Jalopnik
What better way to kick off the sales of your new muscle car, the last relevant piece of new product you're going to introduce for a while, than to invite a couple of guys who are best known for selling motorcycles. Paul, Sr. and Paul, Jr. of American Chopper fame were on hand to show off the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. And what did we learn that you may not have learned from any of the sixteen or seventeen Challenger posts that already ran today? Dodge was smart enough to low-ball the 0-60 mph in the initial press release, as the actual car gets a more respectable 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph and a quarter-mile in the 13's. There is also video of it jumping, as seen in this image of questionable authenticity, but it only goes about 8 inches off the ground. Press release below the jump — in case you missed it the last time.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8Overview
All-New 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8®
♣ Iconic Dodge muscle car returns after a 35-year absence
♣ Design stays true to Challenger heritage while delivering a host of modern amenities and "race inspired, street legal" SRT DNA
♣ Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque
♣ Each 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features limited-edition, numbered dash plaque
The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger brings what pony car fanatics crave: ground shaking performance, unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger, world-class ride and handling characteristics and benchmark braking. On top of that it features a wide variety of modern amenities and technology designed to delight a new generation of driving enthusiasts.
"The all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is engineered to give customers everything they want in a modern muscle machine," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. "The new version of Dodge's American classic boasts tire-smoking performance and head-turning design while offering a wide array of state-of-the-art technology, such as GPS navigation, 'Keyless Go' entry, a MyGIG™ infotainment system and UConnect hands-free communication."
Developed by Chrysler's in-house performance engineering organization, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 was engineered with a focus on the five pillars of every SRT vehicle: bold exterior design that resonates with the brand image, a race-inspired interior, world-class ride and handling across a dynamic range, a standout powertrain and benchmark braking.
Dodge will offer the limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 in three colors: HEMI® Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. Each two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe will be produced with a numbered dash plaque, carbon fiberlike hood stripes and will be powered by SRT's 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque.With a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,995 (including $675 destination), the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 arrives in Dodge showrooms this spring.
The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 vehicles will be manufactured at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant.
Performance targets for the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 include a 0-60 mph time in the low 5-second range, 0-100-0 mph in less than 17 seconds, a ¼-mile elapsed time of less than 14 seconds, 60-0 mph braking distance of approximately 100 feet, and a skid pad performance of 0.88 g.
Comments
I would have thought any one of the cast members of Celebrity Rehab would have been better choices... I mean, shit, Jeff Conaway was in the movie Grease.
Every time I see "SRT8" I sort of see "STR8" and think it's some sort of subliminal chest-thumping homophobia. Which isn't far from Dodge's normal marketing.
/still on cold meds
By the time anyone gets their hands on one it will be too expensive to drive.
OH SNAP! Pictures of the Challenger! REVEALED! I was wondering what this thing looked like. And now I know.
Ok, enough with the Challenger already..... It's here, it's Orange, It has a Charger Interior, You can get a HEMI. Is there any other cars at this show?
WHAT!!! The Teutuls show up without the OCC Challeger Motorcycle. What frickin' blasphemy.
Put a Rebel flag on the roof and it'll jump much higher.
@estern: It will be cheaper than a Corvette with a similar price-to-performance ratio. It will be slightly more practical since it has a rear seat and larger trunk. Since it will be available in a price range like the 300, I expect to see a bunch of them in the suburban house-farms.
She may be a bit of a porker, but I'd still throw it in her.
@POLAR: That's no way to talk about Paul Jr.
Damn! Those Mirrors like they were ripped from a Malaise Era Buick LeSabre and painted orange.
@cgarison:
cgarison, the mirrors were taken directly from the shape of the 1970 Challenger mirrors, and then they were given an aerodynamic treatment.
@POLAR: Does your wife know you're lusting after a plump new fast girl?
Is a muscle car still a muscle car without a stick? Not ! wake up Chrysler. Advantage Camaro unless the piss me off too !
ops i mean they ! see im too mad to speel lol
It appears to be plugged in. Ohmygod it's a limp-wristed hybrid! No, needing to feed the lights does not explain this.
They must prove to me that this behemoth guzzles gas or there's no way I'm paying $150,000 for it in 30 years at Barrett-Jackson.
@Novaload: My wife would probably tag in from time to time!
How the fuck is that a charger interior? The only thing they share between the two is the seats, steering wheels, and radio/sat navs.
Can anyone at the show get a good look at the interior and see if its really that borring in person and if its made out of old Play-school toys?
@Skydiver: The corvette is moderately faster, and after dealer markups on the Challenger... probably cheaper too.
2008 'vette:
0-60: 4.3sec
top speed: 190mph
1/4 mile: 12.5 !!!!11!!
12.5 is damn quick no matter what anyone says... Challenger might put out mid-high 13's... I beileve my inline six with half the liters can come pretty close to that.
@jaydez: It's a good homage to the original E body interiors. Hoever, they were super boring except for the instruments and the pistol grip, so maybe that wasn't the best thing to pay homage to. Hopefully the seats aren't like the originals and they'll have put more than a plastic panel over the doors so they don't clang and rattle like the old ones did.
Well, on the plus side, the fact that it already weighs over 4k means that the extra 2-300lbs from my planned/dreamed Cummins V8 diesel swap will be barely noticeable...
@reefer: That's assuming someone would even want to be seen in a base Corvette rather than this man machine.
Matt!! Can you take a pic of the black one and post it? Heard it looks better than the 'Ernge one.
@parramore46:
Man Machine?! You mean GAY MAN machine. Automatic Tranny. GMAB.
@FreeMan: Will I have to jump through the windows?
@jaydez: The relentless gray plastic interior is wretched, but the Evo and STI also got away with spartan treatment. There's no excuse for a steering wheel that big though...what, did they nix the hydraulics?
i think that ought to have put the steering wheel off the routan on this. how hard could it have been being long-distance cousins and all? that alone would improve the interior drastically.
I think i'm the only person here that wouldn't mind that interior...
Of course, the newest car that i own is a 1993, and i wouldn't mind the update to say.... 1995.
Ohshi- what year is it now?
There will be a lot of kids with STI's out looking for these things. A lot of old men being emasculated in front of their wives and kids.
how hard could it have been to put on the steering wheel from the routan? they are distant cousins, or even closer. that alone whould have improved the interior drastically.
Check out the Dodge website for a cool video and a bunch of other info and pics:
[www.dodge.com]
The left pipe works.. the right one is where you tap off the moonshine.
@wyatt_1st: So wait for the '09's the 6-speed is an option for '09.
@reefer:I seriously doubt the markup is going to be an issue for those who are patient. Dodge is going to build something like 10000 of them this year. I'll bet you will be able to get an '09 under invoice if your willing to put in the effort. Oh and the Challenger is going to be in the low 13's in the quarter and sub 5 seconds to sixty.
@teargas: The STI's will give it a good run but they will consistently get beat.
Bravo Chrysler...no manual even for this? At least the body style and crap interior hold true to the original.
@GSPALDIN: Should've waited for you.
@wyatt_1st: Manual trans will be out by fall. I'll have a six-speed 6.1 Challenger in my garage months before GM has Camaros at dealerships.
They will start producing this car with a manual transmission this summer.
They are building 2008 SRT8s from now until summer then they will start slapping together 2009 SRT8s, R/Ts, and V6 bases. Here's the breakdown from allpar.
Dodge Challenger Drivetrains
(2009-up)
3.5L HO V6 (250HP)
4-speed auto
42RLE VLP 3.64 N N
17x7.0
Optional
18x7.5
P215/65R17
Optional
P235/55R18 ASP
P225/60R18
R/T
(2009-up) 5.7L V8 VCT (380HP)
(with MDS) 5-speed* auto 2.82 N N
(without MDS) 6-speed** manual 3.73 LS Y Y
18x7.5
Optional
20x8
P235/55R18 ASP
Optional
P245/45R20 ASP
SRT8
(2008-up) 6.1L V8 (425HP)
5-speed auto 3.06 LS N N
6-speed** manual 3.92 LS Y Y
20x9 P245/45ZR20 ASP
Optional
245/45ZR20
255/45ZR20
LS = Limited Slip. Trak Pak = marketing name for the transmission, shifter, and gearing. VCT = Variable Cam Timing
* W5A580 with AutoStick ** TREMEC six-speed manual
You are not TriShield.
Or are you :eek3:
It looks like a big ol' boat from the seventies.
Oh. Um, never mind.
This car is cool and all, but in time will it just be one of a zillion, like the current Mustang? Or worse yet, an aberration like the SSR?
(I don't follow 'mercian cars much, so apologies if the quantities have been splashed about these pages already.)
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