why dont they sell muscle cars in europe?

[1mic]

well simple: TVR, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin and TONS more make faster cars.

 

[1mic]

Z06 is good but who would SERIOUSLY spend more then $50,000 on a fixed up corvette? id rather buy a M3 CSL with that money

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by 1mic
well simple: TVR, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin and TONS more make faster cars.

I think one could argue that the current lineup of German performance sedans are muscle cars. The best example, IMO, is the 2003 Audi S4: 4.2L V8 in a Passat. Wasn't that the idea behind the original muscle cars? Big engine, small car. On top of that, the BMW M5 is borderline, but the new Merc E55(479HP!)/S55/S600/CLK55/CLK600, and Audi RS6 seem to fit the bill, too. They're ridiculous. Less than 10 years ago, 450HP was the realm of supercars only. All the cars I just listed (except the M5) have 450HP minimum.

And on top of all that, the higher-end cars from TVR, BMW, Porsche, etc., are better cars in quality, luxury, and looks. Europe is making some truly awesome -- if expensive -- cars these days.

BTW, what really qualifies as a muscle car? Is it just having a huge engine (more than 6 cylinders or 4.0L+) or having whatever engine in a car normally considered too small for that engine?

 

[DGB454]

Good question. I will have to do a little research on that one. I know several people that live in Europe. I will be glad to ask them why they aren't as popular there as they are here.

 

[vat_man]

I can think of two reasons right now:
- fuel prices
- emission laws

 

[pedrodaman]

Originally posted by vat_man
I can think of two reasons right now:
- fuel prices
- emission laws

exactly

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by vat_man
I can think of two reasons right now:
- fuel prices
- emission laws

Definitely fuel price, the emission laws aren't that strict in Europe.

 

[pedrodaman]

Originally posted by rufrgt_sn00pie2001


Definitely fuel price, the emission laws aren't that strict in Europe.

Thats all about to change at the start of the new year according to new legislation

Certain types of cars must be registered before the end of the year or they will not pass emissions test's

 

[Race Idiot]

Originally posted by vat_man
I can think of two reasons right now:
- fuel prices
- emission laws

Couldnt agree more.

See if I was an american id probably be driving a mustang, or something. But im stuck with my fiesta (maybe engine swap for fiesta rs turbo). Although oddly enough there is an old firebird on the next road and a few streets down there is a 68 Mercury Cougar XR7. So there are a few and I even saw an Ugly vette. today. But no musclecars are rare as hell, I just see most of them.

 

[Talentless]

Europe the great preacher of the enviro does not have uber strict enviro laws? That's ... interesting.

What about roads and size? I mean, if you go by US standards I would think our cars muscle cars to cumbersome for some of the narrow roads.

 

[Gil]

In Europe gas cost per liter is about what we pay per gallon in the US.
That makes cars that are fast and economical the "muscle" cars on that side of the great pond.