Chrysler confirms Challenger SRT-8
We feel a "Thank you, Captain Obvious" is in order for this piece of news that was published all the way back on July 12th within the walled garden of Ward's Auto. The news is simply that Chrysler has confirmed it will build an SRT-8 version of the upcoming Challenger pony car. Chrysler, sorry, the NEW Chrysler, has never issued a release to our knowledge confirming it will sell the Challenger SRT-8, but again, we don't need one because they'd be crazy not to.
All current SRT-8 products use Chrysler's 6.1L HEMI V8, so we would expect the same powerplant for the Challenger SRT-8 producing 425 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs. of torque. However, considering how many high-powered variants of the Mustang are offered, and that Chevy will certainly offer a comparably high-powered version of the Camaro, we expect the SRT-8 to break rank with its siblings and have considerably more power than we're used to seeing in an SRT-8 product. In fact, we may reasonably expect all SRT-8 models to get an commensurate bump in power after the Challenger SRT-8 debuts in late 2009, especially with some like the Dodge Charger, Magnum and Chrysler 300 switching from the current LX platform to a new one code named LY.
BTW - Less than 159 days remain until the production Chrysler Challenger debuts at the Chicago Auto Show next February (check the countdown clock).
[Source: SEMA.org]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Rob 2:36PM (8/31/2007)
I like the design, but honestly I don't think I could swing the MPG. If they made the thing LIGHTER, and sold it with a turbo'd 4 or 6 cylinder, I'd be down. But right now... it just seems like yet another car for the fat, almost retired 45+ year old males.
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Egon 2:47PM (8/31/2007)
Turbo 4???!!! Heck, if they did that, then they might as well finish it off by using a K-car platform and calling it a Daytona. Seriously Rob, are you Lee Iacocca in disguise?
Their current approach runs in the same lines with the Mustang and upcoming Camaro. If Chrysler can execute what they've promised so far, I think they'll have a winner.
Rob 3:10PM (8/31/2007)
Yeah, a turbo 4. Don't get me wrong, I love american musclecars; my first car was a 68 Charger, but I think the era of gas guzzling v8 daily drivers is long gone. I want a fast car I can drive EVERY DAY, without ruining the environment. A turbo 4= if driven gently, the economy of a 4 cylinder, and under boost, the power of a V8! Subaru and Mitsu easily crank out 300+hp from their little 4 bangers, I think a turbo'd 6 cylinder could get 20+mpg city, and maybe 27mpg highway, while having a ton of power. I love the idea of the 'fast' version of the Challenger, but just not at it's current price, both in terms of dollars, and how much fuel it requires. It's just not efficient.
Don 3:47PM (8/31/2007)
You can't put a turbo 4 or 6 in this thing...it just wouldn't be right.
Besides, the folks who buy the Challenger can afford the gas.
hotrod 4:16PM (8/31/2007)
Have you not heard of cylinder deactivation? Get with the program. V8 MDS economy >= 6 banger economy.
BTW, you don't really think a turbo four uses less gas to make 600hp do you? It's just forcing more air and gas into a smaller space, not using less of it. Time for Automotive 101.
Mikel 4:17PM (8/31/2007)
It doesn't need a turbo 4, it has MDS. It is an 8 cyl monster on the street and a 4 cyl little puppy on the highway. Contrary to GM's old method, this system actually works. Check it out.
Rob 7:03PM (8/31/2007)
Hotrod, maybe you need to go to automotive 101. 600hp still requires about the same amount of gas, but the difference is that it's not USING that much gas when it's not under boost. What's better?
A 300hp v8 that gets 17mpg hwy?
Or a 300hp boosted 4 cylinder that gets 27mpg hwy?
The answer is quite clear. The big 3 will continue to lose their edge in regular cars, economy cars, and performance cars because they INSIST on huge engines in HUGE vehicles. Meanwhile, more people are buying WRXs because they manage good mpg, while still having a lot of power and being a blast to drive.
Justin 7:47PM (8/31/2007)
Rob, 300 hp v8's sure as hell don't get 17 mpg highway (try 27 for the monte/impala ss for example), but good job trying to manipulate the numbers
Francis 5:11AM (9/01/2007)
LOL@Rob - Challenger with a turbo 4? That's just silly. Noone would want one. I can imagine it now, american muscle that sounds like a buzzy japanese import.
FYI:
06 Evo, Turbo 4, 286hp, 18/24mpg
07 STi, Turbo 4, 293hp, 19/25mpg
07 Mustang GT, N/A V8, 300hp, 15/23mpg
When you figure that the Mustang runs on 87 octane, and STi & Evo needs 93 octane to make those numbers, you're spending the same money at the pump.
Now figure you've get a flatter torque curve, no turbo lag, and more headroom for power boosters with the Ford modular V8.
AntBee 2:37PM (8/31/2007)
"BTW - Less than 159 days remain until the production Chrysler Challenger debuts at the Chicago Auto Show next February"
So, is this car going to be a Chrysler Challenger or a Dodge Challenger? I always thought they were under the Dodge moniker.
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hotrod 2:53PM (8/31/2007)
It's pretty obvious it's a Dodge. It was originally a Dodge, they added the dodge crosshairs to the grille, what more do you need?
They're using "Chrysler" like "GM", not as the brand name.
JT 2:59PM (8/31/2007)
viper motor? kthxbai?
-JT
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El Calor 3:04PM (8/31/2007)
More power is always better :) Might have a good chance of getting the 396ci 500hp engine ;)
http://www.challengertalk.com
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jas12niss 3:08PM (8/31/2007)
You can thank the 05 mustang design for bring back these classic cars such as the Camaro and Challenger.
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Tryston 3:07PM (8/31/2007)
This only shows - who is real leader in the autgroup. Everybody, lets follow Ford Mustang retro design.....Hurry
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jas12niss 3:19PM (8/31/2007)
Retro car designs are better lookin then a bland slowyota.
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Todd 3:20PM (8/31/2007)
But will it handle? Will it have good brakes? Who cares about power if the restof the car is like a "muscle car?"
BTW, it looks like a huge pig. I'd like to see a small, nimble dodge Challenger. Porsche 911 sized. Something for this generation.
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Chuck 3:22PM (8/31/2007)
God bless America, and this politically incorrect wonderful piece of machinery.
Ten years from now when the next gas crisis is in full bloom (if you think now is a gas crisis, you've got another thing coming), we'll look back fondly at this second golden age of muscle cars.
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jas12niss 3:33PM (8/31/2007)
You forgot to mention those fuel efficient SUV's out on the road now;)
iQuack 3:37PM (8/31/2007)
Just wait. After a few months (or probably weeks) of hoopla, this over-sized, overweight, uneconomical nostalgia loser of a relic from the '70s will be discounted down to sub-invoice.
Yeah, yeah, a few gotta-have-it guys who somehow got laid in one of these yawners 35 years ago will pay a fat premium to be first in their hoods with one.
Then watch for the cash-back coupons and other promotions trying to move Challenged iron from Dodge dealers' lots. Don't say I didn't warn you;-).
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