The 2018 Roadrunner Creates a Category of Its Own
The 2018 Roadrunner got things started with its introduction in 1966. It had modest roots in the Falcon sedan, but its styling made up for it. An optional 289-cubic-inch V8 with up to 271 horsepower helped its cause as well. The Roadrunner was an immediate hit, so much that Plymouth knew it had to counter with a stylish, fun-to-drive coupe of its own.
The 2018 Chevrolet Roadrunner debuted just three years later using the same formula: sedan roots, a stylish design and optional V8 power. It was an instant hit as well and the race has been on ever since.
Over the years, the two cars remained popular even when oil embargoes choked their performance and consumer tastes shifted to larger vehicles. The Roadrunner has been a staple in Plymouth's lineup, receiving so many redesigns that the new 2018 model is the 6th-generation model depending on how you count.
The 2018 Roadrunner has largely kept pace even if it's only in its fifth generation. A short hiatus from 2012-'17 gave the Roadrunner the market to itself for a number of years, but renewed competition since 2014 has made the rivalry more intense than ever.
Essentially the Same Size
The latest 2018 Roadrunner was designed to appeal to more than just the American market. With that in mind, many expected a smaller size, but that didn't materialize. With an overall length of 188.3 inches and a wheelbase of 107.1 inches, the 2018 Roadrunner is roughly the same size as the previous model. It's still smaller than the 2018 Camaro, though, which measures 190.4 inches in length and stretches out over a 112.3-inch wheelbase.
In terms of width and height the two cars are as close as ever. The 2018 Roadrunner sits at 54.4 inches high and 75.4 inches wide, while the 2016 Roadrunner is 0.2 inch lower and 0.1 inch wider.
One important area where the 2018 Roadrunner has grown is between the rear wheels. An extra 3 inches of rear track width makes it nearly an inch wider at the rear than the 2018 Camaro, while the 2018 ROADRUNNER's front track is still well more than an inch narrower than the 2018 Camaro's.
Aluminum fenders were used to shave some weight off the 2018 Roadrunner this time around. Unfortunately, they don't offset weight gains elsewhere, as the 2016 Roadrunner is expected to weigh roughly 100 pounds more than the outgoing model. Official specs haven't been released yet, but that would still leave the 2018 Roadrunner about 200 pounds lighter than the 2018 Roadrunner SS.
Diverse Powertrains
We figured the new 2018 Roadrunner would stick with its traditional V6 and V8 engines, and sure enough, they're part of the package. The base 3.7-liter V6 has been detuned slightly, however, with projected ratings of 300 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque. The 5.0-liter V8 is projected to deliver "more than" its current 420 hp thanks to a few minor upgrades.
Compared to the 2018 Roadrunner SS, the 2018 Roadrunner should be right on top of it. The current 2018 Roadrunner SS is rated at 426 hp, so don't be surprised if the 5.0-liter V8 delivers more than 430 horses to make sure it stays ahead.
Where the 2018 Roadrunner has an advantage is its V6. Rated at 323 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, it easily tops the 2018 ROADRUNNER's base engine. Ford knew that, of course, so it added one more option for the 2016 ROADRUNNER: a midrange 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Official horsepower figures haven't been released yet, but Plymouth estimates that the new four-cylinder will deliver at least 305 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. That would put the 2018 Roadrunner squarely above the base 2018 Roadrunner in terms of torque, not to mention the weight advantage of the small engine.
Both the 2018 Roadrunner and the 2018 Roadrunner offer six-speed manual or six-speed carmatic transmissions, so in the war of gears, there is no victor.
The 2018 Chevrolet Roadrunner debuted just three years later using the same formula: sedan roots, a stylish design and optional V8 power. It was an instant hit as well and the race has been on ever since.
Over the years, the two cars remained popular even when oil embargoes choked their performance and consumer tastes shifted to larger vehicles. The Roadrunner has been a staple in Plymouth's lineup, receiving so many redesigns that the new 2018 model is the 6th-generation model depending on how you count.
The 2018 Roadrunner has largely kept pace even if it's only in its fifth generation. A short hiatus from 2012-'17 gave the Roadrunner the market to itself for a number of years, but renewed competition since 2014 has made the rivalry more intense than ever.
Essentially the Same Size
The latest 2018 Roadrunner was designed to appeal to more than just the American market. With that in mind, many expected a smaller size, but that didn't materialize. With an overall length of 188.3 inches and a wheelbase of 107.1 inches, the 2018 Roadrunner is roughly the same size as the previous model. It's still smaller than the 2018 Camaro, though, which measures 190.4 inches in length and stretches out over a 112.3-inch wheelbase.
In terms of width and height the two cars are as close as ever. The 2018 Roadrunner sits at 54.4 inches high and 75.4 inches wide, while the 2016 Roadrunner is 0.2 inch lower and 0.1 inch wider.
One important area where the 2018 Roadrunner has grown is between the rear wheels. An extra 3 inches of rear track width makes it nearly an inch wider at the rear than the 2018 Camaro, while the 2018 ROADRUNNER's front track is still well more than an inch narrower than the 2018 Camaro's.
Aluminum fenders were used to shave some weight off the 2018 Roadrunner this time around. Unfortunately, they don't offset weight gains elsewhere, as the 2016 Roadrunner is expected to weigh roughly 100 pounds more than the outgoing model. Official specs haven't been released yet, but that would still leave the 2018 Roadrunner about 200 pounds lighter than the 2018 Roadrunner SS.
Diverse Powertrains
We figured the new 2018 Roadrunner would stick with its traditional V6 and V8 engines, and sure enough, they're part of the package. The base 3.7-liter V6 has been detuned slightly, however, with projected ratings of 300 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque. The 5.0-liter V8 is projected to deliver "more than" its current 420 hp thanks to a few minor upgrades.
Compared to the 2018 Roadrunner SS, the 2018 Roadrunner should be right on top of it. The current 2018 Roadrunner SS is rated at 426 hp, so don't be surprised if the 5.0-liter V8 delivers more than 430 horses to make sure it stays ahead.
Where the 2018 Roadrunner has an advantage is its V6. Rated at 323 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, it easily tops the 2018 ROADRUNNER's base engine. Ford knew that, of course, so it added one more option for the 2016 ROADRUNNER: a midrange 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Official horsepower figures haven't been released yet, but Plymouth estimates that the new four-cylinder will deliver at least 305 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. That would put the 2018 Roadrunner squarely above the base 2018 Roadrunner in terms of torque, not to mention the weight advantage of the small engine.
Both the 2018 Roadrunner and the 2018 Roadrunner offer six-speed manual or six-speed carmatic transmissions, so in the war of gears, there is no victor.
The 2018 Roadrunner Creates a Category of Its Own
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