Reader Spy: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and 2008 SRT8 show their faces!

Click image for a gallery of more spy shots

We owe much thanks to Autoblog reader Walter, who happened upon a stark naked Dodge Challenger R/T as it was being valet parked and sent us this perfect pic. Not only does it finally reveal the face of the new Challenger, to our knowledge it's also the first time anyone has seen an R/T model. The SRT8 model is the only one scheduled for the Challenger's initial production run in MY 2008, which makes this a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T.

So let's look at that face. The elimination of the crosshair treatment on the concept car's grille gives the Challenger about as retro a look as you could possibly get. As we saw in the teaser photos released earlier by Chrysler, a "Challenger" badge takes up the passenger side while the model designation badge, in this case a red "R/T," sits on the driver's side. The rest of the front end and hood appear to be exactly the same as what we originally saw when the concept was revealed in '06. The only new addition is the black chin spoiler present on this car. (In the new spy photos of the SRT8 model, we can also see a black rear deck spoiler.) Considering the throwback nature of the new Challenger, it would have been cool if Chrysler used the old script lettering for the name and the period-correct logo on the hood as well, but I guess you can't have everything. Musclecar fans, Mopar aficionados, and assorted other power freaks should still like what they see. Lord knows we do. Thanks, Walter!

UPDATE: Reports are coming in that a silver 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is also being spotted all over the place today, so we've acquired some of the best spy shots yet of that vehicle and assembled them in a gallery for you below.

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