The Dodge Challenger has come into the world in three completely different generations. The first generation Challenger was a pony car produced from 1970-1974 and the second generation ranged from 1978-1983 and was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, current generation came about in 2008 and was produced to compete against the Mustang and the Camaro, two muscle cars that had outlived the pony car era.
The current generation Challenger is built on the Charger/Chrysler 300C platform and features rear-wheel drive and an independent rear suspension. It is powered by a choice of three engines: a 3.5L V6 that produces 250HP and 250 lb-ft of torque, a 5.7L V8 delivering 372HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, and the top-of-the-line 6.1L V8 producing 425HP and 420 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual pr 5-speed automatic transmission.
Anybody who’s ever been to SEMA will tell you that a year wouldn’t be complete without seeing a plethora of tricked-out muscle cars. Whether it’s on the showroom floor or outside the parking lot, there’s never been a shortage of Camaros, Mustangs, and Challengers dressed to impress anybody who walks by them.
This particular Challenger, which was worked on by Radiatnz Inc., certainly defies logical explanation although seeing as this is SEMA, we wouldn’t expect anything less.
While the vinyl roof-top complements the purple exterior paint, we don’t really get how it goes with all the chrome, including the bumpers and the rims that was added on in the Challenger. Then, there’s the red headlights, which, quite frankly, looks like the eyes of a blood-shot machine. From a usefulness standpoint, we don’t even know how that’s going to work out on the road.
Nonetheless, this is what we signed up for with SEMA. You may not always see cars that appeal to your taste, but you definitely will leave the show with many things to talk about.
After Mopar announced its line-up for SEMA Show, Chrysler has also revealed the official detail on the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 that will also be presented in Las Vegas. it will be offered in two versions: standard and Inaugural Edition, last limited to 1,492 units. It will go on sale at a price of $42,555.
For the exterior Dodge is offering two colors and new full-body stripe combination including Deep Water Blue with standard Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with standard Viper Blue stripes and 20-inch SRT-exclusive wheels. There will also be "392 HEMI" badges, Mopar quad exhaust tips, a larger front splitter and integrated front fender, a newly modified front fascia chin spoiler and rear decklid spoiler. The interior will offer standard Smooth Pearl White leather-trimmed seats and dual blue stripes accented by unique blue stitching and serialized “Inaugural Edition 392 HEMI” dash plaque.
Under the hood Dodge placed the legendary 392-cubic inch HEMI V8 powertrain with 470 HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque.
Updated 11/02/2010: Dodge has revealed new images and performance numbers for the Challenger SRT8 392 that made its debut today at the SEMA Show. The muscle car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in the high 4-second range and quarter-mile elapsed time in the high 12s. Top speed has been increased to more than 180 mph with the manual transmission (173 mph in the automatic). Check out the gallery to see all the new images!
UPDATE 04/03/11: Now this comes a surprise, even for us. The Dodge Challenger SRT8 Inaugural Edition, tuned by no other than Geiger Motors, is making its way to Germany. Yeah, the land of exotic and luxury cars will be welcoming some serious American muscle to the Autobahn. There’s no official word yet on how many models of this special edition Challenger will be headed to Germany - there are only 1,492 available models - but if you live in that part of the world, be advised that the car is going to be sold at a price of €55,000, which is about $77,800 based on current exchange rates.
The SEMA show is always a time to show off what you can do, and Chrysler is leading this way at this year’s event. In Las Vegas, Dodge and Mopar will be unveiling the Challenger 392, which packs a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. In addition to that Challenger, the Drag Pak V10 will be shown. If you thought 470 horses was over the top, wait till you see this bad boy. The car will come with a V10 from the Viper, a two-speed transmission, roll cage, fuel cell and unique gauge cluster.
On top of the Challenger models, Dodge will also be showing the 2011 Red Line Charger concept. This vehicle will feature 22-inch wheels and a few unique body upgrades to give the car a bit more attitude. The automaker will also be bringing the new 2011 Durango, but in a unique flavor called the Black and Tan. No, this isn’t Bass Ale mixed with Guinness - for those dark beer lovers -, it’s simply a Durango with a custom interior and a wheel package.
Finally, Fiat will be bringing a Mopar designed 500 concept. The vehicle will feature flared fenders, 18-inch wheels and a special interior treatment.
Overall, Chrysler says that they will have 35 different vehicles at the SEMA show.
The 2011 Dodge Challenger and 12 other models in Chrysler’s line-up will be getting some changes made under the hood as the new Pentastar V-6 engine finds its way into the lineup. The most advanced six cylinder engine ever produced by Chrysler Powertrain group is expected to "account for more than a third of the powertrains in the vehicle line-up and substantially contribute to an overall corporate fuel efficiency improvement of more than 25 percent" by 2014.
The new V6 engine produces 305 HP at 6350 rpm - representing a 55 HP increase over the previous 3.5-liter V-6. Torque also is noticeably up with the V-6 rated at 268 lb.ft. @ 4800 rpm.
"The Pentastar engine is suited to meet the requirements for a full range of vehicle applications in terms of power and fuel efficiency including passenger cars, mini-vans and sport utilities," explained Bob Lee, vice president of engine engineering for Chrysler Group LLC. "It has been designed for today and many years to come. Already, we are looking forward to adapting future technologies as they become available to the Pentastar V-6 for even more fuel efficiency and performance."
Anyone who loves a finely tuned automobile should be in attendance at the upcoming SEMA Show. This particular show creates a tuning atmosphere that can be appreciated by just about anyone, but can be truly heavenly to the avid enthusiasts that look for ways to enhance a car’s styling, functionality, comfort, convenience, and safety. I may be difficult to choose a crowd favorite amidst the growing number of improved models, but one vehicle may just be our favorite so far. Meet the special Dodge Challenger SRT8 customized by CULT Energy Drink.
A feast for the eyes, this Challenger looks the part of an aggressively mean car prepared to take out anyone that may get in its way. One of the only details we know about the car is that it features a one-off, hand-fabricated wide body kit that provides some extra girth to the already masculine car. It also does not run on racing fuel.
We can’t imagine that a car that looks like this doesn’t carry an equally insane motor to push out astronomical power. It is rumored that this Challenger is carrying a 5.7L V8 HEMI with its intake manifold, clearly, popping out of the car’s hood. To say that we are excited to see the Cult’s newest project at this year’s SEMA show is as much of an understatement as we can possibly muster. This car is simply badass and it’s one that could be perfectly suited for a next generation Mad Max!
Mopar has unveiled today the 2011 V-10 Challenger Drag Pak, before the official debut set to be made at SEMA Show. The Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak is priced at $85,512 and comes with three options: Competition Package priced at $7,950, a Mopar logo body wrap priced at $950 and a range of body colors priced at $6,800.
It comes equipped with an 8.4-liter 512 cubic-inch engine with a 2-speed automatic transmission. Based on the 2011 Dodge Challenger and finished in a Stock Eliminator and Super Stock configuration, the 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak is the first and only 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car. The car features competition wheels and tires, a Mopar solid rear axle with performance gear ratio, a 2-speed drag race transmission with integrated roll control, a complete competition fuel system with fuel cell, and a complete interior with gauge package.
In this current economic and environmental situation, the new 2010 Dodge Challenger is like building a mansion for a banker in the middle of downtown Detroit. Not only isn’t it the best place to live, but it might be a bit inappropriate to the underprivileged of the city. Building a car that manages to get 13 miles per gallon and uses a motor the size of a tug boat seems a tad off in today’s green age.
That being said, they’re not the only ones who are going all out to kill more endangered animals in the arctic. Ford has the Mustang - although their new V6 gets 31 miles per gallon - and Chevrolet has the new Camaro SS, both aren’t exactly green.
During the Challenger’s first year, Chrysler was on the ropes and was looking down the barrel of demise. With Fiat taking control of the helm, the company seems to headed in the right direction, but let’s not forget that this muscle car was created during darker days.
While everyone is waiting for the 2011 Dodge Challenger, today the company decided to reveal the first details on a special-edition Mopar version for the muscle car. The new Mopar 2010 Dodge Challenger, arrives in Dodge dealerships next month and is priced at $38,000 for an automatic transmission and $39,000 for a manual transmission
Based on a Challenger R/T model, the Mopar version is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine and features a hood-venting system that adds to the mean look of the vehicle like a flaring nostril on a raging bull. Additionally the Mopar Challenger gets a cold-air intake, a front strut-tower brace with shock caps, and a unique engine cover.
Just off of a first glance alone, this Challenger looks very serious. The 20" forged heritage gloss-black wheels are a perfect partner for the Brilliant Black exterior color with contrasting Mopar Blue, Red, or Silver. On the exterior it will be distinguished by a black-chromed grille surround, a functional, vented T/A-style hood with vintage hood pins, and Mopar logos and graphics. On the interior it gets Katzkin leather seating, custom leather-wrapped steering wheel with baseball-style stitching, Mopar shift handles (T-handle for automatics, Pistol Grip for manuals), a serialized dash plaque with Mopar ’10 logo, and Mopar branding throughout.
UPDATE 07/09/2010: Dodge has release a video narrated by Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of the Mopar brand, Mark Trostle, Chief of the Dodge’s Exterior Design department, and Dan Zimmermann, Head of Dodge Interior Design and Mopar Interiors as they guide you through all of the changes this muscle car undertook to get to the "sinister" look that Dodge and Mopar intended for this special edition. Check it out after the jump!
UPDATE 07/24/2010: Dodge has released a few pictures of the 2010 Dodge Mopar Challenger! Check them out in the picture gallery provided!
The 2010 Mopar Challenger will make its debut on July 23rd - 25th at the 31st Annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. "We’re looking forward to bringing Mopar Nation to Thunder Mountain," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC. "This is a premier stop on the NHRA circuit and a great place to showcase the Mopar brand and reveal our new Mopar ’10 Challenger."
The Mopar ’10 Challenger is powered by a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 engine and features an unique black chrome finish for the grille surround and Brilliant Black paint. The car will compete on a 5,800 feet drag strip in the Rocky Mountains.
The Mopar ’10 Challenger won;t be the only vehicle on display for Mopar. Other vehicles primed to show off are the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty, a "Moparized" Dodge Challenger, Mopar Ram Runner, and the Mopar Direct Connection Test Lab Vehicle. The last vehicle is a Dodge Challenger converted into a performance parts development "mule."
Well, it’s that time of your life. You know the time when you just turned 40 years old. Your family is in full swing and maybe your children are off to college or just about to finish up high school. Your job is okay, but nothing excites you much anymore and life is just plain dull.
Like most people, when the mid-life crisis stage sets in the only thing that every man needs is to have a fast car that makes him feel excited and young again. The question now becomes what car to buy?
The obvious choice is a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, or an Aston Martin. Nothing says youth like a DB9 or a 458 Italia. Let’s be honest with ourselves though, not many people can afford a car like that, especially with a family. We need to find something for under $100,000 that is fast, looks good, and isn’t on two wheels.
These are the top five mid-life crisis cars on the market today in the United States. Check them out after the jump.