2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - '08 Challenger SRT8
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - '08 Challenger SRT8
http://images.hotrod.com/featuredveh...front_view.jpgThe '08 Challenger is available only as an SRT8. Of more than 6,000 buyers who've already signed up, over half chose Hemi Orange Pearl. The other two '08 colors are Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl and Bright Silver Metallic.>
This story actually began two years ago in snowy old Detroit at the '06 North American International Auto Show. Chrysler shoved its Challenger Concept out in front of the assembled mob at Cobo Hall and coyly asked, "Hey, think we ought to build some of these?" Needless to say, the crowd went mad for the new/old unit. Fast-forward to 2008 and here we are: The retro-futuristic Challenger is now going into production. Dodge dealers officially started taking deposits early in December, racking up over 4,300 confirmed orders on the first day.
Remember back when retro was the latest thing? In recent times the automakers have given us the New Beetle, the New Mini, the '05 Ford Mustang, the Ford GT. . . all efforts to hearken back to past glories while also prying some brand-new cash from buyers' wallets. Chrysler and Dodge have as much memorable motor history to call upon as anyone, so it's only right they would want a piece of that action too. In that regard the original Dodge Challenger is a natural, the perfect choice for vehicular retro-cloning. While the Challenger came to the ponycar/musclecar wars a little late in 1970, it was always regarded as one of the sharpest-looking of the bunch with its clean, distinctive lines. And with the optional 426 Street Hemi, it was one of the hairiest performers of the era, too. Clearly an encore was justified.
This new Challenger is built on what is known internally at Chrysler as the LC platform, a variation of the LX platform upon which the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum station wagon are based. And like its brothers, the Challenger will be produced exclusively at Chrysler's Bramalea Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, just west of Toronto. (The slow-selling Magnum was recently discontinued, no doubt in part to make room on the line for the Challenger.) Naturally, the two-door LC shares much of its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture and parts catalog with the four-door LX floorpan; the main difference is a 4-inch reduction in wheelbase from 120 to 116 inches. That's 6 inches longer than the original 110-inch Dodge E-body back in 1970. The new Challenger's front and rear track are identical to the four-doors at 63.0 inches front and 63.1 inches rear. So while the new Challenger is a ponycar, it's a plus-size.
Although the LC/LX floorpan is designed to accommodate a wide array of V-6 and V-8 drivetrains, the '08 Challenger will be available only as an SRT8 with a 6.1 Hemi. With 425 hp at 6,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, it's the same unit found in the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300C SRT8 models. It features an oversquare 103mm bore and 90.9mm stroke, a deep-skirted cast-iron block with cross-bolted main caps, aluminum heads with a 10.3:1 compression ratio, and Chrysler's contemporary rendition of hemispherical combustion chambers. And while it makes its power in a whole different way-with sequential EFI instead of dual Carter AFBs and with high-tech efficiency instead of brute torque-its power rating is identical to that of the original Chrysler Street Hemi: 425 hp, of course.
The Hemi is coupled with the usual W5A580 five-speed AutoStick gearbox, built at Chrysler's Kokomo, Indiana, transmission facility but originally designed by Chrysler's former owner, Mercedes-Benz. Word is that for the '09 model year, the latest Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual box, the same unit used in the '08 Viper, will be an option. A 5.7L Hemi V-8, a 3.5L V-6, and four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmissions reportedly will be available for 2009 as well. But these aren't official facts just yet; the formal announcement will be made soon.
All Challengers will have Chrysler's five-link independent rear suspension with antiroll bar, while the '08 SRT8 gets a limited-slip differential with 3.06:1 gears. Front suspension is short/long-arm with coilover gas-charged dampers. This is only a loose estimate we extracted from Chrysler program engineers using enhanced interrogation techniques, but curb weight for the Challenger in SRT8 spec is projected at 4,140 pounds. That means, we guess, that acceleration figures should be roughly in the same neighborhood as the slightly heavier four-door Charger: 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds, with quarter-miles in the low 13s at approximately 107 mph, give or take.
Michael Castiglione of Chrysler's Pacifica Studio designed the original Challenger Concept for the '06 Detroit Auto Show, with Allen Barrington performing the dash and interior. However, when it came time to turn the Concept into a real volume-production vehicle, Chrysler Design Manager Jeff Gale and Brian Nielander took the controls. Brian is responsible for the ME-412 and Chrysler Firepower concept vehicles, while Jeff was lead designer on the most recent Chrysler minivan lineup. Jeff is also the son of former Chrysler design chief Tom Gale, who coincidentally participated in the design of the original '70 Dodge Challenger.
Though it's difficult to spot when comparing the two cars, there are considerable differences between the Concept and the production Challenger. For one thing, the production car is 4 inches narrower. "We had to pull in the A-pillars 2 inches on both sides," says Jeff. A number of styling tricks were employed to create the classic long-hood/short-deck ponycar look on a contemporary floorpan: The front overhang was pushed out 2 inches, the windshield was raked back, and the lower thrust line was raised to pull the weight of the look upward.
While the '70 Challenger and the new one may be very different in proportion and detail, the goal was to capture and represent the true essence of the original. "We call it creating a 'mind's-eye view' of a 1970 Challenger," says Jeff. What was the greatest challenge of the job? "Aerodynamics" Jeff answers, a little surprisingly. "We worked very closely with our guys in the wind tunnel to make sure the car handles well. We spent a lot of time getting the balance and downforce right."
No, we didn't really get to drive the Challenger. We barely got to touch it. Due to our magazine's lead time, we were kindly given the opportunity to photograph and examine the SRT8 over two months before it was scheduled to be officially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February. The car was delivered to our Detroit photo studio via enclosed truck, in full camouflage and under cover of darkness, with a technician practically handcuffed to the door handle. Super nice guy, but a little jumpy-especially when we suggested stuff like smoky burnouts. But we'll be getting our hands on a new Challenger soon enough, and when we do we'll have the full report.
Photo Gallery: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - '08 Challenger SRT8 - Hot Rod Magazine
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