Autoblog

click above for more shots of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

We're definitely geared up for the official unveiling of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 at the Chicago Auto Show next week. But for those who don't live near the Windy City, you can check out Chrysler's modern day muscle car in person at the 2008 Philadelphia Auto Show where it will debut simultaneously. The interesting thing is that the Challenger will debut on Wednesday, February 6th during the press preview days of the Chicago Auto Show. Chicagoans not accredited with a media badge will have to wait until the weekend to see the car in person. Philadelphians, however, will be able to view the car the very same day since the Philly show is already open to the public at that point. Considering the Royal Rumble we expect to ensue in Chicago after Chrysler invites the media up on stage to view the car, perhaps we'll have a blogger on hand in Philadelphia to catch the other unveiling. Any volunteers? Thanks for the tip, caddy dave!

[Source: phillyautoshow.com]

click above for more pics of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

With all of the spy shots, leaked covers and embargoed images of the 2008 Dodge Challenger on the web already, we're not sure how Chrysler feels about any more information getting out on its modern muscle car. Some information, however, is public access, like fuel economy ratings and other specs that are posted by the EPA on its website, fueleconomy.gov. The 2008 Dodge Challenger has already been added to the site and is reported to get 13 mpg city and 18 mpg on the highway. Since the 2008 MY Challenger will be just the SRT8 model with the five-speed automatic, these figures are for the familiar 6.1L HEMI V8 used in other SRT products like the Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8, both of which also achieve the same fuel economy numbers. According to the EPA, driving the Challenger SRT8 a distance of 25 miles will cost you around $5.50, and you'll be spending around $3,302 per year on gas.

The fueleconomy.gov page for the 2008 Dodge Challenger also reveals that its interior volume will be 94 cubic feet and that the trunk will swallow 16 cubic feet of air. Just for comparison's sake, the 2007 Ford Mustang has 85 cubic feet of space in its passenger compartment and 13 cubic feet in the trunk. If you're on the fence about these two pony cars, this information might make a difference. Thanks for the tip, Mohamed!

[Source: fueleconomy.gov]

click to enlarge

While the exterior of the production 2008 Dodge Challenger is a secret no more, the interior has managed to stay hidden from view. That changed today when a link to this pair of interior spy shots was found on the challengertalk.com forums. While no designs seen in spy shots are final until the production car is officially revealed, this appears to be where Dodge is at with the Challenger's interior at the moment. To be honest, we're really underwhelmed. Not that we expected a bunch of retro queues inside the Challenger, and not that the car's exterior is all that flashy either, but this center console looks like a parts bin special with a side of fries. We dig the shifter handle, though, and we'll reserve judgment on the gauge pod that's trimmed in shiny metal until we get a better view. Who knows, maybe some will appreciate the plain Jane interior and insist it values function over form. Overall, however, we hope that Chrysler has something a little more special planned for the Challenger's instrument panel before production starts.

[Source: challengertalk.com]

It's no secret to what the 2008 Dodge Challenger will look like. We've seen dozens of spy photos, reader-submitted photos of a production Challenger cruising the streets, and more recently we've seen it in on the cover of Car and Driver's April issue. That was enough for Autoweek to decide to post a few official shots on their web site, who didn't want to get left behind. More official photos and information will surely come shortly. Whether or not it's before the Challenger's introduction at the Chicago Auto Show is the question.

[Source: Auto Week]

Click on the image above for more of the first concept Challenger

We were hoping Dodge would give us our first look at the production version Dodge Challenger at Barrett-Jackson (we've seen plenty of it already with the reader-submitted photos!), but to no avail. The concept car was brought to represent what potential buyers would actually be bidding on - the first production Dodge Challenger SRT8. The car will come with all available options including the 6.1-liter Hemi V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, navigation, and sunroof. A plaque on the dash will identify it as car #1.

Not quite as high as the first GT500 KR or Corvette ZR1, the gavel dropped at a mere $400,000 (before auction fees) for the first Challenger. The winning bidder also gets two VIP passes to the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race later this year. All proceeds from the sale will benefit notMYkid, an organization dedicated to understanding youth behavioral issues.

Autoblog reader Ray O'Connor happened upon an undisguised Dodge Challenger on his way to work in the Detroit area and managed to snap a photo of it from behind the wheel. At first, we wondered whether the HEMI orange car pictured was simply the concept car out and about, because it has been known to traverse public roads before. Neither the ducktail spoiler on the trunklid nor the taillamp design shown on this car are features of the concept, however, so we're guessing one of the preproduction cars was stretching its legs a bit. Or maybe Chrysler's taking a page from GM and, like the Camaro, has decided to just get rid of the camo altogether. In any case, the car will finally be revealed to the world next month in Chicago, and we'll be there, as always, to cover it.

Thanks, Ray!

click above image to view more teaser shots of the 2008 Dodge Challenger

Are we that hard up for news on the 2008 Dodge Challenger that we'll do a post on one measly new photo of a part of the car we've already seen? Uh, yeah, in fact we are, so credit Autoblog reader Glenn who found this new shot on Dodge's website for the Challenger. It's slid in there with the rest ofo the teaser shots we've seen and shows the same grille we've seen before but from another angle. In fact, from this perspective it appears that the housing for the headlights is silver rather than black, but it could just as easily be crappy lighting messing with our heads. Check out the actual shape of the headlights, though, that give the impression they're peering out from beneath the hood even though they're not. Regardless, we now have one more teaser shot of the 2008 Dodge Challenger to add to our gallery. It's not long now until the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit when we'll have dozens and dozens of images of the new Dodge Challenger to add.

UPDATE: We discovered that we first saw this image in leaked scans of an official brochure for the 2008 Dodge Challenger, but this is the first time we've seen the actual color-corrected version.

[Source: Dodge]

click above image for more teaser pics of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

According to Inside Line, Dodge claims it doesn't know where websites and blogs got the idea that it would only build 5,000 Challengers in 2008, the car's first year of production. We can tell you. Automotive News reported it back in late October, and then it was reported by Inside Line. Despite the confusion, the cross-hair brand claims the final production number for 2008 is not set in stone. That's probably because initial demand for its modern muscle car is high, with 6,600 preorders recorded in just three days. Now Dodge is saying it could build and sell up to but not more than 10,000 Challengers in 2008, though only a Limited Edition version of the SRT8 model with the five-speed automatic will be offered. After that, Dodge will add the other Challenger models available with the 5.7L HEMI and 3.5L V6. Production will eventually reach beyond 30,000 units per year. Hopefully for Dodge this initial high demand for the Challenger won't fall too much by the time it begins pumping them out en masse.

[Source: Inside Line]

click above image for more high-res pics of the Dodge Challenger Concept

The Ford Mustang has held court in the modern day muscle car segment long enough. At least that's what Chevy and Dodge would like you to believe, as both brands are prepping their answer to the Mustang as we speak. Dodge's offering will of course be the new Challenger, and Allpar.com has dug up some news on the rear-wheel-drive muscle car's productions specs that was previously unknown. Along with detail information on each of the Challenger's drivetrains, including engines, transmissions and axle ratios, Allpar.com reveals two new features that the Challenger will sport when it goes on sale sometime next year as a 2009 model. The first is the same Hill Start Assist technology used on the Dodge Ram, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and Liberty. Like the name suggests, HSA will hold the car in place on a hill, giving the driver a small amount of time to switch pedals and begin applying throttle. Hopefully it will save a few rear bumpers from some expensive bodywork. The second feature is called the Trak Pak, which is reportedly just a marketing term for a specific combination of transmission, shfiter and gearing. Available on R/T and SRT-8 models, the Tremec 6-speed manual is included, as well as a limited slip differential, though the axle ratio appears to vary between the two models on which the Trak Pak is included.

Follow the jump for more including a complete breakdown of the Dodge Challenger's drivetrains.

[Source: Allpar.com]

Say it with us now: create demand. Challengers won't roll off the line en masse next year. Instead, as we reported last month, Dodge is going to make just 5,000 of them for the '08 model year, all SRT models with 5.7- or 6.1-liter Hemis. In 2009, Dodge will widen the sluice some, with output expected to be 30,000 to 35,000 cars. That is also when six-speed manual and dual-clutch options could be added. The Challenger will take the stand next year at the New York Auto Show. And for those of you planning to buy a 2008 model, especially one with the 6.1-liter Hemi, say it with us now: residual value.

[Source: Inside Line]