Challenger Smack Talk: Chrysler takes shots at Mustang, Porsche and BMW

Challenger Smack Talk: Chrysler takes shots at Mustang, Porsche and BMW
Should we? Yes, I think we should definitely file this under our Funny Friday for today. Don’t get us wrong, we’re really impressed with the Dodge Challenger SRT8; it’s a great car. With power coming from a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 producing 425hp giving it the ability to do 0-60 in the low 5 second range, who wouldn’t be impressed by this retro muscle car.

But we can’t get enough of basic auto makers comparing themselves to ultimate luxuries like Porsche or BMW, or even classic cars like the Ford Mustang.

“We’d rather run like a thoroughbred than ride like a pony,” Frank Klegon, Chrysler vice president of product development, said at the unveiling of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, taking a cheap shot at the Ford Mustang.

He also pointed out that the Challenger SRT8 has a top speed of 170mph, which is faster than...
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PorschinatorPorschinator - 2/8/2008 4:39:10 PM
+3 Boost
Hmmm...They may be bitting off more than they can chew. Comparing the Challenger to a Porsche or BMW is the wrong way to go.

I hate when people say a car is better than another car just because it has more torque or HP or a bigger steering wheel..lol..come on! I am sure it will be fun but no way in hell they can compare it to a 997 Turbo or even a 335i.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 2/8/2008 5:11:30 PM
+2 Boost
Comparing this to a 911 or a BMW is just wrong... They should stick to trying to keep the company afloat rather than picking on two very profitable and success companies in BMW and Porsche. This is not even news worthy.

I've seen Mack trucks with more Torque than a 911 Turbo. whats the point? haha...


bmwfan1513bmwfan1513 - 2/8/2008 5:25:30 PM
-2 Boost
There are a lot of nice cars coming out and this is one of them.


mini22mini22 - 2/8/2008 7:08:08 PM
0 Boost
This is nothing more then marketing hype.The theory is that it will appeal to the non-enthusiast or mildly knowledgable enthusiast.


lyonboylyonboy - 2/8/2008 7:28:49 PM
-1 Boost
The Challenger is a joke. Chrysler should concentrate on core products.


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 2/8/2008 7:34:37 PM
+3 Boost
Thats stupid. The M5 will top 200 its just limited to 155. the M5 would slaughter this car, though they are not even in the same class. just like the solstice gxp says its faster than a Z4 yeah take your fastest model and compare it to the slowest version of the Z4 but every other Z4 will spank the Solstice. Whats sad is there are probably thousands of people that think their Solstice is actually faster than a Z4. lmao. We are so stupid to fall for such gimmicks and advertisement. were dumb enough to buy alot of domestic crap even though they give America their crappiest cars and give everyone else their best, and people actually have the nerve to say they wouldnt sell out on America and buy Foreign. Why not. America sold out on you by cutting corners and giving you outdated and inferior products and giving all the other foregn nations their best. Whos selling out on Who? I would like to buy American but why?


writerwriter - 2/8/2008 8:02:32 PM
-3 Boost
There's nothing wrong with Chrysler saying that their new Challenger is faster than the M5.

After all, that's true.

However, I believe the 911 Turbo has 505 lb. ft. of torque while the Challenger has 420 lb. ft.


validus00validus00 - 2/8/2008 8:58:51 PM
+2 Boost
i doubt the challenger with 425hp is faster than the 507hp m5.

it's true only if they prove that it is true.

the 911 does have more torque than this car, and since the second isn't true, i wouldn't believe that the first is true.


EL34EL34 - 2/8/2008 8:57:19 PM
+1 Boost
I like this Dodge and it's retro look.

More retro than the Camaro ;-)


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 2/8/2008 9:58:51 PM
-2 Boost
I dont get why people get SO worked up when a car company takes shots at another one. I remember pages and pages of outrage on the RX7 board when Mitsu made the Eclipse ad where the RX7 (and others) bowed down to it. Some people really need to lighten up.

As for Chrysler taking shots at the Mustang, they were referencing its old-fashioned solid axle, which is a turn off for a lot of people. And the BMW and Porsche comments are facts; if it actually does have a higher top speed than the M5, and has more torque than the 911, what's to be upset about? They didn't say their car was better, they're just pointing out critical (to some) stats.


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 2/9/2008 1:09:04 AM
+3 Boost
no it doesnt have a higher top speed, the M5 is just electronicly limited so I will say its partially true. The M5 has been to 200mph with the limiter off.


mini22mini22 - 2/8/2008 10:27:21 PM
+1 Boost
Wel factually they should be correct.Saying that it has more torque then the 911 Turbo is not correct.The 911 turbo even without it's overboost feature in fact has more torque then the Challenger. Of course Dodge could argue that it might have more torque at 2000 RPM then the Porsche and they might be right. But really all this is parcing words for marketing hype. Any knowledable auto enthusiast will see right through this anyway.But if it sells them more cars all the power to them. Look the Challenger is a retro styled muscle car with fairly modern up to date mechanicals.It performs and handles reasonably well for it's size and for it's price.The interior is a bit of a let down.If they ever decide to do a manual tranny I would consider the RT Hemi. At least with it's cylinder deactivation technology I would get better gas mileage and would save a few thousand bucks for .5 second delay in the 0-60.(I'm predicting 5.5-5.7 seconds 0-60 with the 340 HP Hemi with a 6 speed manual)


t_bonet_bone - 2/9/2008 9:46:37 AM
+3 Boost
Isn't this just in keeping with tradition? Historically you can buy either power or refinement, or you can pay double and get both in the same vehicle--a high-end Porsche or Ferrari.

Personally I'll pick refinement, and that's looking like a better choice anyway in these days of $3.40 gasoline.

This is a very cool looking car, though. We need these kind of vehicles to entice people out of SUV's with 22" wheels, so I'm all for it.


2ndbimmer2ndbimmer - 2/9/2008 10:41:33 AM
+3 Boost
my 335i sedan is faster. It does 0-60 in the high 4's and this does 0-60 in the low 5's. THe M5 will spank my 335i, therefore, the challenger is NOT faster than an M5. morons...


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2008 6:24:08 PM
0 Boost
Although I agree with you, 0-60 (acceleration) is not the same as top speed (or how fast the car is). Word choice is key.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 2/11/2008 5:47:28 PM
+1 Boost
true, but the M5 is also capable of 200+mph. I'm not sure that this car can say the same...


mini22mini22 - 2/9/2008 11:57:21 AM
+3 Boost
But part of enjoying a car is not about factsa and figures. It's about the joy of getting there.It's about how it feels.Muscle cars are not necessesarily the fastest or best handling.But it's the experience that makes it different then a 335I. It's not somthing that appeals to everbody.I think if all you look at for a car is what it does to 0-60 and a 200 ft diameter skid pad your losing the point.


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