Photo gallery: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (all of it, this time)
There's lots going on at the Chicago Auto Show, but the car most of us are most anxious to see is the production version of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 -- so here it is (all of it, not just teaser shots). As expected, the production car looks a lot like the Challenger concept we've been looking at for a couple of years -- for which I am very grateful. Chrysler also revealed a bunch of technical tidbits about the Challenger SRT8:
- 6.1 liter HEMI V8 engine, 425 hp, 420 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, 13.3 second quarter mile, top speed 170 MPH
- 4-piston Brembo ABS brakes at all four wheels; 60-0 in about 110 feet
- Electronic stability control and side airbags standard
- 5-link independent rear suspension
- Base price $37,995
- On sale Spring 2008
ANALYSIS: Okay, I know I haven't had a lot of nice things to say about Chrysler products recently, but frankly I don't see how this one can possibly go wrong. It's design stays true to the original Challenger. It's got the same engine and rides the same platform as the Dodge Charger SRT8, which is one hell of a muscle car. According to Chrysler, it's even faster than the 1970 Hemi Challenger. About the only bummer is the lack of a manual transmission. And the inner "headlights" are actually the directional signals, which looks a bit dorky. Still, I think the 2008 Dodge Challenger is going to be the winner that Chrysler so desperately needs. -- Aaron Gold
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 photo gallery
Photo © Chrysler
Really accurate styling, but it just looks like they tried stretching the skin of a ‘70 Challenger over the frame of a new Charger…you know, like a bikini on a hippo. Giant slab slides and short window proportions, but even the designers said that with the given platform, they didn’t have much to work with in terms of proportion. How did the ‘09 Camaro pull it off so easily?
Plus, I can’t wait to see what the markup will be. Good luck finding one anywhere near $37,995; I’m already hearing reports of $47-50k, similar to the 25-30% markup laid on the GT500 revival.
Finally, without a Manny Tranny, I’m sitting this one out. Sure they claim they’ll bring it out with the lower price models, but I don’t see it happening. They didn’t do it for the Charger, Magnum, or 300C (okay, I can understand the 300C), and I don’t see Chrysler having the funds to produce it at extra cost. Too bad, I had high hopes for this one.
“Winner”? I think so. But Chrysler needs to produce winners in the small and mid-size family car classes to mean much. I hope they do, too.
Nice look and car that bad price but I will never give 10.000 to 20,000 over list price.the dealer can hang on to own long as they want just like what they did with a prowler could be a short live car if people are smart and don’t buy them right now.course they get their money at the factory is a deal is gonna pay for them.so looks like longtime before I buy one I will be too old by then.
The Challenger looks great in person; they did a nice job of keeping the proportions; It looks better in black; interior still feels a bit on the low-end side..too bad they didn’t keep more of the interior look from the concept; thanks stinkin government regulations!
Completely agree with Mitch. No way worth a premium. Also, no manual transmission?!?
I just continue to be amazed at product management (or lack thereof) out of Detroit…
No manual – I’m out as well! It looks great, but I hope they come up with a cheaper version, around 300 hp to compete with the Mustang. And it better have a stick.
Dodge seems to have forgotten (or continues to ignore) 50% of the population: Women. If they keep building boy toys, they’re missing out.
I wonder what a girl toy might look like.
Mike: There are plenty of web sites that will show you, but I wouldn’t recommend looking at them when your kids are in the room.
– Aaron
Just another example of why the Corvette is still the only true American Sportscar…low, sleek and a car you can take to a track with turns in it. Why it wins comparison test after comparison test. Styling that makes it look like a car from the 21st century but is still obviously a modern car, not another slab sided box on wheels. AND it comes with a manual trans, the “small” motor is 400 hp and it get damn good mileage on the highway. For the dealer price these are gong to go at, I’d take a Vette without even thinking twice.
I don’t know, Kevin, the ‘Vette is too recognizable, almost as flashy as this Challenger. I think I’ll save $10-15k and play the part of snake-in-the-grass with a new Bullitt Mustang. At least Ford has the courage to appease enthusiasts with one of those old fashioned “do-it-yourself” shifters.
The exterior is cool but the interior looks awfully bleak. If you buy a Challenger you’d better keep the Zoloft in the glove compartment.
For me, I choose the Corvette. Recognizable or not (Mitch #11), it is low & sleek, fast, handles incredibly well, comes with optional Heads-Up-Display and NAV, removable see-through top, AND it comes in stickshift!
What more could you ask for from a sportscar?
It’s not “what more could you ask for from a sportscar,” it’s “what more could you ask for from a $50,000 sportscar.” You’ll get no argument from me that the Corvette has all the necessary performance potential, and then some. But for that price, I’d ask for some reliability and quality interior materials, niether of which can be found in a Corvette as of yet. H.U.D.? Found in Grand Prixs. NAV? Available in almost every vehicle now, even economy cars. Sorry, but the ‘Vette just ain’t tuggin on the ol’ heart strings like a Viper can.
I don’t know; a $40,000 retro that was once a great American icon? Was the T-Bird not a big enough flop? That’s a lot of money for a retro. I realize Chrysler’s trying to appeal to boomers, but they’re gonna have to get some Gen X and Y’ers eventually.
Have you ever asked Gen Y’ers what they think of all these new retros? Not only are they out of their price range, they complain that the cars “look old”.
I was told once by a 20-year-old that the PT Cruisier was the ugliest car she had ever seen. Coincidentally, the PT Cruiser is the worst car I’ve ever rented, but that’s for another day…
I don’t get the excitement over this car. It’s more of a caricature of the original than a reinvention. The interior looks like Chrysler did a tally of every interior that’s in the majority of “sporty” cars today, then just threw them together in an inoffensive color scheme, similar to the approach that home builders use today in large developments: just the essentials and nothing to trigger any emotional reaction whatsoever.
Who is the market for this car? Are baby-boomers really that desparate to relive their childhood? How sad.
Does this mean in 15 years that we’re going to see retros of Vegas, Mavericks, Mustang II’s, Pacers, and Gremlins? I can’t wait. I’m going to start saving today so I can overpay for one of those sweet little babies
I’m already predicting the 2025 Yugo will be the best-selling retro design of all time…
The 50k estimates are probably right on target for this baby, at least for the 1st one each dealer gets. If Chryco starts producing them in big numbers they’ll come down by next year, but it’ll probably be at 5k over list for a few years. A lot of people have commented on the “bleak” interior. Looking at my Feb. edition of Muscle Car Review, where they have a big story on the 70 Challenger, the original version made the interior of this one look absolutely lavish. So, I guess they’re trying to be somewhat faithful to the original. It would be nice if they could bring back that 340c.i.d. engine. It was a great hauler, yet lighter(bettter handling), with better gas mileage. But that’s only my opinion.
As for the Vette comparo, there is none for me. The Vette is a brilliantly designed sports car, while the Challenger is a beautifully executed walk in the past with all the modern-day expectations. I’d buy the Vette and appreciate and admire the Challenger, but I wouldn’t buy it, not even at straight list.