Jalopnik: 2008 challenger

Leaving On A Jet Plane...

Ray Wert — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:04:41 EDT

Yes, just as we thought we might do in part two of our review of the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, we had to stifle a tear when we left it this morning as this car's left an indelible mark in our mind. The only cars we think that could come close to the feelings evoked by this Motown muscle car would be the next-gen 2010 Ford Mustang and the 2010 Chevy Camaro — both ready to arrive in the next year. We can't wait.

For the moment, take another gander at our three-part review below:
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part One
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part Two
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part Three

Dealers, Supercharge Your Dodge Challengers!

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:20:00 EDT

At this years SEMA show, Dodge will be unveiling a new supercharger kit for the 2008 Dodge Challenger, providing the potential to significantly boost output from the stock 425 HP (in SRT8 trim). The dealer-installed option will be sold through the Mopar brand, and if the co-developed kits from Speedfactory are any indication, it'll consist of a Vortec blower with a cold air intake good for a whopping 630 HP. Hey, that's right up there with the Corvette ZR1's numbers.

Okay, so the Challenger will still fall behind thanks to its rather portly 4,140 lb curb weight, but that'll be one hell of a ride. Oh, and don't get yourselves in a tizzy over that Plum Crazy Purple Challenger; we did that one ourselves, Chrysler style. [MotorAuthority]

Challenger SRT8-Driving "Blonde Bombshell" Revealed As G4TV's Alison Haislip

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Remember when we saw that black Dodge Challenger SRT8 making some runs at Irwindale Speedway? Remember the unknown "blonde bombshell" at the wheel last week? Well, it's confirmed — she is a bombshell, and now she's no longer "unknown." Turns out it was Alison Haislip of G4TV doing a bit of test dragging with Chrsylerberus' new Mopar muscle car. Here we get to see her take a stab at a Shelby Mustang that almost loses it into the wall while losing to a girl — well, at least that's what it looks like from the editing. We're just stuck wondering how a bunch of tech nerds got their hands on one of these before us. Hey Dodge, are you listening? [G4TV]

Dodge Challenger Races Honda Civic SI At Drag Strip

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:40:00 EDT

Loyal reader Jack found himself at Irwindale Raceway in SoCal yesterday for the run-what-ya-brung night and lookie what was there, a brand new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8. Here we catch a glimpse of the lady driver givin' it to a Honda Civic SI in an 1/8th mile run which sees the new Mopar take it easy all the way to a winning finish. At least that's what we hope we're seeing. If a Challenger doesn't obliterate an SI at the strip something is very wrong. We're still wondering who the blonde bombshell behind the wheel was. Anyone out there know? Also, does the Challenger pictured here have the legendary drag package we've heard about for almost a year now?

[Youtube via Jack]

Chrysler Recreates Vanishing Point Challenger For One Lap Of America, Cleavon Little Says "Yaahhhh!"

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Do we like the film Vanishing Point? Maybe a little too much as we've posted the Vanishing Point finale, intro and assorted clips in between. So despite our best efforts to ignore the much-hyped 08 Challenger SRT8, we're going to budge a little because this particular story captures a little of that Jalopnik spirit. As an homage, Chrysler's Ralph Gilles and Erich Heuschele are going to be participating in One Lap of America in a white Dodge Challenger SRT8, with Giles as a fairly convincing Super Soul and Heuschele as a poor man's Kowalski. And this isn't any run-of-the-mill Challenger, it is the first street-worthy Challenger SRT8, the one that Hueschele points out "was the first car on Jalopnik," which of course makes it a piece of history. [Source: Chrysler]

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Official Interior Photos Sneak Into Exclusive Club Called The Internet

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:30:00 EST

A reader at the Allpar forums has gotten his hands on three interior shots of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 that look to be official. We're supposed to see the new Challenger later this week, so this is a bit of an embargo break. From what we can see it looks to be a mixture of modern needs, automatic transmissions and a gigantic muscle car steering wheel we've been expecting. Oh, and seats with SRT8 logos! Look for many more official photos at the official release date sometime this week.

[Allpar]

2008 Dodge Challengers Hanging Out At Roush With All The Cool Kids

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:15:00 EST

A reader over at CarScoop managed to catch a pair of production-looking 2008 Dodge Challenger muscle cars hanging out at Roush, tuner of most things Ford. There are a couple of interesting things going on here. First, there don't appear to be any racing stripes, which could lead you to think these aren't SRT8's, though we think they are. Second, they're hanging out in front of Roush.

Is this a couple of engineers with Challengers paying a visit to mock Roush and their Mustang entrant into the Muscle Car Wars? Is Roush going to be tuning the next generation of Challengers? Did the drivers stop to take a leak? We don't know, but we're happy to speculate. Nope, unfortunately not. You see, this is Roush Industries, not Roush Performance. That's like an entirely different company and stuff. (UPDATE: The company pictures is not Roush Performance, but Roush Industries. Both are part of the same company, but the former tunes Stangs while the latter is a parts supplier)[Oot via CarScoop]

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Now With A Real Rear End

Wes Siler — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:00:00 EST

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.

First 2009 Dodge Challenger Interior Photo

Ray Wert — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:30:00 EST

Yup, more evidence that the Muscle Car Wars are on! After we showed you that single shot of the new 2010 Ford Mustang interior and after we ran the two covers Car & Driver saw slip out way too early, we happened upon the above shot of the interior for the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T on a few of the forums all about the new muscle car from the Ram-headed brand. So what do we see? (It first showed up on ChallengerTalk.) Well — we see a lot of standard instrument panels, radio units and HVAC controls. But check out that silver plastic around the instrument cluster. Most importantly, check out that leather-and-chrome wrapped shifter. Now that we like. Click the jump to see a larger shot and remember, we'll be bringing you coverage of the official reveal live in just two weeks at the Chicago Auto Show. [ChallengerTalk]