Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge Challenger SRT8.
There isn't much mystery left to the Dodge Challenger, but for those of you who like to geek-out on suspension geometry and torsional rigidity, the SRT crew from Dodge is making itself available to answer all your burning questions online. The SRT chat session will take place tomorrow from 6 pm to 8 pm EST at 300cforums.com, where members can submit a maximum of two questions each to be answered by Dodge's in-house tuners. While the topics of conversation will generally center around the LX platform and the SRT models on which they're based, this will be the first time that engineers will be able to answer questions about the Challenger SRT8 in an enthusiast forum. You can log on two hours before the discussion begins to start submitting questions and for those of you planning to attend, drop us a line if anything juicy appears.
Thanks for the heads-up Jay.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Purifoy @ Mar 11th 2008 6:22PM
I can hardly wait for this bad boy to show up on my local dealer's lot!
jg @ Mar 11th 2008 6:45PM
It already did, 40 years ago (troll disclaimer, I'm exagerating it was probably only 36 years ago). You'd think after watching Death Proof I'd want one of these retros but I don't. I want the original. This is like sticking an HD plasma screen into an oldtiime console tv cabinet.
judd @ Mar 11th 2008 6:22PM
It's another one of those where they really don't answer the questions, but just post the information they want to post?
Christian @ Mar 11th 2008 6:50PM
"Q: Does the car go over the port or starboard side of the vessel?"
firestarsolo @ Mar 11th 2008 6:53PM
I hope someone asks why it is so heavy. . .hopefully Autoblog will do their best to cover it!!
TriShield @ Mar 11th 2008 7:06PM
Car and Driver asked the engineers that and the answer is because it's basically a shortened Charger lacking a B-pillar.
In order to pass government side impact regulations they had to make up for the loss of the B-pillar structure by beefing up the structure of the sides of the car including the doors which adds weight.
This is one of many reasons why weight continues to creep up in modern cars is modern safety requirements.
Jrejre @ Mar 11th 2008 8:53PM
The challenger has a B-pillar. . .
vexner @ Mar 11th 2008 11:50PM
Then why does the Challenger SRT8 weigh about 50lbs LESS than a Charger SRT8?
MemphisNET @ Mar 12th 2008 1:51AM
Jrejre:
yes, it does - and its the size of your 10year old sisters wrist. The entire side structure has to be beefed up so the car doesn't fold in on itself.
It's still a sedan, it's just a 2door one. Not everything can be an Elise kids.
Chad @ Mar 11th 2008 7:25PM
I understand many of you don't "get it", but as far as retro design goes the Challenger stomps the Camaro completely.
friko @ Mar 11th 2008 7:52PM
aaaamen.
Quicksilver @ Mar 11th 2008 8:50PM
I love the look of this car. Dodge had a Challenger at the UAW-Dodge 400 NASCAR race in Vegas and I got to see one in person. I am a MOPAR guy and this car looks better than the original IMO with modern drivetrain. Here's a link to some pics I posted of it....
http://www.mx6.com/forums/lounge/205138-looky-what-i-saw-nascar-today.html
Corey W @ Mar 12th 2008 3:21PM
Obviously you don't understand that Dodge went more retro and Chevy didn't... Get it!!
Chad @ Mar 12th 2008 4:55PM
Yup, and as I said the Challenger did retro right.
greddy007 @ Mar 11th 2008 9:13PM
sweet i wanted one!!!
greddy007 @ Mar 11th 2008 9:14PM
Ijust love it!!!
TriShield @ Mar 11th 2008 10:37PM
Yes it has a B-pillar but a smaller one positioned in a different area of the structure versus the Charger.
MikeW @ Mar 12th 2008 12:48AM
The people from Chrysler drive Michigan roads, right?
see Autoblog thing on Michigan roads.
The tires/wheels need changing, more so an update with reality. [grand larceny of the gas tax, and the failing/failed infrastructure]
245/50 19 front [on 8x19]
275/45 19 rear [on 9.5x19]
What about a mini-spare now? [as large as can fit in the trunk] so when you get a flat, you put the mini-spare on the front, put the full size diameter front wheel on the back. [a 'limited-slip' differential right?]
Can you use 10w-30 oil in the 6.1 for the winter, instead of 0w-40?
What about using the 2.82 axle ratio instead of 3.06?
Is the 210mm ring gear not strong enough? Is the 215mm really necessary?
Why would Chrysler even bother with a 4 speed automatic with the V6? [3.07 axle & W5a580K]
What gas does the 6.1 V8 take[to make full power]? 98RON
What gas does the 5.7 V8 take? 95RON
What about a separate gate for AutoStick? [the germans have left]
If AutoStick isn't going to get fixed, what about a dual way rocker switch [like the W/C MB used to use]. One way to lock out 1st gear [for 2nd gear starts, and to utilize the second reverse gear]. The other way to lock out overdrive?
These cars have terrible/horrible weight distributions. [56/44 for the SRT, the Acura RL is 58/42]
Why would the stick shift V8 cars have reversely differentiated axle ratios? The bigger engine should have the taller gearing. 5.7 should be 3.92, 6.1 should be 3.73.
Is the 7g-tronic even in consideration? Ssangyong will be using it.
Really, no eEGR, cylinder shutoff, or VCT for the 6.1 V8, and people are surprised at the 13/18 fuel economy.
and there isn't any need to harp about the lack of high beams on the SRT8 model [bi-projectors are not high beams] or the terrible rear lighting.
They have done a stupendous job of recreating the old car. It is just a shame it was crap then [got aerodynamics?] and is crap now.
iQuack @ Mar 12th 2008 1:51AM
The introduction of this turkey will be the non-event of the year. Lots of publicity for a fat and heavy version of a car that wasn't very good in the '70s and is even less sensible today.
I think Chrysler is wasting its time and effort with this POS when it should be making the kinds of cars that most people in the U.S. want. Most people do NOT want an uneconomical retro coupe that isn't much to look at, either.
If the Challenger excites you, resist the temptation to overpay for one while the ninnies bid up prices. In a few months these things will be gathering dust in dealers' lots and you'll be able to buy your precious Challenger at a deep, DEEP, discount.
71cuda @ Mar 12th 2008 7:04AM
That's true with pretty much every car with even moderate production levels. I can get you a new 08 Z06 Vette for $400 over invoice ($7000 off the MSRP.)