Jalopnik: new dodge challenger

2009 Challenger Brochure Hits Web, Gives Us A 70s Flashback

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:20:00 EDT

The brochure for the new 2009 Dodge Challenger has hit the automotive webosphere and Mopar-mad fan-boys are drooling over an item we think will be an instant classic. The car? At this point, unknown. But the brochure will totally hit the "Found on EBay" pages shortly. That's because Dodge has created a gorgeous piece of showroom lit — with the fonts, photography, and graphic touches that channel the 70's Challenger. But as always, it's what's inside that counts. And inside the brochure is shot after shot of the new pony car from Dodge in all sorts of variations — each more amazingly retrosexual than the last. There's the R/T Classic Package Challenger, complete with old-school Challenger badging and a set of strobe-style side stripes. But it's the the new "Track Pak" for the quarter-mile fans that gets us going this morning — featuring a made-for-the-drag-strip package complete with 3.91 rear gear, a set of 20s, and the all-important 6-speed manual gearbox. Hot dogs, apple pie and Hemis, baby! Complete gallery below.

[mnhotrod @ Flickr via Autoblog]

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Reviewed

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EDT

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]

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Revealed, Now With Real, Live Video!

Mark Arnold — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:39:39 EST

Here it is! ...again. The 2008 Dodge Challenger. But this time we have video! And mustaches! Hoo, mamma!

We'd have to label all this Challenger material we've been posting, Posting! POSTING!!! of late some kind of steady build to this cargasmic moment. Obviously, with previous coverage, you've been forced to ponder, perhaps question some of the performance data, skeptically consider the Challenger's true aerial capabilities, and of course study many, many still pictures.

But now you can just kick back and watch as we inaugurate the Challenger Channel.