Dodge finally adds a five-speed automatic to V6 Challenger SE
One of the weakest points of the base V6-equipped Dodge Challenger SE has been the transmission. Chrysler saddled the SE with the old four-speed automatic instead of the Mercedes designed five-speed used in the V8 models. Chrysler used the occasion of an LX owners meet this weekend to debut a new SE Rallye edition that finally gives the V6 the extra ratio it needs. The Rallye also gets hood and decklid stripes, and five spoke 18-inch wheels. Hopefully Chrysler tightens up the suspension a bit to eliminate some of the floatiness of the SE. The SE Rallye will reportedly run $26,490 after production starts next month.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kumail 10:03AM (3/30/2009)
They seriously put "Dodge Challenger," "V6" and "automatic" in the same sentence without the word "not."
The apocalypse is coming (or they are trying to get more buyers).
Reply
chconline 1:22PM (3/30/2009)
Edmunds Inside Line recently did a test of the Dodge Challenger V6 with the 4 speed auto. It reported a 0-60mph time of 8.0 seconds.
You know what's funny? You can beat that in a Honda Odyssey :P
Imagine a soccer mom drag racing their Honda Odyssey against some kid in their Challenger and winning. I would love to watch that.
Harley Cook 10:06AM (3/30/2009)
I drove a V-6 Challenger and it screamed for a 5-speed manual! This car is too big for a V-6 and a slushbox!
Reply
Jake B 11:59AM (3/30/2009)
The V6 model is altogether pretty pathetic. I saw one the other day and wondered why it looked so goofy, then I realized how skinny the tires were. Skinny little tires and the mammoth body of a Challenger do not jive well.
MikeW 12:42PM (3/30/2009)
Well you can replace the 215/65 17 tires with 235/60 17
I think that the base Challenger should be 235/55 18 on 7.5x18
and the 5.7 Hemi should be 245/5019 on 8x19
That should look right.
Mike S 10:09AM (3/30/2009)
Will the 4 speed still be on the base SE?
Man, I remember the 80's and 90's when Mustang 5.0's and the GM 5.0 HO V-8's only made 190-215 hp.......and we complain these days about anemic 250 hp V6's?
Reply
MikeW 11:57AM (3/30/2009)
Chrysler took out the variable resonance intake manifold function (so is it open or closed?) but left the short runner system (which puts up good HP numbers for the marketing department-when used in conjunction with mid-grade fuel)
Most people use regular & don't venture above 5,000rpm (what does it make, 200hp@5000 on regular)
So this engine only makes more power than the 4.0 Mustang V6 over 5000 rpm (where the Mustang dies above 5000rpm, this makes decent power all the way to 6500rpm)
Dan 1:00PM (3/30/2009)
Those 200hp V8s had 275-300 lb-ft of useable torque on tap from just off idle, but no top end.
And not having been intended for 40 mph crashes into brick walls, the cars they resided in had about 700 lbs less to drag around.
Apples and orangutans.
Chris 1:07PM (3/30/2009)
But the Fox Bodies and Camaro's/Firebird's didn't weigh over 4000 lbs with the 200hp they had.
Zeus.:God 10:12AM (3/30/2009)
Not going to say much about the V6 and the slush box (the V6 isn't that bad), but those wheels look awesome! Especially in that size- it's always nice to see newer cars with a little bit of rubber wrapping their wheels. Usually the wheels have been so large that they put rubber bands on 'em.
Reply
LoneWolf 10:50AM (3/30/2009)
Yeah, zhe wheels look very nice!
MemphisNET 10:15AM (3/30/2009)
Not the manual trans announcement I've been waiting for, but the 3.5 w/Merc5 series is not a bad combo at all.
Reply
rsfourever 10:16AM (3/30/2009)
do they offer the challenger (in any trim) with a manual transmission?
Reply
mroverlord 10:23AM (3/30/2009)
The R/T is available with a 374hp 5.7L & 6 speed manual with either 3.73 gear (18 inch wheels) or 3.92 gears (20 inch wheels). With a manual the 5.7L is NOT MDS equipped, but it doesn't seem to hurt the mileage any. I believe both R/Ts are rated at 25 hwy (I know the automatic is for sure).
For 2009 the SRT is also available with the 6 speed manual.
evident 9:57PM (3/30/2009)
launching a sports car w/ a 4 spd automatic,
and they're wondering why they are doing so bad?
Reply
hypermiler 10:18AM (3/30/2009)
Just remember that Chrysler could be liquidated in 30 days under new Obama plan...
Reply
Mazda FTW! 10:19AM (3/30/2009)
The car in the picture is all kinds of hot! I don't care if it doesn't even have an engine. That's the sorta car you just keep parked on the driveway in sunshine and pull up a chair and stare at. WOW.
Reply
mroverlord 10:28AM (3/30/2009)
While I think the V6 should be offered with a manual, it's nice to see the 5spd auto in there. It's a good transmission.
Dodge pulled the same garbage with the Charger, dropping the 5spd in favor of the 4spd in the V6 version after 2006. The V6 Rams are the same story. In 2002 the Ram could be gotten with the 3.7L V6 and 45RFE transmission, and it wasn't too bad of a combination, pulling low 20s on the highway. In 2003 they dropped the 45RE from the V6 Rams and went back to the 42RE, which just killed it. A 3.7L/42RE combo got the same, or worse mileage than a 4.7L/545RFE combo.
The 545RFE is a great transmission overall...they need to kill off the 42RE and go to all 5 and 6 speed autos.
Reply
MikeW 11:44AM (3/30/2009)
The 545rfe can't hang with 6 speed autos.
It just doesn't have the ratio spread 4.5:1 vs. 6:1. (and the ratio distribution isn't good)
mroverlord 2:25PM (3/30/2009)
True, the spread needs work, but overall the trans is very good. It is very reliable and damn near indestructible. I think just a respread would fix things, but yes, a 6 speed version would be cool.
Either way, it's a truck transmission, and wasn't built for performance, but hauling, which it does well.