Posted on Wednesday 6 February 2008
After months of leaked images and drip-fed teasers Chrysler has finally released full details for its all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 muscle car. The new model will be making its world debut this week at the Chicago Auto Show but it has actually been on sale since December of last year. The Challenger is the fourth vehicle to ride on Chrysler’s LX platform, succeeding the 300C, the Charger and the ill-fated Magnum, but unlike its siblings each SRT8 variant will come with a unique numbered dash plaque, carbon hood stripes, forged aluminum 20in alloys, and the SRT prepped 6.1L HEMI V8 engine complete with 425hp and 420lb-ft of torque.
Performance targets for the new Challenger SRT8 include a 0-60mph time in the low five-second range, 0-100-0mph in less than 17 seconds, a quarter mile time of less than 14 seconds, 60-0mph braking distance of approximately 110ft, and a skid pad performance of 0.88g. Transmission options include either a five-speed auto or six-speed manual, although the car will initially be available with the automatic only.
Though the 2008 Dodge is a pure-blooded muscle car it also comes packed with the latest in in-car technology. Some of the gadgets include GPS navigation, keyless start and entry, a MyGIG infotainment system and UConnect hands-free communication.
SRT8 models are limited to just three different colors, the familiar HEMI Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal, so picking a color won’t be too hard when the first cars arrive in showrooms this spring. As earlier confirmed, the car will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant and will be priced from just $37,995.
Dodge will follow up the SRT8 with regular Challenger models, which will be available with both V6 and V8 powerplants, but no official details have been released yet. Base models are expected to get a 3.5L V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the mid-spec R/T will come with a 5.7L V8 engine.
You can have it, thanks. The 1970s are over guys. Deal with it and get a clue how to design cars that actually look like 30 years have gone by. Bunch of underachievers….
This Challenger has the great styling of the 70’s Challengers, with all the attributes of a modern car. This MOPAR is for those of us that still like the muscle car looks, but want all advantages of modern technology. People like Hector can get a Hyundai…
The exterieur of the Challenger is great but the interieor looks so cheap. It is a sad desert of plastic inside. Just the same as in the Mustang. But imagine the great picture we will get at the beginning of 2009 when we will see pictures of the Mustang, Challenger und Camaro in a line. Wihtout much doubt it will be the last time that we will see new cars like these.
Although i agree with Hector that they should really move on with the design and not stuck in the past, it is indeed a nice looking car. However with cars like this, you can do the retro once, and it’s all good, but where are you going to go from here? The new Mini is one example, the new new Mini looks pretty much the same as the new Mini
Hector drives a Camry, give him a break…
I think this car looks stunning on the outside, but plain on the inside. I was expecting some highlights, chrome or aluminum maybe like the older cars?
I read that it will come with only a 6.1 Hemi at first. But low 5 second 0-60 seems a little slow for 425 horsepower. The Mustang GT with 300 horsepower does it in 5 flat, I was expecting better from this one.
The old-looking Mustang sells like hotcakes, if this one is priced right it should do the same.
Guys: if 30 years from now you see an almost exact copy of an Audi R8 or an Aston Martin DB8 or a (pick a car), wouldn’t you think *wow! these guys are out of ideas and they can do nothing better than bring out half cook imitations of their glory days*.
This is what I think when I see this car. It’s not a car for 2008.
PS - I don’t drive a Hyundai or a Camry (I wish) but for the money this crap fest will go for I’ll probably be able to afford a nicer car that doesn’t look like it was designed around the time I was born.
Well, Hector, I see your point; however, it’s not that Dodge couldn’t do something modern or even post modern but that they realize a market for the original style. The car from the early 70’s is the most sought after muscle car, selling today for more than many new exotics. It’s just too bad it wasn’t realized earlier and released with the retro mustang. It’s also too bad it doesn’t get better gas mileage for environmental and geopolitical reasons. Nevertheless, I think this car will be a success for Dodge and its parent company, providing gas prices stay below $4/gal. Compared to the mustang, though, the price does seem a little steep.
Aston Martin actually DOES base a great deal of it’s styling around the old Bond cars from the 60’s. And that’s a good thing.
No, the Audi R8 is way too modern for a later retro model, but if Ferrari came out with a classic looking roadster I bet it would sell like nothing else. Or just imagine if Jaguar made a modern E-type, or if Benz made a modern SL (like the one from the 60’s).
There’s nothing wrong with reliving glory days of a car marque, as long as they were glorious and the public wants to see and drive them, which is clearly the case with the Mustang…
Some people enjoy the throwback look, while others shun it. I personally love the look of the Challenger. I’ve think Dodge has done a great job designing, promoting, and revealing their popular muscle car. All the pictures I’ve seen of the SRT from the Chicago show look gorgeous. I would love to see this car in person.
Im interested yet not….id prefer a camaro even though they are one and the same. The problem for me is that if they decided to sell this exact car here in Australia i would be looking at around AU$80,000 - AU$90,000 price tag. Even though the conversion of the US$35,000 price tag is no more than AU$42,000. And seriously that is not the kid of money i want to fork out for a nice shaped car with a fun engine and a crap interior, especially as petrol is fast approaching AU$1.50 a litre.
Hector I understand your point .. but gosh I love this car!
Granted, as long as they do it right, I think that the retro theme cars are great projects. When this comes out, I will for sure be going to visit my friend at the dealership here in town. My only fear is that in a rush to jump on the retro-bandwagon thee will be another mistake like the recent GTO. In my opinion, that was a disaster. Of course it flies with an LS1 under the hood, but the body was a waste of that great badge. They should have went with something more along the lines of the 66/67 body there.
So as long as it is tastefully done and period correct yet modern, I say go for it.
Hector is a bitch…This car is sick…
its not exactly the same as the 70s model. The car is great for a younger person who loves the style of the old muscle cars but doesnt want a 30 something year old car. Or anyone for that matter…So Hector heres what i want you to do, Take your contemporary POS nd shove it up ur ass…