The American muscle car convertible is a must-have. It’s an American institution, that it now seems Chrysler had no intention of ever bringing back. Any plans for a Dodge Challenger convertible were killed early. "We considered a convertible when we were developing Challenger, but the extra weight needed to beef up the car when the top was removed was too much of a penalty,” said Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge brand marketing. “And that was with a manual soft-top. A power-retractable hardtop would add even more weight. We didn’t see a huge market for a convertible that would justify the vehicle."
Shame on you Chrysler for denying us the pleasure of driving through the desert with the top down doing 100 mph while the random hot-but-probably-crazy girl next to us sticks her head over the windshield and yells “woo-hoo!” After all, without the convertible how else would she have been able to jump into our car at a stoplight while running from her aggressive father/boyfriend/pimp.
The latest company created by Steve Saleen is the SMS Limited and in order to celebrate its debut on the market, two new models were born: the SMS 570 and 570X, both based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger. The new vehicles will feature the patented SMS Red Butterfly Induction hood and new performance components such as drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
Under the hood both of the cars will have installed the SMS 296 Supercharger which with the 5.7-liter Hemi will be capable to deliver between 500 to 700 hp. The price of the vehicles will start from $60,000 for the SMS 570 and from $70,000 for the SMS 570X.
Steve Saleen announced today pricing on the street legal SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger, models based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T platform. The MSRP’s for the 2009 SMS 570 Challenger and SMS 570X Challenger are targeted to start at $60,000 to $70,000 respectively with production commencing in 2008.
Both models will feature a SMS designed and engineered SMS 296 Supercharger bolted to a 5.7L Hemi, with power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower.
This November’s SEMA show will have a hot new edition. The 2009 HURST/HEMI Challenger will first be unveiled at the Las Vegas show, with production to begin in early 2009.
The limited edition Challenger SRT8 will have an output of 500+ HP. It will be available in four Stages of performance trim through participating Dodge dealerships. The details are iconic and impressive; the huge polished five-spoke HURST alloy wheels and the “Pistol-Grip” HURST shifter are inspired by the originals that helped make HURST the legendary brand that it is today.
It looks like the new Dodge Challenger will be a good exercise for the tuning houses. After it received a turbo package from Hennessey, the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 received some attention from another tuner, Platinum Motorsport. The vehicle features a new set of black AGETRO S250 alloy wheels with 20-inch diameter in the front and 22-inch on the rear.
With these new black wheels and a black exterior, this looks like what should have been the new Knight Rider!
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the fastest Challenger available, but it seems this didn’t impress the guys from Hennessey Performance Engineering. Although it packs 425 hp, Hennessey thought that the car needed more power. With the help of some new components, they obtained and astonishing 620 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
Everything is made possible by the new HPE600 Turbo package, which contains a high-flow ported & polished aluminum cylinder heads, lowered compression ratio, high flow air filter, upgraded fuel pump system, a front mounted air-to-air intercooler and a new stainless-steel 3-inch diameter dual exhaust system. In the interior Henessey added embroidered floor mats, serial numbered dash plaque in interior and engine compartment, embroidered front seat head rests, HPE600 logo on tachometer and speedometer. On the exterior there are Hennessey and HPE600 badges and HPE600 “Hockey Stick” graphics package. Everything at a price of $29,500. Without a donor car, a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with the complete HPE600 Turbo upgrade starts at $74,950.
Mopar unveiled two Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals this week-end.
The car is based on the Challenger SRT8, but Mopar dropped approximately 1,000 lbs. off the production Challenger SRT8 by eliminating major production components and systems. To accentuate the weight savings, they also feature added composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components designed for drag racing that will be part of the new Package Car program.
The engine was repositioned to improve driveline angle and weight distribution. The 116-inch wheelbase was shortened by ½ inch. They also feature a front cradle with bolt-in crossmember and solid engine mounts.
Mopar confirmed today that they will unveil the new Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Car at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. on Sunday, July 13.
The Drag Race package will feature separate paint schemes and is build on the heritage of the 1968 HEMI®-powered Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas.
Based on the Challenger SRT8, Mopar’s modern, factory-prepped Challenger Drag Race Package Car will begin with a special Body-in-White (BIW) from Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant. It has been updated for modern racing conditions. Special weight-reduction modifications were made by eliminating unnecessary components and systems. To accentuate the weight savings, it will also feature added composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components designed for drag racing. The engine was repositioned and the wheelbase was shortened to improve the driveline angle/clearance and weight distribution.
Dodge is offering an official brochure for its 2009 Challenger. And even if you won’t find out as much as from the pres release, the brochure offers pretty good stuff.
For example, you will learn that the R/T Classic is being offered with a coat of B5 Blue, 20" torq-thrust lookalikes, T/A-style stripes, and the old-school script Challenger badge on the front fender.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger will get even more power. With the help of a supercharger from Mopar. The updated vehicle will be unveiled in November at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
With 2 stages of modification, the power of the 6.1-liter Hemi V8’s engine will grow from 425 hp to 630 hp.
Along with the blower, the ’09 Challenger will get the typical SEMA treatment: a cold-air intake, a high-flow cat-back exhaust system and, of course, a few different sets of rims.
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