Ford, Chevy supercars defy the Dodge Demon
The American horsepower wars are in full red alert. Muscle-car contenders are coming out swinging to claim the title of biggest, baddest street bruiser.
Dodge has largely stayed on top, thanks to its 707-horsepower Charger and Challenger Hellcats. They'd like to keep it that way and anticipation is high for its SRT Demon debut at this week's New York International Auto Show. By design, Dodge has kept everyone in the dark on the track-terror's full specs, but from what's been teased it looks to be downright sinister.
That hasn't scared Texas-based tuner Hennessey Performance Engineering. It has faith that its recently unleashed Camaro-based fury will have what it takes to cast out Dodge's four-wheeled fiend. Hennessey has christened it the Exorcist with its performance package added onto the already wickedly fast 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The result is a total output of 1,000 horsepower. That comes by way of such things as a larger, higher flowing supercharger and intercooler system, ported cylinder heads, a hotter camshaft and long-tube stainless steel headers. When equipped with optional rear drag radial tires, the company claims 0-to-60 mph times under 3 seconds and quarter-mile times less than 10 seconds.
The ZL1's six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic can be used with the upgrade. The Camaro is available as a new turnkey vehicle from Hennessey and can also be ordered directly from Chevrolet dealers. Interested ZL1 Camaro owners also can send their cares to Hennessey for the conversion, too.
The base cost for the Exorcist upgrade is $55,000 and includes a limited two-year/24,000-mile warranty. For drivers wanting the automatic transmission, there's an additional charge of $9,950 to beef it up to handle the brunt of the engine's 996 foot-pounds of torque.
Just 100 units of the Exorcist will be produced per model year.
Ford's flying filly
Not one to be outdone, Roush Performance, longtime tuner of Ford Mustangs and F-150s, is deploying its latest street fighter - the 2017 P-51 Mustang.
Only 51 will be built and as of right now, it's got the title of being the most powerful American production car, boasting 727 horsepower. The car starts off a Mustang GT Premium Coupe and then is enhanced with Roush performance parts and custom tuning.
The 5.0-liter V-8 gets a "Roushcharger" supercharger and an active exhaust system. Drivers can choose between three distinct preloaded exhaust "sound profiles," as well as a "custom" setting that can be tuned with a mobile app for "virtually an endless exhaust sound possibility," the company says.
Lightweight 19-inch wheels are mounted at the car's corners, wrapped in aggressive Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires. The brakes have been upgraded and feature PFC street performance rotors and pads.
The P-51 gets a three-way height-adjustable suspension, allowing the vehicle to drop to a ride height lower than that of the Roush Stage 3 package - the brand's current top-of-the-line offering. This will lend to better handling and performance when the P-51 flies around a track.
Either a manual or automatic transmission is available. True to its name, the sports car takes loads of inspiration from the iconic World War II fighter plane. Roush founder Jack Roush is an avid aviation enthusiast and owns two P-51s.
Each road-going vehicle comes in Ingot Silver, complemented by olive drab green accents on the front fenders and hood. There's also a new carbon rear deck lid spoiler and front splitter with support brackets and custom badges.
The Roush team used an authentic World War II bomber jacket as inspiration for the two-toned interior, which features brown leather upholstery and door inserts. Other touches include a gauge logo, red shifter ball and dash plaque autographed by Jack Roush. The speedometer reads "ground speed."
Production of the Mustangs (all of which have been spoken for) begins later this month at the Roush Performance assembly facility in Plymouth Township, Michigan. The P-51 package retails for $42,500 above the price of the base Mustang and includes a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
It's an electrifying season for performance supercars and each of these shots across the bow indicate the three powerful players are preparing for battle. When that happens, it'll make for some seriously epic clashes at your local drag strip.