Since the 1980′s the UK has survived solely on Japanese, European and British sports cars. But now the major US players are back in town, and they’re packing cubes and horses…

By that we mean cubic inches (engine displacement) and brake horsepower, but then you knew that, right?

In the 70′s in the US they said “there’s no replacement for displacement” and they certainly meant it. There were cars coming out of Detroit with 7.1 litre engines as standard. Absolute madness. They never officially brought the beasts to the UK then, but they were imported anyway. Of course then the oil crisis hit, and all the US manufacturers chickened out and started producing limp coupes and convertibles with 5 litre engines, producing a measly 140bhp.

So, back to 2010. Finally sense has arrived in Detroit, and they have realised that here in the UK we like fast sportscars which make a rather nice noise to boot. Leading the way are Chevrolet, who have been importing the Corvette for a few years now. The 6.2 litre V8 engined iconic coupe has only been sold in Left Hand Drive though, so we can’t give them full credit. Until now… For in 2011 you will be able to buy a Right Hand Drive Chevrolet Camaro SS (pictured above).

Styled as a modern take on the retro 1969 Camaro, it gained worldwide fame in the Transformers film remake, making every male over the age of 25 want one instantly. The Corvette’s 425bhp 6.2 litre V8 sits in the front, and drives of course, the rear wheels. The noise is pure V8, rumbling around the streets, deep bass echoing off the street walls. And now we’re going to get the Camaro, which is only a good thing.

Chevrolet aren’t the only ones remaking classic icons though. The age old battle is still there.

Camaro Vs Challenger Vs Mustang

The Challenger and Mustang aren’t officially available in the UK through Dodge and Ford, but there are countless importers happy to take your money and put one on your driveway.

Dodge’s Challenger is probably the most faithful to its 1970′s design, looking like an update more than a new model. Under the large bulging bonnet is a 6.1 litre Hemi V8 pushing out 425bhp, and again makes a sinful noise. Big wheels, lairy paint job and a huge road footprint complete the wonderful picture. In fact, the wonderful picture is included above, showing the Challenger SRT-8 doing a very ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ jump.

Ford has never stopped making the Mustang, but only in the 2007 version had it created a credible rival to modern sportcars. Then in 2010 they have replaced the archaic 4.6 V8 with a brand new 5.0 litre V8, which produces 418bhp, and is cleaner and more economical than the old engine. They also offer a 3.7 litre V6 with 305bhp, which is for the first time a credible alternative to the V8, but of course that would be a bit like having a Gin and Tonic without the Gin. The Mustang gets one up on the others though, by being available as a convertible as well.

The Camaro is going to be around £40,000 in RHD, and an importer will put a LHD Mustang or Challenger SRT-8 for around the same price. So really the choice is yours.

This writer would take a 5.0 V8 Mustang Convertible, in white, with black stripes and red leather interior (see picture in thumbnails), and cruise around pretending he was in LA. What would you have?

Leave a comment and let us know!