Muscle Cars That Aren’t American

Muscle Cars That Aren’t American

Muscle cars are seen as very American. There is a reason for this as muscle cars were born in America and many of the famous one including the Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger R/T and Chevrolet Chevelle SS. In fact, the definition of a muscle car is a mid-sized car, aimed at achieving maximum speed, and equipped with a huge V8 engine that is sold at an affordable price.

The American muscle car has returned to full strength with the new Ford Mustang that was launched in Britain for the first time with right-hand drive. It has been a big hit and is available to drive away on PCP car finance with low monthly payments. But what about the muscle cars that aren’t American?

Here are a selection of non-American muscle cars.

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS – Australian/British

The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is a British muscle car that is based on the Australian Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) GTS. It stands out from the other cars Vauxhall manufactures like the Corsa and Astra with the fact it has a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine.

From that V8 engine, Vauxhall produced 585 bhp, that allows the driver to control a limited top speed of 155 mph. It is a fairly affordable muscle car for the British owner coming out at £54,325. With that price in mind, Vauxhall expect to sell 25-30 a year.

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS – Australian/British - Holden HSV

Lexus IS-F  Japanese

The Japanese are famous for creating brilliant, fast sports cars like the Nissan GTR and the Lexus LFA. Lexus has, however, been after the European market, chasing BMW M-series cars and Mercedes AMGs. By doing so with the Lexus IS-F, Lexus have created a muscle car with a 5.0-litre V8 engine that delivers 371 lb ft of torque.

Thanks to the V8 engine, the Lexus could hit a top speed of 168 mph and has an acceleration time from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. When it was on sale back between 2008-2012, the Lexus IS-F cost brand new around £56,000-57,000.

Lexus IS-F  Japanese

Holden HSV –  Four Door Corvette ZR1 – Australian

This Australian beast is based off the American Corvette ZR1 but it has four doors. The Holden HSV which the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is based off has an LS9 supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine. This very impressive muscle car is still going and can be bought today.

2016’s GTS model keeps the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive system. It comes with a top speed of 204 mph and can sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Who needs a Mustang when you have this on offer?

Holden HSV -  Four Door Corvette ZR1 – Australian

Jensen Interceptor British

You may not be able to imagine the British in muscle cars but in 1966, they manufactured one. The Jensen Interceptor started out with a 6.2-litre V8 engine, but in 1971, that engine was replaced with a 7.2-litre V8. This car was a pure British muscle car that would have fitted in well with the American muscle cars coming out of Detroit.

The first model of the Interceptor had 325 bhp and could do 139 mph top speed. From 0-60 mph, it took 6.5 seconds. The second model, manufactured between 1971-1976 produced 330 bhp. From that power, this edition has a lesser top speed of 135 mph and an acceleration time from 0-60 mph of 7.5 seconds.

Jensen Interceptor British

Ford Capri Perana South Africa

Ford Capri is nicknamed the European Mustang. It was one sale from the 1969 – 1986 and was highly successful. The Ford Capri Perana was an altered version of the Capri and had a 5.0-litre V8 engine that matched well with the lowered suspension and custom limited-slip differential to ensure this car was an impressive muscle car. The 1973 model of the Ford Capri V8 Perana has a 4-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive system and obviously the V8 engine. Its top speed was 137 mph and it could go from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.

Muscle cars are, if not owned by, loved by petrol heads all over the World. Not all muscle cars are American, but they are very important to the culture of America.

If you fancy owning or leasing a muscle car, you do have such a great selection such as the new Ford Mustang. You can get it on a cheap car finance agreement so you simply pay the monthly payment and you can drive away with it within 10 days from Hippo Motor Finance.

Ford Capri Perana South Africa

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