Nearly half of all Challengers sold will be V6s

Just a few days after Bob Lutz told the press in New York that the Camaro could be getting a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, Chrysler has announced that it estimates 40% of Challenger sales will be V6-powered base models, like its competitor, the Ford Mustang.

Although the company has been pushing the new Challenger as a muscle car with the images and video of its range-topping SRT8 model, which generates 425hp and 420lb-ft of torque from its 6.1L Hemi V8, it turns out the Challenger will be built on a pony-car foundation of 3.5L V6s. In between the two extremes will sit the R/T version with a 5.7L Hemi V8 (pictured).

A Chrysler Group spokesperson told Kicking Tires that it's the look of the car that will drive most sales, and that people will be happy to get it for just over $20,000 in a base V6 model. Those with a hunger for more thunder will have to pay up to $37,320 for the SRT8, however. And although the base model will be bought for its lower expense and ostensibly superior fuel efficiency, the V6 Challenger SE only rates at 18mpg city and 25mpg highway, slightly higher than a comparably equipped Mustang, but still well below what most would call economical.

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T