons, which are becoming increasingly uncommon. Both have large trunks, both are long and low, but their names differ greatly. So what exactly are they, and how are they different from estates?

Dodge Magnum Station Wagon (top) and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Shooting Brake (bottom) | John B. Carnett/Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

What is the difference between shooting brakes and station wagons?

Well, the answer is fairly simple: a station wagon has four doors, whereas a shooting brake has two. While Carwow says that shooting brakes also have more sweeping rooflines, it all boils down to the number of side doors the vehicle has.

Some shooting brakes might be mistaken for coupes, but their longer bodies and hatchback trunks are dead giveaways. They also tend to be more luxurious, whereas station wagons are built around practicality. After all, four doors in your estate make it easier for everyone to get in and out.

There are exceptions to this “rule,” such as the Volkswagen Squareback, VW’s tiny Beetle-based wagon that came after the Bus. But the Ferarri FF is a much more “high society” example. They’re a combination of a coupe and a estate, with the door count from a coupe and the trunk space of an estate. But the term shooting brake sounds odd. A station wagon makes sense, as they were originally wagons pulled by horses. So where did the strange name come from?

Why is it called a shooting brake?

Rolls Royce Shooting Brake
Rolls Royce Shooting Brake | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

The name originates from the 1890s, before motorcars were even mainstream. Brakes were the kind of carriage pulled by younger horses, as a means to break them in and train them for bigger and better wagons. And these brakes were primarily used by hunting parties. Put them together, and you have shooting brakes. Though the car was vastly different than the carriage.

For starters, the carriage was open and had no roof, that way the hunters could stand up, see around them, and shoot. They were high off the ground, sort of like a mobile platform, giving them a vantage point over their game. And, most obviously, they were pulled by horses.

There really isn’t a connection between the cars and the carriage. But if I had a hunch, the reasoning behind the name is that it just sounds better. A while ago, Mercedes called their four-doored CLA a shooting brake even though, in technicality, it’d be a wagon. It just makes a car sound fancier, even if the name doesn’t exactly mean anything.

Though whether it’s a station wagon or a shooting brake, there’s no denying that the sales of both are drastically dipping in the states.

Both shooting brakes and station wagons are dying breeds in America

Volvo 850 Station Wagon and Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake
Volvo 850 Station Wagon (top) and Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake (bottom) | National Motor Museum/Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

Shooting brakes were uncommon from the start, but with crossovers and compacts taking the country by storm, station wagons are being pulled out of the US as well. The Passat wagon disappeared a long while ago, and now the Passat sedan will be leaving as well. Even Volvo recently pulled some of their wagons as well, despite the fact that the Volvo 245 and 850 may be the most iconic wagons in history.

So while you now differentiate the two body styles, this new information may fade into obscurity. But hey, at least now you know the difference.

RELATED: This Custom Corvette Wagon Can Be Yours for $20,000

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