2008 Dodge Challenger

It was the early 70’s, and Dodge had almost let pony car bragging rights slip right past their tires when the Challenger finally arrived. While short lived, it made a permanent impression on the American muscle car scene. So much so, that a generation after it ruled the road, an encore is called for. The all-new and thoroughly modern 2008 Dodge Challenger. But after such a long hiatus, can it score a knockout again?

In the early 1970’s, no car said muscle car like the Dodge Challenger.  Now for 2008 and beyond, this motoring icon returns with a totally modern edge to its classic bloodline.

Base on a shortened Dodge Charger platform, the Challenger will be available in V6 SE, R/T, and HEMI SRT8 for 2009.

But, it is the big-bore 2008 SRT8, with all its classic proportions, that is the focus of every car enthusiast’s lust, and it’s here right now.

Available in black, silver, and of course, Hemi Orange, the Challenger SRT8 has a face etched in every muscle car lover’s brain. A deep chin and wide mouth grille flanked by four quaint round headlights.

The long-hood short-rear-deck pony-car profile is even beefier than before. It has the same step-up shoulder line, and it’s still decorated with a flip-style gas cap.

At the back, tail lights still run full width, although safety regs do make the bumper fascia chunkier than the original, and to top it off, a totally retro rear lip spoiler.

But owners of the original Challenger could only dream of these 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with fat ZR-rated tires: perfect for burn-outs.

And burn-out they will, thanks to the HEMI under the hood.  The SRT8’s 6.1-liter pushrod V8 rips out 425 horsepower and 420 pound feet of torque, which pushes it to 60 in 5 seconds, with a quarter-mile of 13.5 seconds at a blistering 108 miles-per-hour. That’s right up there with the 426 HEMI Challenger of old, but for the record, with government fuel economy ratings that are a low 13 city/18 highway on premium gas.

Putting that fuel to ground on the first SRT8s is a 5-speed Autostick with manual shift mode, but a 6-speed Tremec manual will follow shortly.

By then Challenger will be a full line. The mid-level R/T will pack a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with variable-valve-timing that puts out 370 horsepower, while the entry-level SE gets a 3.5-liter single-cam V6 that makes a still impressive 250 horsepower.

While we’ve been drooling over the prospects of this street racer for almost three years, it was at California’s famous Willow Springs Race Track where we first got a chance to see if the Challenger is ready to fight. 

As expected, today’s unitized chassis, with its all-independent front short-long-arm and rear 5-link coil suspension, is a huge upgrade over the 70s-era body-on-frame, solid-axle, rear leaf spring setup.

Aided by Electronic Stability Control, All-Speed Traction Control, and a limited slip differential, the Challenger SRT8 is super-sticky and predictable.

Turn ins exhibit a touch of under steer with a tight feel. The car is heavy but the steering is quick.

The SRT8’s slotted Brembo brakes bite hard, with a firm pedal and great feel.

The 6.1 HEMI has tons of torque and a classic V8 rumble, as the Autostick responds with quick, sharp shifts.

And here’s the capper, driving the SRT8 in the real world also impresses. Dodge engineers did a great job of quelling noise and vibration.

But while the SRT8’s cockpit is quieter than the original, it retains a true vintage look, only better. Build quality is very 21st century, with some of the best fit and finish we’ve yet seen in a Detroit product: a classic four dial gauge cluster and big steering wheel face, and highly bolstered SRT8 sport seats with grippy ultra-suede upholstery.

And retro or not, you can still have modern must-haves, like a music hard drive, and performance computer, just to name two.

The rear seat is typically coupe tight, but it does split 60/40 to expand the trunk’s already sizeable 16.2 cubic-feet of cargo space.

Not surprisingly, all of the 6,400 ‘08 cars are already spoken for. But if you just gotta have one, many are up for grabs on the Internet for up to double the original $37,995 list price.

Fortunately, 2009 models will be much more affordable, with SE prices starting in the low $20,000s.

With so much to offer the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is much more than just a return to the glory days of old. It’s an all new chapter in the America muscle car story; one that’s sure to have a very happy, very smoky, ending.