Posted on Tuesday 25 March 2008
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.
That seems odd, my new Mustang GT V8 gets about 17-18mpg around town and 24-25 on the freeway at 72mph.
I don’t know what the V6 gets regularly but you’d think it would be something like 20 and 28 repectively?
These are heavy cars, however.
My guess is most V6 customers will be women and kids getting one from mom and dad, and the vast majority of guys will buy the 5.7 V8.
I’ve driven the V6 Mustang, and it’s pretty tame. The whole point of a car like this is that huge torque surge, isn’t it?
Yeah but the V8 isn’t that economical. That’s why V6 sales will rise.
I doubt it, people who buy this car aren’t looking for an economy car.
A Punny 4 speed tranny in a 2009 Automobile is laughable!! A 5 or 6 speed would increase fuel economy in addition make the more drivable!! Wake up Chrysler AG, call Borg & Warner and make a deal..$150 more per tranny wont break the bank!!
the sales of the V6 will allow the V8 to be continued to be made as well as the sp ed versions…without the money in the till from the vanilla version V6 this wouldnt be possible !
Diesel for Challenger! I want to drive challenger everyday, that’s why the answer is Diesel…. And still V6 ain’t the curer.