Dodge Challenger: Retro Pony Car

Motoring Channel Staff - 7/February/2008

Michigan, America — One of the most anticipated new American cars of 2008 has been officially launched.

Basking in the hot glow of the '08 Chicago Motor Show spot lights, the newest addition to the reborn Pony car club will give the Ford Mustang a thing or two to ponder.

The Dodge Challenger is the latest in a series of serious American muscle cars to captivate American car buyers, building on the original Challenger first sold in 1970, which was one of the last 'Pony' cars of its era.

Range-topping SRT8 models will be first off the production line, powered by 6.1-litre V8 engines that outputs 317kW (425hp) @ 6000rpm. 

Torque is an neck-snapping 569Nm @ 4600rpm, which gives the vehicle a zero to 96km/h (0-60mph) sprint time of 4.9 seconds.

The Challenger SRT8 is powered by the same Hemi V8s that are used in the Chrysler 300C SRT8 that is sold in Australia for about $72,000, which should give it enough power to play ball with the V8 Ford Mustangs.

Challenger SRT8 models will be available only with 5-speed automatic transmissions, and because the vehicles are well-equipped only a few options are offered.

These include the MyGig Multimedia Infotainment and sat nav system for $890 and a power sunroof for $950. The SRT8 will also be hit with a $2,100 fuel efficiency tax in the States.

Other performance figures are equally impressive, cementing the new Dodge Challenger as a true performance car. 

It will complete the zero to 160km/h to zero again in less than 17 seconds, and Dodge is also quoting a ¼-mile time of 13.3 seconds. Very rapid.

After Dodge has launched the Challenger SRT8 model, the American car maker will release the full range later in 2008, which will comprise 3.5-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 models, later in the year.

The new 2008 model could be considered the third generation Challenger and with retro styling not unlike the new Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, it cuts a bold figure.

With it's tough Pony car styling - the solid body, the power bulge and hood scoops, the rising rear haunches, 20-inch alloy wheels - the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is expected to be a highly popular performance car in the States, despite it's relatively dear US$37,995 price tag.

The very first 2008 Challenger SRT8 was recently auctioned for US$400,000.

The new design stays close to the Challenger concept car that stole the show at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show. The design brief was simple - the new Challenger had to be:

Distinctly American
Pure, minimal, signature lines
Have mega horsepower
Aggressive air-grabbing grille
Bold colours and graphics

"We used the original Challenger as an inspiration for many of the features found on the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8," said Jeff Gale, the lead designer on the project. 

"The side mirrors actually started with a mould from the mirrors of an original Challenger," revealed Gale. 

"We tweaked a few details for fit and finish, then put them through our modern aerodynamic testing metrics and ended up with a body-mounted mirror that is remarkably similar visually to the original, but offers significantly better aerodynamic performance," he said.

The tough-looking rear-wheel drive sports coupe will be available in three colours (black, silver, or orange) and all models come with carbon fibre racing stripes.

The first 5,000 models are all expected to be range-topping SRT8 models. 

It is rumoured that Dodge will only sell a total 6,400 SRT8 model in 2008, to keep the vehicle exclusive.

An America-only model at this stage, the Challenger has had a warm reception from the US motoring media. 

The design has been roundly praised, though there have been question marks placed on the interior design, which looks like any other Chrysler or Dodge vehicle.

Dodge is also expected to develop a convertible Challenger model.

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