Thanks to the kind folks over at Autoweek — and via the folks at the Line on the Inside over at Edmunds — we can now add an official press shot of the 2008 Dodge Challenger to our growing collection from the broken embargo. The main difference between concept and reality is the loss of the LED rear lights. The tips on the twin exhausts also become single rectangles, there's some added detail in the bumper, the reverse lights are a nifty single, central unit and the rear spoiler is all black. You can compare and contrast the changes in the galleries below. Don't forget, we'll be bringing you live coverage from the Challenger's official unveiling from the Chicago Auto Show next week.














Comments
Butt ugly. Any baboon male will follow you. To red, to wide, to bright. It is a little to much in my opinion. I like the design overall except the rear. It is a nice chick with cellulites.
I actually like the production car better than the concept. Good stuff.
Drool...
@JanTheMan: "To red, to wide, to bright."
I take it you drive a Camry(or like).
I kind of dig it but despise the return of the Tupperware spoiler.
I can probably forgive the ass, but the hellacious cockpit is inscrutable.
[right click, set as desktop background]
@Buckster: I like it but not the rear, best of the retro yanks so far. Sorry! btw proud Alfa Romeo owner
@JanTheMan: spelling issues aside, have you seen the original? Pray tell how else one would execute the tail
What happened to the fuel cap in the bottom pictures?
@smokeydog001: The concept had it on the right-side for some odd reason.
Reminds me of the rear end of an NSX. Not that this is a bad thing, but maybe not what they were after.
Looks better than previous photos. I like it alright.
@superbmtsub: @smokeydog001: I don't see it either.
@number_six: I love the little ducktail.
@SUPERBMTSUB - That 'odd reason' was probably because the original Challenger had it on the right side.
However, LX vehicles (which this car is based on) have the filler on the drivers side, so for production it was probably moved there.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Now With A Real Rear End Yeah a real ugly rear end
Challenger. You have to force yourself not to like it.
It's amazing how much free hype Dodge got from Automotive blogs who pulblished "spy photos" of this car.
@abgwin: No I haven't, have you....spelling...meh!
The last generation 240SX coupe called, it wants its rear end back.
I don't hate the rear, but I don't love it. I am not a fan of having the license plate in the bumper, especially with the ass ends of cars becoming so tall. Without the character lines coming off the license plate pocket, the rear bumper would look like a huge blank expanse.
S14 silvia?
I personally like it. I think it could be better without the spoiler though.
That looks like Utah's highway 12. Quite possibly one of my favorite roads in the world. So scenic, and lots of nice twisty bits.
The car ain't too bad either.
Why square exhaust? WHY?
Because the original had a square exhaust too.
Now remove that silly spoiler and paint it white.
Looks like a SVX from the butt.
@ PONTIAC
Most I've seen replaced the exhaust system and had pipes resembling small cannon barrels.
@JanTheMan: "to wide" ? If anything it's too tall.
I could go with or without (mostly without) the little rubber spoiler, but I realize they are trying to set the hot rod version of this apart from the base.
Overall, I grade it A-. In a world filled with cars with ugly rear ends, this ain't one of 'em.
@crevans: and I was just going to say it looks like the road through Valley of Fire, the state park about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. But the car is nice too!
Love it
@Mike the Dog: NM. Looks like the concept ran on solar energy. The gasoline tank was included to lower costs apparently for the production model. :P
I'd hit it.
When I read "real rear end," I was kinda hoping you meant IRS.
The tail lights are a perfect modern interpretation of the originals. I say very well done. Love the chromed fuel filler cap too. Other than that black blob on the roof, I have no complaints.
@Turboner: I thought all LX (and LY) cars had a Mercedes-evolved 5 bar multilink IRS?
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