Spy Shots: Dodge Challenger R/T in need of a wash
by John Neff on Mar 13th 2008 at 10:58AM 
Click above to view two new high-res spy shots of the Challenger R/T
There's two things I miss about living in Detroit: $2.99 car washes and seeing preproduction prototypes on public streets. I get my fix for both longings in these spy shots sent to us by reader Jeff R. who snapped a Dodge Challenger R/T in the area of Rochester Hills, MI. We'll have to take his word that it's not an already-unveiled SRT-8 model, as from what we've seen of both so far, they look very similar save for a different badge on the grille and trunk. There might be more news on the Challenger and its various iterations in the coming weeks, so don't change that channel.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MajorGeek 11:07AM (3/13/2008)
As someone overpaying 15k to get a SRT8 listen up Dodge. Remove the spoiler. Remove the hood scoop. Find a way, if possible, to make the SRT wheels uglier then the SRT8. The cars need to be noticeably different. As a Viper owner and former owner of many rams and dakotas, if ya screw this one up, you will never see my money again.
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Frylock350 11:56AM (3/13/2008)
Now why would Dodge do that? So you can dick-wave that you spend more $$$ on a car? I LIKE that Dodge is willing to share the goods with those that can't shell out $40k for it.
FThorn 12:25PM (3/13/2008)
They said they added that spoiler because the old-style front end produces LIFT, and they need the small spoiler on back to produce downforce.
MajorGeek 12:28PM (3/13/2008)
No, because I purchased a limited edition run of a car and want it to be different, thats why I bought it. Im sorry your vommentingon an auto enthusiast website and are too stupid to figure that out.
Justin 1:05PM (3/13/2008)
He's right though...as an "auto enthusiast" you shouldn't give two craps if your version looks better than a lower version so long as you have better performance.
If it's all about looks to you, it's just so you can feel a little cooler driving around or "dick wave" as the other poster said. Unfortunately, it's still a Dodge and everyone knows it.
Ted 1:07PM (3/13/2008)
Majorgeek, please do the following:
1. learn to use apostrophes
2. learn to spell, "vomit," "vomiting," and "on"
3. never pay a $15K markup on a $40K car again
before ever calling someone else stupid again.
Frylock350 1:29PM (3/13/2008)
To second what Justin said, as an enthusiast you should want SRT8 for its engine, not some different look you can show off. And don't think you are buying a "limited run" version either. Just because you are getting an 08 doesn't make it limited, they are going to produce plenty of SRT8s in 2009 as well. The R/T won't have an SRT8 badge on it, so there you go they're different. But cool muscle car stuff like hood scoops should be on the basic V6 model all the way up to the top V8. It doesn't piss me off that only one letter distinguishes my Suburban from a lesser trim. Also you should learn better than to buy a car before the market price has settled.
SPG 11:08AM (3/13/2008)
Somehow my first thought was that this is going to kill the resale for all the Monte Carlo SS's out there.
I know, I know. They are two very different cars and there's even a chance this car might make the used coupe market even stronger.
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TriShield 11:21AM (3/13/2008)
Mopar is certainly getting a good jump on the Camaro with an extremely good looking car.
challengertalk and allpar say 2009 R/T production starts this summer. It will pack the 5.7L HEMI and offer a six-speed manual. It's expected to sticker around $30,000, probably less. The SRT-8 will get a 500hp eventually as well. Good things come to those who wait.
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C.W. 11:24AM (3/13/2008)
this car looks like a fat chick.
lame.
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DCragtop 7:43AM (3/14/2008)
It's funny you say that. All along, when this car was photographed with no other cars around, it actually looked good. But when you see it on the streets in 'real' mode and against other cars, it does look 'fat'. and not 'phat'. If it looks this large in black.....
Disgruntled Goat 11:28AM (3/13/2008)
I gotta say, I'm a GM fan at heart and loved the Camaro in Transformers but this Challenger just looks better (to me). The Camaro design seems somewhat busy where this is a more clean, classic look. To each his own, and I'm sure the Camaro will sell better primarily because it says "camaro" on the side, but IMO the Challenger is a better looking car.
If only I needed a 4000lb coupe that got a real world 15mpg in the days of $4/gal gas....
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rar 11:41AM (3/13/2008)
I can tell you that the R/T will get better that 15mpg. My R/T Charger gets 21mpg combined driving. Not bad for a 340 hp sedan thats over 4000lbs.
Polly Prissy Pants 11:35PM (3/13/2008)
That's pretty good since it's rated at 15mpg city and 22mpg hwy. My R/T gets about 16 overall and that's with significant highway driving. Most people will be pulling down 17mpg in the real world with this thing.
MTU 5.0 11:40AM (3/13/2008)
Being in the Metro Detroit area, you definitely see a lot of development vehicles on the roads.
I saw a black SRT8 Challenger on 5 mile road between Beck and Sheldon in Plymouth Twsp. last week. The car does look good, but the one thing I noticed as I followed in my midsize Ford Fusion is
that the Challenger is a big coupe. I think that will be the one distinction that will be very noticeable when it is positioned next to the Mustang and new Camaro.
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GTX141 11:50AM (3/13/2008)
That's teh corner of Opdyke and University in Auburn Hills, right down the street from Chrysler HQ
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Mike K. 1:49PM (3/13/2008)
I thought I recognized that car wash sign. I work on Hamlin at Adams, so I'm over in that area for lunch a lot.
Scotty 11:54AM (3/13/2008)
Cool, I know where that is.
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TriShield 12:17PM (3/13/2008)
When I drove my Grand National to the Dream Cruise I used to use that car wash to clean it up for the big day. I still stay in Auburn Hills for it every year when I fly in.
As rar pointed out the fuel consumption of the R/T will certainly be livable. More so than the fullsize trucks, SUVs, and gas-guzzling crossovers polluting our roads. My GTO returns 17-18mpg per tank communting in the city and I only have to fill it up once a week. It's also worth it to own a car that you love having.
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Frylock350 1:30PM (3/13/2008)
I return about the same in the city (16-17) with my Suburban, the biggest of the SUVs.