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It’s finally official: the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Challenger continues the tradition started in 1970 with the launch of the Dodge Challenger, the last entrant in the pony car ranks of Detroit’s Big Three. The 2008 Challenger SRT8 is powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that delivers 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in lest than 5 seconds and the 0-100-0 mph in under 17 seconds. Dodge will offer the limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 in three colors: HEMI Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. Each two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe will be produced with a numbered dash plaque, carbon fiberlike hood stripes and will be powered by SRT’s 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 offers exterior styling cues that are unmistakably Dodge. Exterior proportions evoke a bold, instantly recognizable vehicle that has a wide, stable stance on the road. A full-width grille and fog lamps reminiscent of the original Challenger are married to the modern "Dodge attitude." The result is an aggressive face that is unmistakably a muscle car. The hood with a raised center, carbon fiberlike stripes and functional dual scoops stays true to the Challenger heritage, as does the A-line and beltline. The Challenger SRT8 front end incorporates numerous functional design features. Included are a fascia that directs air around the front of the vehicle, dual snorkel hood scoops that bring cooling air into the engine compartment and ducts that direct air to cool the brakes. Sales will begin this spring at a price of $37,995. More details, including full specifications after the jump. Get the Flash Player to see this player. The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger brings what pony car fanatics crave: ground shaking performance, unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger, world-class ride and handling characteristics and benchmark braking. On top of that it features a wide variety of modern amenities and technology designed to delight a new generation of driving enthusiasts. ---- HistoryAlthough the Dodge Challenger was the last entrant in the pony car ranks of Detroit’s Big Three, it arrived with something its competitors didn’t have: the greatest range of powertrain choices in the industry, from the small but durable 225-cubic-inch "Slant Six" to the fearsome "Elephant Motor" - the 426 HEMI®. 1970The Dodge Challenger made its debut in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model. While it shared Chrysler’s "E-body" short-deck, long-hood platform with the third-generation Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger’s wheelbase was two inches longer, creating more interior space.
Driveline choices for various engines included Chrysler’s TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a three- or four-speed manual which could be equipped with a Hurst "pistol-grip" shifter. Big-block Challengers could be ordered with a heavy-duty Dana 60 differential equipped with limited-slip differential. Befitting the brand’s performance heritage, the Dodge Challenger went racing in its first year. For the street, it was offered in the limited-edition T/A model to meet homologation requirements for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans Am racing. The T/A was one of the first production vehicles to offer different size tires, front and back; E60 x 15 in the front, G60 x 15 in the rear. 1971In 1971, designers made subtle styling changes to the Dodge Challenger, providing new treatments to the tail lamps and grille. The single tail lamp design from 1970 became two distinct lights for ’71, and a new-for-’71 twin-inlet Challenger grille was painted silver on standard models and black on R/Ts. Challenger R/T models also got a set of fiberglass quarter-panel louvers. An additional coupe model with fixed quarter windows was added to the lineup. As in 1970, a wide range of trim levels, exterior colors and striping options made the Dodge Challenger easy for customers to create a special car. However, for 1971, Dodge dropped the T/A (it was no longer racing in Trans Am), SE models and R/T convertible. 1972With escalating insurance rates and new EPA emissions mandates, more changes came to the Dodge Challenger in 1972. Also, SAE revised the Torque and Horsepower rating test from a "Gross" to a "Net" as installed in the cars. This reduced all ratings 20-30 percent, making them non-comparable to previous ratings. New front-end styling in 1972 featured a larger, "egg-crate" grille. It was painted argent for standard Challengers, and black on the Challenger Rallye performance model, which replaced the R/T. The Challenger’s tail lamp design included twin lights on each side, with the center panel painted the same color as the grille. The Rallye model was also equipped with four small scoops on the front fenders. 1973Beginning in 1973, the federal government mandated new bumper-impact standards that resulted in the only changes to the Dodge Challenger exterior - 5-mph bumpers equipped with large rubber guards that extended out from the bodywork. 1974With insurance rates for performance cars skyrocketing, more safety equipment led the short list of changes for the 1974 model-year Dodge Challengers. Inside, the lap and shoulder belts were equipped with an inertia reel. In addition, there was a federally mandated seatbelt-ignition interlock, which prevented the car from being started if the driver or passenger didn’t buckle up. 1978-1984Beginning in 1978 - the year the U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard took effect - Dodge offered a new Challenger two-door coupe imported from Mitsubishi. It was offered with a standard 1.6-liter, 77-horsepower I-4 engine, with a 2.6-liter, 105-horsepower four-cylinder as an option. ---- EngineeringThe all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the ultimate performance muscle coupe. The two-door, rear-wheel drive coupe is based on the successful Dodge Charger sedan platform. Sporting a 116-inch wheelbase, the Challenger coupe is four inches shorter than the Charger sedan. SuspensionBuilt on a unibody construction, the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features a multilink short and long arm (SLA) front suspension. The front suspension cradle combines hydroformed steel tube side rails with a stamped box section lateral member to provide the appropriate level of stiffness. The stiffness is tuned to avoid the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) into the passenger compartment. The multilink SLA suspension also provided SRT engineers the opportunity to tune bushing compliances for reduction in road noise, while maintaining vehicle dynamic handling performance. PowertrainThe 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8’s 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque is a result of SRT’s exclusive, proven 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®. Benchmark BrakingBenchmark braking, one of the pillars of SRT, is delivered via a specially designed system for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 that will slow and stop the car quickly, safely and predictably. Performance Targets
---- DesignThe all-new, five-passenger 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® captures the emotion of the original two-door, rear-wheel-drive Challenger, but with an updated twist. Interior 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 highlights include race-inspired leather seats with added bolstering and an exclusive orange accent stripe, exclusive stitched accents on the seats and steering wheel, four-bomb gauges with tachometer and 180 mph speedometer in the center, and an SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display (RCD) with Performances Pages that provide drivers instant feedback on 0-60 mph time, 60-0 mph braking, g-forces and ¼-mile time. ---- SafetyThe all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is loaded with safety and security features, including standard supplemental side-curtain air bags and advanced multistage front driver and passenger air bags. It also features a specially tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP), designed for the Challenger SRT8’s performance handling characteristics, all-speed traction control and brake assist.
---- SpecificationsDimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted. 5 comments: Dodge Challenger SRT8 challengerguy (6686) - Posted on 03.22.2008 why would you want a mustang over one of these? you must be a retard! challengers kick back in the 70’s and now.
sherlock31 (6686) - Posted on 02.20.2008 beast, just like the new mustang or the new camaro, i like that theyre finally coming back to american muscle, theyre also coming out with cars that just look weird which i also like its better than whats BEEN going on in the past 10-15 years, which is little rounded off heaps of trash, take a look at any jeep made between 1989 and 1999 and then look at the jeep gladiator or the jeep wrangler unlimited, or try looking at the superbus all this shows you is that were trying to be creative again, which is the best improvement we could make in the car designing process, instead of trying to save too much gas or get a family of 10 around.
Mustang crazy (6686) - Posted on 02.9.2008 I would prefer mustang rather den dis car.................
pdaix (422) Posted on 02.6.2008 that car looks really cool from the outside, but inside, it really Mr Schmoe car.. nothing in there feel sporty... really a waste ! It is one thing too look good, it needs to feel good inside !
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Full story Dodge Challenger
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