The Dodge Challenger Legacy Continues

by

Roberto Bell

Those of us that are old enough remember the days of the pony car wars in the 1970’s and the unquenchable lust of steering one of these muscle cars, especially a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. Well those days are back as Dodge reawakens the Dodge Challenger in its latest form, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8. As in the 1970s, the Dodge Challenger is somewhat late in the pony car segment trailing the retro styled Ford Mustang, although beating General Motors to the punch with their release of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

Performance is not an Issue

The new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 sports a powerful 6.1L v8 HEMI producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 rush into the market has its cost; only a 5-speed AutoStick automatic is available. This shortcoming will soon be resolved with the 2009 model year, where a 6-speed manual will be introduced, as well as R/T and SE trim levels. Built upon the new LC platform, the Dodge Challenger weights in at a hefty 4,140 pounds. Although 600 pounds heavier than a Ford Mustang, weight is not an issue when going from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds.

Money is no Option

The first production 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 that rolled off the assembly line sold for a whopping $400,000 dollars at Barret-Jackson. Also, the 43rd 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 sold on ebay for a respectable $228,143.43. This jaw dropping 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 was painted B5 blue and styled in honor of Richard Petty. Adorned with signatures of the build team as well as Richard and Kyle Petty, this particular auction benefited Petty family’s Victory Junction Gang Camp, which helps kids with disabilities go to camp.

High Performance, High Cost – Who Cares!

The new Dodge Challenger SRT-8 is sure to have Dodge fans very excited, but high performance comes with a high cost. The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 horsepower numbers are not the only throwback to the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with a 426 horsepower 7.0L HEMI. Like the R/Ts of old the SRT-8’s high horsepower numbers comes with low fuel economy, 13 city – 18 highway to be exact. This of course means the SRT-8 will include a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax, but for true Mopar enthusiast this is part of what makes a pure Dodge Challenger.

Richard is an owner of The

Dodge Challenger Store

. You can find more information and pictures about the #43 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 at The

Caliber SRT-4 Forums

.

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The Dodge Challenger Legacy Continues

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