Whether you prefer the brawny power of the Corvette C8 or the sleek exclusivity of Ferrari’s 812 Superfast, our head-to-head battle of American muscle cars vs European sports cars will satisfy your urges.
Both American and European cars have their unique selling points, but can those from the USA really be called supercars? That’s what we are assessing in this international showdown…
Why are there no American supercars?
Supercars are synonymous with Europe, but when attention turns to the supercar manufacturers of America, the garages are surprisingly bare. Yet America knows how to make a good car. So why are there no American supercars?
Well, in many senses, there are.
It’s simply that the lines between supercars and sports cars are already a little blurry, and American muscle cars just blur the lines further.
It would be fair to say that European manufacturers design their cars to a spec, while Americans tend to design their cars to a budget. This exclusivity in European cars is what really grants them supercar status. Only a very small percentage of the global population will ever own a Ferrari.
In truth, American manufacturers do make supercars in everything but name. Many of these cars look like supercars, drive like supercars, and perform like supercars – but are more affordable and less exclusive, so do not fit the traditional supercar stereotype.
Image: saleen.com
Look at the short-lived S7 from the Californian manufacturer Saleen. With a 7.0-litre V8 engine, this coupé could produce 550 horsepower, take you from 0 to 100 km/h in around 2.8 seconds, and hit an estimated top speed of 386 km/h (240 mph). It’s difficult to deny the S7 its supercar status.
European vs American car design: key differences
We have established that defining supercars is difficult. For us, it is easier to point out the differences between American vs European luxury cars. Please remember that these are all generalisations, but the following will give you an idea of what makes them different.
The most noticeable difference is that American cars are bigger. American cities are considerably newer and larger than those in Europe, meaning there is more space to cater for a bigger car. Trying to fit a Lincoln Continental, for example, through an Italian village or into a British parking space is just not practical.
Image: Gian Gomez on Unsplash
Because of this, American cars tend to be roomier, boxier and more robust than European cars. Not necessarily less good looking – just think of the beauty in the Corvette C8 – but generally less sophisticated.
There are many other generally agreed differences, such as European cars having better handling at higher speeds, hugging the road and offering more control. They also tend to be considered more efficient and reliable than American cars – one of the reasons you tend to pay more for them.
Modern American muscle cars, sports cars … and supercars
When American muscle is the topic of conversation, names such as Corvette, Dodge and Mustang are quickly mentioned.
These large muscle cars are perfect for cruising the never-ending highways of the United States and prove to be the ideal cars for road trips.
Image: Chris Sheehy on Unsplash
While they have broad profiles and roomy interiors, they can still hit some mean numbers. You will find classic muscle cars from the golden era, such as the Pontiac GTO and Plymouth Barracuda, as well as modern muscle cars including the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Ford Mustang GT. These can all blitz around a track.
But in addition to pure muscle, America can actually produce a more refined supercar.
The earlier mentioned Saleen S7 is a natural supercar, while Chevrolet’s Corvette C8 satisfies the vast majority of supercar criteria. With a sleek silhouette and cocoon-like interior, not to mention its 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 495 horsepower, the C8 would sit very comfortably next to many European supercars.
Why are muscle cars called muscle cars?
Good question! There’s actually nothing subtle about it. Because muscle cars have large and powerful engines – often 5 litres or more – they are packed with power. Of course, because muscle is a word synonymous with power and strength, these heavy, strong and aggressive American cars truly earn their brawny nickname.
Why is Europe the dominant force in manufacturing supercars?
Europe truly is home to the supercar. This is largely because the continent is where the most dominant marques in history are located.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Italy has Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati; Germany has Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche; and Great Britain has McLaren, Aston Martin and Rolls Royce. Then we have all the others such as Lotus, Jaguar, Bentley, and many more.
For its size and ability, the United States just cannot compete with the pedigree and history of supercars in Europe.
Which is the best European supercar brand? That’s a topic for another article, but be sure to read our comparison on Ferrari vs Lamborghini for more on the Italian rivalry.
Final verdict: European exotics vs. American muscle cars
Is a European supercar better than an American muscle car? It completely depends on what you are looking for.
If you want something with space, raw power and eye-catching brawn, all without completely breaking the bank, then an American muscle car may be just what you need.
If you want huge speed, finesse and style, but with more luxury and the air of exclusivity – and you don’t mind paying for the privilege – then your attention should be on European supercars.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
You can enjoy driving some of the world’s finest supercars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Bentley on some of the best driving roads by joining us on our signature supercar driving tour of Europe.
Or jump into our Chevrolet Corvette C8 on our epic exotic car tour of California, which peaks with a weekend at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
Whatever your style, Ultimate Driving Tours has the tour for you. Get in touch with our friendly team today.
