Domestic Cars That Are the Envy of Detroit
It's like a gearhead's Zen koan: If you want the best American muscle cars, go to Australia. The logic is weird, but the facts are unassailable. US car companies started packing ludicrously powered V-8 engines into family cars more than four decades ago. Now their Melbourne-based subsidiaries — fueled by the country's popular V8 Supercars racing series — are keeping the torch lit. GM's Holden and Ford Australia modify prosaic sedans with racing-style engines, suspension systems, and other high-performance kit. No, you can't buy them here — and you'll have a hell of a time importing one. The good news: In 2008, Pontiac plans to introduce the G8 GT, built by Holden and shipped to the States. Unfortunately, the GT will be less potent than its Aussie cousins. Maybe it's time to pack the crash helmet, grab a kilowatts-to-horsepower conversion chart, and hop a Qantas flight to muscle-car nirvana?
Pontiac G8 GT
Introduced as a prototype earlier this year, the G8 GT is GM's latest attempt to make the car-buying public forget the Pontiac Aztek. It's based on the same Holden-built rear-wheel-drive architecture GM will use in the 2009 Camaro and has the same engine block as the, ahem, Suburban.
Available 2008 (US)
Engine 6-liter V-8
__Power __360 hp (268 kW)
__0 to 60 mph __5.5 seconds
Holden HSV Clubsport R8
The R8 shares many parts with the G8 GT, but the HSV crew put a little extra love into its local product. A souped-up engine computer and exhaust system combine to extract an extra 48 outback-burning horsepower. Crikey!
Available Now (Australia only)
Engine 6-liter V-8
__Power __ 412 hp (307 kW)
0 to 62 mph 4.96 seconds
__Ford FPV Falcon GT
__
Any hardcore Mad Max fan knows the 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT as the "last of the V-8 interceptors." This 40th anniversary edition Falcon, though not due to appear in any Smell Gibson movies, uses an Aussie-built version of the engine in the Ford GT.
Available 2008 (Australia only)
Engine 5.4-liter V-8
__Power __ 389 hp (290 kW)
__0 to 62 mph __ Undisclosed
Online Extras 
Wired 15.05 Slideshow: Motor City, AUS
