Jalopnik
While Dodge won't even return our phone calls (something to do with this as well as insinuating Bob "The Builder" Nardelli tried to change the name of Home Depot to Home Despot), our friends at the magazine that finds being Popular just as important as being Mechanics did get a chance to drive the Ram-headed brand's new muscular pony car — the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The gist of what they had to say, below the jump:
"This Hemi is most definitely not shy or watered down. But what surprised us the most about the Challenger SRT8 was its civility. Power is abundant, but never to the point that we couldn't rein her in. Our two-hour highway drive home from Willow Springs was quiet and smooth—characteristics more akin to a grand touring car than a muscle car. The only things we miss are a more vocal exhaust note and a manual gearbox, the latter of which will be available in the fall of 2009. "So the Hemi's neither shy or watered down. Seems to us like it fits in quite well with that whole "delightfully tacky, yet unrefined" Hooters-like mentality of folks looking to buy this new pony express from Dodge. But most importantly for the Mechanics-inclined Popular party stars was their bottom line:
"After flogging the 2008 SRT8 on the track and driving home in insulated comfort, we can safely say that the Challenger ain't what it used to be—it's a whole lot better."So it may not have the horsepower of the GT500KR, but apparently what it's lacking in get-up-and-go, it more than makes up for with beefcake and a buff bod. Perfect for Woodward Avenue cruising if you ask us. [via Popular Mechanics]
Comments
Why offer only a slushbox at release?
My pants just got tight.
This is definitely winning the muscle car fantasy battle raging inside my empty skull. It looks hawt in that silver and simply thrashes the pantaloons off the Camaro.
@Adamskiy:
The world may never know... Same goes for the 300, Charger, Magnum and Grand Cherokee.
@Number_Six: There's really only one way to solve this: breakdance-off.
No, wait, that's not right. Burnout competition? Most tires destroyed in the time it takes to get through Van Halen's self-titled album wins.
That being said, if this car is as effective as its predecessor on existential roadtrips, without suicide being the only solution, I'm interested.
@Adamskiy: Because most people buying these care less about real performance than they do about a Disneylandified version of the muscle cars they never got to have in high school.
(Because let's face it: if you were super-cool in high school in 1970, you probably didn't go on to make $40k car money).
I love muscle cars, but only when they're unsophisticated and cheap.
(insert joke about my taste in women if you will)
@Mad_Science:
Well, unsophisticated and cheap women require less maintenance. Preach on brother.
I like the looks and all except for the painted grey wheels. Who do they think their market is in not offering an SRT8 without chrome carbon fiber rims with a chrome option?
From what I've seen the stereo and rest is up to par, but grey painted rims is an abomination and waste of money from the factory.
@Hello_Newman: Yeah, the rims are boring. the thing looks like it ought to have chrome Cragars, or sand cast Torque Flights. Something that looks Sixties Retro, to match the rest of the package.
@Maymar: Well, I guess if you can afford this, you probably would be able to afford decent health coverage for your woman. It would be problems with your HMO that would drive you towards an abrupt at end at the wheel of your new Challenger.
I can just picture their disappointed faces when the PM staffers discoverd that the challenger couldn't reall fly...
or double as a boat...
or run on dryer lint.
=(
Challenger = excellent retro styling effort
Camaro = Another GM fail
@PAPAL POLAЯ: reall + y = really
The true test is what happens when the novelty wears off and there's dozens of six-bangers prowling around... along side all those retro 'stangs you see everywhere now.
@CptSevere: I agree but along the same lines, I would like to see more tire and less rim. I guess in time we will see all the variants as people customize them.
@Adamskiy: They sold out the entire MY2008 production run in a few days without having to pay the million bucks or so to get federal certification of the manual trans driveline for such a short model year. I'm not seeing where that's a problem, from their perspective.
@WilliamG.:
As much as I love the idea of these cars, I don't really see the general public flocking to these. 2 door cars are vanishing faster than (insert your own Vanishing Point reference here). When BMW can offer the X6 and throw the words sports and coupe together in reference to that vehicle I have my doubts. When Acura can discontinue the RSX and throw a turbo in it's replacement, the RDX my skepticism grows. I know those cars are aimed at a different demographic but I also know that the 2-door market in general is dissapearing. I hop e for my sake I am wrong so I can cop a used Challenger that hasn't been destroyed by the driver or the aftermarket in 4 years
@M0L0TOV:
I think it was the famous WRC driver, B. Lightin' Franklin, when asked about unsophisticated and cheap women, replied that they "...neither smell, swell, nor tell and are eternally grateful."
@macecalrissian: If they are anything like the original ZR-1 you'll be able to pick one up cheap from some speculator-wannabe when the market dries up and blows away.
Not that I'm saying niche vehicles are a bad thing, just wake me up when they get down around 10 G's. There may be a long fall between the dealership and the driveway.
Man, I wish I had some serious disposable income so that I could justify one of these monsters!
@Adamskiy: I've always figured the reason for staggered releases is to increase the total demand for the model.
Sell slushboxes at first to satisfy appearance-hounds that don't care about the transmission. After the initial "I don't care what tranmission it has Gimme-Gimme-Gimme" demand is satisfied, then sell the manual version later on because purists will be willing to wait.
The same thing happens with features like uprated motors, all wheel drive and drop tops options. Sell the more basic model first while demand is most plentiful, then start serving the smaller segments of the market as the big initial demand pulse gets fulfilled with the vanilla-mobiles.
Just a theory, and I'm sure an economist would likely have more purpose specific words to describe this idea.
Dang! This post's lead-photo would seem to indicate that Chrysler's PR folks, stung by Jalopnik's earlier thrashing, decided to pop for the FULL version of Photoshop.
@comedian: The delay in some of that stuff may have more to do with expediting getting the line up and product out and then adding bells and whistles.
It has the same effect as you describe but may be related to efficiency of scale as opposed to desires of customers.
Looks like a camaro.
I don't mind the bland wheels. They could be blander, actually. It would look really sweet with some black steelies, with polished rings and dog dishes.
As for the auto-only. While it (along with being out of my price range) will keep me from buying one, it does make sense from Chrysler's side. Special orders are expensive to process. Commonizing the vehicles (especially for a first run) is good for cost, assembly efficiency, and quality control. That said, if you're only going to offer 1 transmission, the slushbox is the only way to go (from a corporate, not enthusiast perspective). You can sell a slushbox to probably half of the people who would prefer a manual, but you can't sell a manual to anyone who won't (or can't) drive stick. The number of people who can't drive a standard/are willing to settle for an automatic is far greater than the number of manual transmission purists.
@mytdawg: I saw a lightly used magnum SRT-8 in the trader the other day.. $18K or so.
My wife wants a wagon. She likes the mangums, and the turbo volvos (yes my wife rocks) and asked, whats so special about the srt-8. I mentioned 425hp and 420lb-ft or torque and she immediately started looking at financing options.
The future is looking bright for us poor hoons.. despite the price of gas.
Re: manual trans option, I think the delay has to do with federalizing the car for emissions. I believe the manny tranny car has to go thru the whole litany of tests and approvals for EPA certification, whereas the slushbox version already has the certification in hand via the SRT8 Charger/300C variant. Besides, the sell thru rate of manz tranz cars is going to be low, anyway so might as well delay the offering a year or so. The few people that want them will wait.
Anyway, I saw this car at the auto show along with the Camaro convertible and all the Mustang versions and I gotta say, the Challenger is really good looking in person. Seats and most of the interior are lifted from the SRT8 Charger. I'd like to see it in other colors than orange and they didn't show the V6 SE version, which I'm sure will be popular. May not be Mustang popular but I think we'll see plenty of these on the road in a couple years.
I sent in a link to the burnout video to jalops like 3 weeks ago. It's like warm honey!
+ Watch video
The only problem is, when that 4-door G8 keeps up with you from the light and then goes around Ya at 110mph, how is THAT gonna look???
@racebeer: Better than the G8 bland styling?
@racebeer: I'll look like someone who doesn't give a shit about street racing because it's stupid and dangerous and I'll continue on my way, enjoying the car I wanted to buy.
@Uncle_Bo is El Commentamino: I'm definitely looking forward to seeing them cruising around. Just checked the weight though, and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed.
@racebeer: That's gonna look pretty dumb when the G8 passes the radar car sitting conveniently in the Bojangles parking lot.
@DustyButt: Not nearly aggressive sounding as I'd have expected - seriously, the Neon SRT4 sounds better. Oddly silent considering its got the big V8 and the tires are spinning. Since they're going retro, I'd have expected a nice, big-cam burble, not a quiet hum.
It does, however, turn tires into smoke quite expertly.
I think this thing is going to hit the streets right about the same time gas reaches $4.50 a gallon average. The Camaro will meet up with $6.00/gallon. I think this will impact sales/profitability in this category and hence I predict a very short life span for this generation of pony car wars.
BTW; do you have any additional pictures of this car in orange? If so, I would be interested in seeing them.
@WheatKing: You sound like a lucky guy. Don't let her read Consumers Reports. I can't imagine they have much nice to say about the Magnum (but I could be wrong). At least when I like something they don't. I usually do the opposite of what they recommend and it's worked for me.
@Parramore46: RE: the weight. Agreed. Seems to be 1000 (or more) pounds too heavy. Even if they could've kept it to 3500 or so, I could be happy with it. But over 2 tons of Challenger? Somethin' ain't right.
This car gets a lot of things right, and I for one am glad it exists, slushbox or not.
I don't understand the fickle nature of these car companies when it comes to test drive invites.
Didn't Ray drive the new Camaro mule a while back? Isn't this site one of the leading automotive blogs (and perhaps the funniest?)?
Puzzled.
so embargo was broken by a day it seems.
@Al Navarro: Well, it's definitely the funniest...looking
@ graverobber- Same...
How many different ways could a hybrid muscle car be wrong?
I can think of at least two...
Civility? Easy to rein in? Only a slushbox? Mellow exhaust note? I just keep getting less and less interested in this car.
@JeepyJayhawk: Actually, I'd consider a CNG-fueled version. The two major issues would be the trunk-space eaten up bay the tank, and the need to make the engine larger, or add forced induction in order to compensate for the lower BTU content of CNG. I think both issues could be overcome, and offering a CNG option would expand the market for what is admittedly a very niche product.
@graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!: BTW; I'm fighting a cold, so my grammar and typos-typically pretty bad- will be worse for the next day or so. Just so everybody doesn't think I'm just a tard.
"The only things we miss are a more vocal exhaust note and a manual gearbox"
Why doesn't anyone (except SCC) acknowledge the existance of the aftermarket in new car reviews? I understand swapping in a manual transmission isn't an option most people would consider, but why can't they say 'get some flowmasters because it sounds like a dog sneezing.'
@BlackIce_GTS: +2 Exhaust is almost an automatic upgrade on any new purchase...