Following Hurst's previous packages, the Challenger Series one through five, the newest Competition Plus package promises to offer muscle car meat heads with everything they'll need to take their SRT8 one step further. Included in the $18,495 package is first and foremost, a Hurst shift kit and pearl white knob, a plaque of authenticity, K&N high-flow air filter, Magnaflow stainless-steel exhaust and a fully adjustable Eibach suspension system. Unfortunately, performance numbers have yet to be released, but we're hoping for the 572 HP and 528 lb-ft of torque from the Hurst/HEMI-Challenger SRT8 Series 4. That'd be just fine by us.

The Challenger Competition Plus package will be offered in either red, white, blue or silver and matte black Hurst Performance decals to complement the massive hood scoop, forged aluminum wheels, rear deck spoiler and chromed quad exhaust tips. We're betting on a mid-summer release, but as of yet, there's no official date from Hurst.

[Hurst Performance]

Everything has been blurred out to protect the identities of those involved, but our tipster tells us this is what happened:

"attached are pictures taken at my place of work where a customer dropped off their 2009 Challenger SRT 8 that was "attacked" by a gentlemans soon-to-be-ex wife.

I say this because the Husband drove this car to tell his wife that the marriage is over.

And once she became aware of his Asian girlfriend and his new toy, she flipped and started smashing the car up [with a carpenter's hammer].

She broke the windshield, rear window, damaged almost every body panel, and probably worse of all the sunroof which takes quite some labor to replace. i didn't bother to take pics of the side windows and the scratches where the psycho WIfe tried to break them."

It stinks the Challenger got the brunt of the rage, but considering the way the news was delivered, we can't say we blame her. Walk through the dented Challenger gallery to see the pain inflicted upon a defenseless Challenger.

According to the Associated Press, the Illinois State Police have seized over two dozen Audis, Cadillacs and other vehicles and turned them over to the police. Even better, taxpayers in Illinois are footing the gas bill for the behemoth. Thankfully, no one ever tried to seize one of our press cars from us when we lived in Chicago.

But, if there's one thing this goes to show you it's that Illinois is readying itself to replace Florida as the state in the Union you're able to have the most fun in on your way to a corruption and abuse of power indictment. [The Newspaper via TTAC]

Yes, I know this will make many of you here hate me, but I must say it — I have never been a fan of the station wagon. Yes, I do see the point — you can fit loads of kids, dogs or elephant guns in the back but then I’ve never thought of the car as a thing to transport kids, dogs or elephant guns. You need a sedan to be grownup cool or a coupé to be rock and roll cool, and that’s about it.

Except that station wagons are now called estates or avants or sportbacks and in recent years, I have come across a few which have rather struck my fancy. The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Sportwagon, for instance. The Dodge Magnum. In SRT8 trim, of course.

I know people who love estates like motor oil loves to get under fingernails. In fact, two of my friends are planning on converting a Volkswagen Phaeton into one. Google Translate will help you right along with their project briefing—in Hungarian—a quick auto-translated snippet of which reads:

And when they physically exist, the preparation will be tangible things considered, we are bound to a common central images of creative images, crept kombikészítéshez.

Imagine my shock now when, certainly not a man of creative images, crept kombikészítéshez, we arrived at the Villa d’Este last week and the first thing I saw after a BMW 750i dropped us off was a Maserati Quattroporte. A Quattroporte estate, that is.

Flabbergasted I stood, mostly as a result of the intense craving I felt at its lovely butch lines. Although I still consider the Lamborghini Espada the perfect family car, the youngest of them will be approaching thirty-five by the time I acquire one—and kids to carry in it. And thirty-five-year-old handbuilt Italian cars are not as much vehicles for transportation but more vehicles that make for very stylish and very static object by the side of the road as you stand puzzled over their V12’s spewing oil. I am, of course, not making this up:

So this is it then. The Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback Touring, to finally call it by its ornate full name, with a beckoning slope to its roof. Built by Carrozzeria Touring—the people who invented superleggera in the 30s—, it was first shown at last year’s edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza, an event to which it has now returned unannounced, parked by a gift shop that sells swooningly expensive silk scarves.

A car that has a Ferrari engine up front, acres of leather in the middle, and kids, dogs or elephant rifles in the back. All in a package that’s got the Quattroporte’s irresistable swagger—with a locomotive of a rear end.

Be alert not to carry kids, dogs and elephant guns at the same time though. That would be unwise.

If you are now itching to spend that money which was supposed to finance your kid’s higher education, may I refer you to a PDF at Carrozzeria Touring’s website, which reads in part as follows:

Those interested in buying a Bellagio Fastback Touring must address to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera or to Rossocorsa, the Milan Maserati dealer. After the delivery of a Maserati Quattroporte saloon (any version) the work starts and is realized together with the client, who’ll be involved in any choice: a unique and fascinating experience, almost impossible to imagine, in the era of mass production also for extreme cars.

There you have it. And one more thing: just as we were about to leave the Villa d’Este, I stumbled into the Bellagio once again, tucked into a corner in an underground parking lot. I tried to take a nice picture of it but this thing in red kept creeping into the frame.

My sincerest apologies.

Photos by the author expect the picture of the broken down Lamborghini Espada, which is by Balázs Fenyő.

If the rest of the world's like us, then HELL YEAH! We're entering into big-time rumor territory here, but there is a glimmer of hope for both Jeep and SRT fans alike. We've heard from a source deep within Chrysler that things have been humming along quietly in the SRT garage as engineers work hard to develop the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 as a 2012 model.

The biggest news we've received is the high-po Jeep will receive the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 with anywhere between 505-525 tire burning horsepower and roughly 510 ft-lbs of torque, all driven through a revised AWD system. The 392 HEMI has also been rumored to show up in other 2010 SRT8 models, but we're guessing it'll arrive first in the mid-cycle refresh for both the Challenger and Charger in 2011.

If the above sketches are anything to go by, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be a subtle beast with lowered, sportier suspension, beefy SRT 5-spoke wheels, larger diameter rotors with grippy multi-piston calipers, revised front and rear fascias, a functional cold air induction cowl hood and a larger spoiler out back. We like what we're seeing, but like GM's performance shop, we'll have to wait and see whether or not Chrysler can muster the cash to put out another answer to a question nobody really asked.

Despite a very, very long list of upgrades to this black SRT8, including a custom intake manifold, supercharger with intercooler, nitrous, 90 lb injectors, huge suspension upgrades, a roll cage, brakes and the list goes on, the transmission apparently didn't get enough love and blew the hell up when the truck was idling in a parking lot at the drag strip. When we say blew up we don't mean the valve body blew a seal or the torque converted burned up, we mean the transmission case blew up and sent bits of shrapnel into the cabin and left guts and fluids all over the tarmac. Aside from catastrophic failures on top fuel cars we've never seen a transmission on thoroughly grenaded — consider us duly impressed. Fear not though, as the owner is taking it in stride and already building a new version, this one sporting twin-turbos. [Modern Muscle Forums via Carscoop]

[via John Sibal blog]

The stock 6.1-liter 440 Hemi V8 in the Challenger STR8 is good for a stout 425 horsepower which, for most, is a healthy dose of adrenaline. Consider RDP’s 1000 horsepower twin-supercharged Challenger a healthy dose of adrenaline with some performance enhancing drugs thrown in for good measure. If it could help Barry Bonds, then it could surely help Dodge’s retro ride, right?

RDP Motorsport has installed a one-off Twin Bullet/RDP Harrop Supercharger system as well as a supplemental nitrous kit from Nitrous Express to produce a Bugatti Veyron challenging 1,000 HP. Extensive modifications were made to the car including a new rear end with a custom ½-inch shaft, quaife limited-slip differential and a 3,800rpm high stall converter to allow the beast to launch with more available torque. Throw in new Kooks headers and a custom-built RDP exhaust and you have one slick Dodge.

While we’re unsure what sort of numbers the dual-blown Challenger will run at the track, we’d be safe to bet it’s capable of running sub-ten second passes down the 1320. RDP’s extreme Challenger was unveiled recently at the PRI Show in sunny Florida to the praise of many and makes us drool at the thought of cruising down Woodward next year in one of these bad boys.

[via RDP Motorsport]

The Group 2 package includes the following all designed and developed by Classic Design Concepts:

-Composite front fenders & "Billboard" graphic flares with restyled wheel arches to accommodate the increased tire width
-10" wide front and 11.5" wide rear three piece wheels with 275 and 315 series Pirelli tires
-Front aerodynamic canards
-stainless wire mesh
-Aluminum hood
-Classic Design Concepts Cold air "shaker" system
-Sequential tail lights

Classic Design Concepts will be bringing 2 Challengers, a Black SRT8 with a Vortech supercharger good for 560hp, Pypes performance exhaust and 15" Baer Brakes with 6 piston calipers at all four corners and KW suspension. The White R/T includes a Procharger Supercharger, Pypes Performance exhaust, Baer 15" rotors and 6 piston calipers at all four corners with GfG forged three piece wheels and KW suspension, interior by Aleah Leather Specialists, paint protection by CGM detroit and Rockford Fosgate subwoofers and Amplifiers.

Classic Design Concepts will be in the north hall of SEMA, booth #11919 www.classicdesignconcepts.com

[Source: Classic Design Concepts]

Noticeable cuts include the new front spoiler, nasally shaker hood, a fresh rear fascia with pass-through dual exhaust and a set of LED tail lamps. We're shocked they didn't go all the way and weld up a custom widebody. Keep your browsers glued here for our continuing coverage of SEMA 2008. [Carscoop]

Under the skin, the '70 gets custom upper A-arms riding on relocated pickup points, aluminum tie rods, struts with Heim joints, two-inch-drop springs, front and rear way bars, Flowmaster exhaust and Stoptech brakes hiding behind Forgeline wheels riding on a set of Yokohamas. All of it can go back to stock, and we suspect it probably handles a helluva lot better than the wet noodle it started as, but some things should just go undone. Must parts makers always bring the gaudy heat to SEMA? Oh wait, it's SEMA. Press release follows.

NEW MOPAR TRACK BURNERS & SUSPENSION SYSTEMS TO DEBUT AT 2008 HOTCHKIS SEMA BOOTH

Complete High-Performance Handling Systems Now Available for Classic and Modern Dodge Challengers and Other Mopar Muscle Cars

Santa Fe Springs, CA – Hotchkis Performance is set to unveil several new bolt-on Chrysler suspension systems at the upcoming 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Handling expert John Hotchkis and his team of engineers will showcase a full array of Chrysler performance mods on a duo of Mopar muscle cars – a 1970 Challenger T/A and Mr. Norm's Super Cuda: a 2009 Challenger SRT that has been transformed into a hard-charging Barracuda. Both cars will showcase the latest advancements in handling technology.

The 1970 Challenger, codenamed E-MAX, started out as a totally stock '70 Challenger converted by a previous owner to 340 Six-Pack trim. Hotchkis components include new fabricated steel upper a-arms with bolt-in relocation suspension pickup point brackets, fabricated strut rods with Heim joints to eliminate excess front suspension play, bump steer corrected aluminum steering rods with adjustable Heim joint ends, a new balanced front and rear sway bar package, performance springs that lower the car two-inches and fabricated steel subframe connectors for improved rigidity.

These front suspension products create a proper negative camber curve, sufficient positive camber for high speed stability and full bump and droop travel without bumpsteer. Essentially Hotchkis has revised the antiquated front suspension with modern geometry. E-MAX will also feature Stoptech Brakes, Forgeline Wheels, Yokohama Tires, Flowmaster Exhaust, Red Line Oil and engine fluids and power by Optima Batteries. The car will retain its 340 Six Pack powerplant and Hurst Pistol Grip equipped four-speed transmission.

For nearly two decades, Hotchkis Performance has been making muscle and sports cars faster on the track and more fun to drive on the street. The Hotchkis philosophy of engineering bolt-on, no-cutting required performance parts that have been thoroughly track tested and race proven means enthusiasts can modify their car for a dramatically improved, grin-inducing driving experience without permanently altering their car. Simply stash your old parts in the garage, bolt-on a Hotchkis Sport Suspension system and hit the gas. If you ever want to bring your ride back to factory stock, simply pull the old parts out of storage and you're good to go.

"Mr. Norm" Kraus, who rose to fame as the proprietor of Grand Spaulding Dodge and a drag racing icon, will also be talking to fans and signing autographs in the Hotchkis booth from 2:00 – 3:00pm Wednesday, November 5th at the SEMA Show.

[Hotchkis]

It's recommended that potential buyers have "a current Competition License or sanctioning body affiliation prior to ordering their vehicle." So, n00bs need not apply. That's because Mopar wants to put their best foot forward with the Drag Challenger. They've even specified that the "buyer is encouraged to have the Challenger Drag Pak vehicle in competition within a reasonable amount of time." We're assuming that's also to weed out any speculating collector-types, as the profit margin on the vehicles will likely be slim to none. Besides, nobody should ever take a brand new race car and seal it in a bubble in a locked garage. [Mopar via Allpar]

The 2009 model year takes the Challenger from a low-volume quasi-halo muscle car to a full lineup of three separate trim levels, each with their own engine flavor. The base model SE starts at $21,995, getting a 3.5-liter High Ouput V6 producing 250 HP and an equal number of lb-ft of torque. The top model's still the SRT8, at a starting price of $39,995 and powered by the reliable and huge 6.1-liter Hemi V8 with 425 HP and 420 lb-ft of torque. The middle-of-the-pack R/T hits the showroom floor at a starting price of $29,995 and comes with the 5.7-liter Hemi engine under the hood, producing either 370 HP and 398 lb-ft of torque (when running on premium fuel) or 375 HP and 404 lb-ft of torque, depending on which transmission it's mated to.

Wait, what? Multiple transmissions? Yes muscle car fans, it's what two of these models' engines are mated to that'll give Jalopnik readers cause for celebration. Both the R/T and the SRT8 get an optional Tremec T6060 six-speed manual transmission ported from the Dodge Viper. The option's only available on the Hemi-fied R/T and SRT8 versions, so if you want the V6-powered SE, you'll only end up getting a four-speed automatic. Pity.

The R/T gets another couple of nice features as part of the $995 "Track Pack" manual package — a Hill-start Assist (which was a very nice feature on some of the hills around our drive through New Jersey), a limited-slip differential (the SRT8 gets the LSD standard) and a tuned exhaust system (SRT8 manual gets this as well) that sounds great in the lower gears.

On the road, both the manual Challenger R/T and the Challenger SRT8 felt much more satisfying to drive. Thanks to the auto-only multi-displacement technology, the R/T in both auto-stick and manual transmission models get 16 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The 2009 SRT8 gets the same piss-poor 13 MPG city, 19 MPG highway as the 2008 model, but the manual transmission at least gives you an extra mile in the city and an extra three on the highway thanks to that very helpful sixth gear.

Setting aside the benefits of the manual on the road, it's the track where it really becomes useful. Although the 2008 SRT8's automatic transmission had a +/- gate auto-stick mode, I really felt it to be too gimmicky for anything other than making a businessman feel like he was the big man at a stoplight. It's certainly not a transmission you'll feel comfortable using anywhere other than a drag strip — at least not if you want to keep your dignity and control safely intact. Which is why we were excited to hit the Englishtown track. Thanks to coning designed to keep drivers like me from becoming a smear on a wall, I didn't even get the car out of second or third gear on the track. Unfortunate for me, yes, but quite fortunately for the Challenger's clutch plates.

Still, despite the aggressive coning, the smooth clutch gave me greater confidence, and the pistol-grip shifter available with the "Track Pack" felt more comfortable in my hand than the original 70's it's kinda-sorta modeled after. But, a manual shifter alone doesn't make a track car.

The Challenger's still a fatty, as we found when we scrubbed the front tires on the first too-tight turn at speed around the Englishtown course in the R/T and later on in the course with an SRT8. Thanks to the RWD platform, with the nanny system turned all the way off, you're still able to steer with your right foot, just like the 2008 Challenger SRT8 and every other LX-platformed SRT8 and R/T.

So which of the three, if any, is the right choice for you? Sorry Spinelli, but it's certainly not the SE. The automatic transmission and low horsepower mated to a heavy RWD car ensure this will compete not for our attention, but with Midwestern hairdressers as the car of choice to replace their V6 Mustang.

If you're a muscle car madman needing a 0-to-60 time of five seconds, you'll probably want the SRT8, as Dodge estimates the R/T's time to be somewhere just under six seconds. Sure, you could beat the pants off the SRT8 in a straight-line with a Shelby GT500, but it'll cost you significantly more and I'm not sure it'll take to the track any better.

Still, despite the SRT8's bigger engine, we're not sure the 30% higher sticker price justifies the 10% higher horsepower. In our mind, if you want a modern muscle car, the R/T may be right in the sweet spot. In terms of looks, you'll get the same (maybe more with the double-black hood stripes and functional hood scoop of the "Classic" package) double-takes as its stronger brother, the same horrifyingly plastic interior, and you'll do it for a much cheaper sticker price and an almost 20% higher fuel economy rating.

Either way, whether you choose an R/T or an SRT8, you'll still get a Challenger with a manual transmission. Like we said, 2009's better than 2008 by at least one-third.

For this example, we'll be using the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, but the essential procedure can be applied to any number of slushbox-equipped RWD vehicles. Once you've mastered the technique, feel free to make your own video to show us all what you've learned. If you'd like some examples, check out our Corvette ZR1 burnout video, or this slow-motion Ford Mustang burnout video.

Photo Credit: Alex C. Conley

• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part One
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part Two
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Part Three