Tuesday, April 14, 2009

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8


Ford started the muscle car wars with the Mustang, Chrysler came to play with the all new Dodge Challenger and Chevy is last to the ball game with the 2010 Camaro. Today's post is on the supreme Challenger which is the SRT8, which is a beast.....extreme power! The SRT8 outperforms it's legendary predecessor the 1970 Hemi Challenger, which in mint condition is worth in excess of $250K.
The new Challenger is a two door coupe which shares common design elements with the first generation Challenger, despite being significantly longer and taller. The chassis is a shortened wheelbase version of the LX platform that underpins the 2006-2009 Dodge Charger and 2005-2009 Chrysler 300. All 2008 models were SRT8s and equipped with the 6.1 L Hemi and a 5-speed AutoStick automatic transmission, which outperforms the legendary 1970 Hemi Challenger. The entire 2008 run of 6,400 cars were pre-sold, which many were sold for above MSRP.

The base model Challenger is powered by a 3.5 L SOHC V6 with 250 hp. attached to a four-speed automatic transmission. A R/T version is available with a 5.7 L (345 cu in) HEMI V8 producing 375 brake horsepower and coupled to either a 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmission.
The 2009 SRT8 is available either with a 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. Standard features include Brembo brakes, a sport suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, heated leather sport seats, keyless entry, Sirius satellite radio, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels in addition to most amenities offered on the lower R/T and SE models such as air conditioning and cruise control. In addition, the 2009 will have a true "limited slip" differential. Check out the Motors TV video.
Pricing for the SE Challenger starts at $22,945, wit the SRT8 at a steep $42,645.
Shown below is a classic 1972 Dodge Challenger!


Information for this post is from Wikipedia!

6 comments:

  1. What would be the price of the 1972 Dodge Challenger in the photo? I had no idea that a 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger is that valueable. Wow, I will pay more respect to them if I see one again.
    Thank you,
    Giovanna Garcia
    Imperfect Action is better than No Action

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  2. Hi Pete .. can't say I like the look of them .. but obviously they've got loads of whoomph .. & however else you describe engine roar!!

    I think I will aim at an Aston Martin - good goal .. a large car for a little girl! Had that comment when I was 17 driving a large car!

    Have a good day -
    Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

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  3. Hi Giovanna,

    The price of a collector car is dependant on the condition and rarity. In this example, it also depends on which engine! The Chrysler products of this era are HOT collector items since they did not manufacture as many of them. They came to the muscle car game late...but with some hot performance. The $250K is a very conservative price of a vehicle like that for sale.

    An example like in the picture with a 340 CI or 383 CI engine would probably run around $30K, add a hemi and the price could go over $300K. There was a 1970 Hemi listed in Hemmings Motor News for $399K.

    Thanks for commenting on my blog!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Hilary,

    They did sell some of the older Challengers in Europe so you will see one rarely. The old Challengers were fun since they were a reasonably priced car with brute power...a thrill to drive. Also, a bit scary since they did not handle so well.

    The new Challenger is a fun beast of a car...obviously not as refined as an Aston Martin...you pay for what you get!

    I agree with you that an Aston Martin is a great goal...exceptional vehicles.

    Best Regards

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  5. Hello Pete,

    Challenger from the your photos looks really like "Mustang". Was there any same designer involved in the design? I noticed some engineers and designers change their companies and keep designing under same philosophy. Thank you for your information.

    Shaw Funami
    Fill the Missing Link

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  6. Hi Shaw,

    What a great question! Yes, certain designers are lured away to another companies. I think that there is a lot of similarity between Jaguar and Aston Martin...ie Ian McCallum designed a number of each brands cars.

    With the Challenger, Tom Tremont who was Chrysler's vice president of design has been with Chrysler since 1972. Kevin Verduyn, who is Chief Designer at Chrysler's Pacific Design studio has only worked for Chryler, along with Mike Castiglione the exterior designer.

    Thank you for reading my blog and commenting!

    Best Regards

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

    ReplyDelete