First Drive: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

The Hemi Orange Challenger SRT8 on these pages isn't the concept that bowed a little more than two years ago at the Detroit auto show. It's the real deal. While they may look similar at first glance, the car has been productionized and differs in myriad details, although the concept's purpose came through loud and clear on its way to the showroom. Architecturally, it's a Dodge Charger that's been shortened four inches between the wheels. There's more front and less rear overhang in order to achieve the musclecar-appropriate long-hood/short-deck proportions. The most noticeable change has been that the concept's split grille has given way to an undivided grille treatment. A lot of aero work was required by the SRT team to get the car balanced enough for their trademark 150-mph lane change, including a small lip spoiler out back, plus a splitter and two small dive-plane winglets up front, the latter (not shown here) resembling those on a 1970 Challenger T/A. While everything has changed, the result is true to designer Mike Castiglione's 2006 concept and isn't shy at all about its direct, heritage-inspired connection to the original of 1970-1974.

Contrary to the norm, the SRT version is the first model to hit the streets, instead of coming out six to 18 months after mainstream variants. Not more than 10,000 of these 2008-and-change versions will be built, and all will be powered by the familiar and bloody wonderful 6.1-liter Hemi. It's the same as in SRT versions of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, as is the five-speed automatic transmission, the only gearbox offered at launch. Dodge is mum about future model and powertrain offerings, but if you look at what else can be had in the sedans, it's not unreasonable to figure out. Expect a base version running the 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and a midlevel (likely badged R/T) Challenger packing the 5.7-liter, 350-horse Hemi. One if not both of the V-8s will be offered with a manual transmission.

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TauronB2G - 2/6/2008 3:03:36 PM

-1 Boost

For some reason I thought it'd be faster. 5.2 seconds is hardly slow. But the article says its in the same range as the 300 hp Mustang. I'll bet it looks great in candy apple red though.
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Threepoint1415926 - 2/6/2008 11:04:42 PM

+1 Boost

Plum Crazy on White is where it's at! Hope they offer it.

skinny - 2/6/2008 3:14:11 PM

0 Boost

Just went to the Philly auto show. Not one of the more recent Chyrsler products had a appealing interior. The only one that looked decent was the CHyrsler 300, Dodge Charger. Otherwise everything was overly plasticky(and hard at that) and blandly styled. This car, the Challenger, deserves a better interior to go with it's nicely done retro interior. A total letdown. The bland and banal interior just ruins the whole car.

vdiv - 2/7/2008 7:55:33 PM

-1 Boost

I agree, a beautiful, awe-inspiring exterior is shatered by an interior that belongs in a Neon. I think the Mustang has a better interior, and that is not saying much.

mini22 - 2/6/2008 3:33:37 PM

-1 Boost

Photos from the Chicago show seem to show off the interior better. Still it's almost 7 grand more then a Bullit and weighs 600 LBS more(4100).So any HP advantage is nil. As for handling I'm sure over rough bumpy surfaces it will not hop like a Mustang. However under smooth conditions the Mustang is probably more agile. Also until 2009 you can't get a manual tranny. It would be interesting to see how a 6 speed RT with 340HP would perform. I'm guessing it would be a couple of hundred LBS lighter then the SRT8.

PlanB - 2/6/2008 4:43:29 PM

+1 Boost

I liked the LED tailights on the concept better. I do like the seats but that dash treatment is very, very plain. But I guess its still a huge improvement if compared to the previous Challenger from 40 years ago.

EL34 - 2/6/2008 11:03:44 PM

+1 Boost

Dashboards in the 1960's were plain and this is a reissue.

mini22 - 2/6/2008 5:28:41 PM

-1 Boost

It's just at 40 grand you're looking for a bit more flair in the cabin. In essence this is nothing more then a rebodied Charger with 2 doors. It performs and handles the same. When you compare the interior it has a similar dash to the Charger as well. It has a slightly louder exhaust note and they have softened the suspension set up slightly from the Charger.I like the body style but it doesn't have enough flash or flair to make me choose it over a Mustang.I guess If I needed more room it has some practical advantages. But if the SRT8 performs no better then a Mustang GT then the RT has got to perform worse.The one advantage the Challenger has over the Mustang is IRS. But even that may not come into play very often. In spite of the fact that it's on a shorter wheelbase it's no lighter then the 300 or Charger and it probably handles no better.So the you're paying extra for the 2dr body style-that's it.Of course it's a modern muscle car so you accept it's lack of sophistication.The exterior pulls me in.Unfortunately the interior doesn't seal the deal.

bmwfan1513 - 2/6/2008 6:01:17 PM

+1 Boost

I like it.

FerrarisR4me - 2/6/2008 8:13:15 PM

-1 Boost

So here I was about to fire up a rant about how you can't judge an interior by picutres and none of have even sat in it and what not. And then I saw the pictures... yea that's not really awe-inspiring. Pretty disappointing which is surprising given the rest of the car (but not so much given their history). Ehhh, well at least some American manufacturers are learning.

rscaffidi - 2/6/2008 9:02:30 PM

0 Boost

Its a shame to cripple such a nice exterior treatment with such a ho-hum and boorrrring interior.....word to Dodge: if you're gonna make me pay almost 40 grand for your version of rerto muscle..at least come close to what the mudtang dose (and the camaro will) offer in terms of an overall package...

rscaffidi - 2/6/2008 9:07:24 PM

-1 Boost

wow, sorry guys and gals....lots of typos in that last comment.......i meant "retro", "mustang", and "does"....lol

Nagooya - 2/6/2008 10:53:08 PM

-1 Boost

The interior is too gray, too plastic... however, the exterior is FEROCIOUS! ( in a good way of course!)

TauronB2G - 2/6/2008 11:56:12 PM

-2 Boost

A 335 will smoke it...
I don't really care. I just wanted to beat the fanboys to it. LOL
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Porschinator - 2/7/2008 4:23:21 PM

-1 Boost

All good but the weight. A remanant from the MB engineers and 300 Chassis. Would have been so much better at 3500lbs. Will look foward to Camaro.

Schwitz916 - 2/8/2008 9:33:19 AM

+2 Boost

It's the engine that you're paying for. I have a Jeep SRT8 so I know what this 6.1L hemi V8 can do. It is a bargain at 40G compared to what you would have to pay for the same performance and engine from an import. If the interior was incredible this car would be 60G. No Mustang or new Camaro will be able to compete with the SRT8. Just drive it and you won't care as much about the interior. This is a car you turn down the radio so you can hear the engine roar as you go through the gears!!!!

mini22 - 2/8/2008 10:37:44 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder what the RT with a manual tranny will weigh. I'm guessing it should save 150LB of weight.Also it should handle better because of the less weight over the front wheels. The SXT should be lighter still with it's 3.5 V6.