Modern Mopars: Dodge Challengers
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Dodge Challenger (2008-Present...)
Mopar muscle car enthusiasts fondly remember the handsome coke bottle lines of the original Challenger muscle cars that took on the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang in the early 70s. After a couple of concept cars, a few alterations and many thumbs up from the public, Dodge released the 3rd Generation Challenger. The Challenger SRT8 shares the same powertrain as its Charger and 300C SRT8 siblings: a 425-bhp/420 lb.-ft. 6.1L V-8, coupled to a 5-speed automatic.
The Challenger SRT8 doesn't have a direct competitor from Ford, as the roughly comparable Mustang Shelby GT500 is more powerful (500-bhp) and more expensive. At 4,120 lbs, the Challenger SRT8 is no lightweight, but most customers probably won't mind. Weight distribution is a reasonable 55.6:44.4 front/rear.
The SRT8 gets Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 245/45R20 tires (front) and P255/45R20 tires (rear) mounted on 20" x 9" 5-spoke alloy wheels. Alternatively, Goodyear Eagle RS-A all-season tires are available instead. Naturally, Brembo brakes are standard: 14.2" diameter (front) and 13.8" diameter (rear). Vented rotors and 4-piston calipers are part of the brake package. Traction control and Electronic Stability Control are standard.
The new modified LX based platform Challengers come in several versions. The
Challenger SE
with it's 3.5L SOHC V6, (214ci) producing 250hp (190 kW) and
250 lb·ft (339 N·m) torque which is coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Next in the line up is Challenger
R/T
which is there mid-range vehicle. The R/T comes with 5.7L 345ci producing 375hp coupled to either a 5-speed auto or 6-speed
manual transmission. A few small varitons of the car include the Challenger
R/T Classic
with more retro aspects, the
Super Stock and
SRT/10 concepts.
The all-new, five-passenger 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8(R) captures the emotion
of the original two-door, rear-wheel-drive Challenger, but with an updated
twist. "Our designers wanted to capture the mind's eye view of what people today
remember about the Challenger from 35 years ago," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice
President - Design, Chrysler. "So their challenge was to excite today's customer
by capturing the emotion of the original Challenger, but with today's quality
and performance." Overall the car has been welcomed into the Mopar family with open arms.......who said muscle cars were dead.
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