Up to the Challenge

The iconic Dodge Challenger has been resurrected for a new generation of performance enthusiasts.

Words: Ross Ruehle

New Dodge Challenger SRT8® offers tire-shredding performance with lots of modern amenities and safety features.

Often times, it’s the people who show up fashionably late to the party that get all the attention.

Such was the case nearly four decades ago when Dodge muscled its way into the pony car market with the Challenger. Other prominent cars arrived at the party several years earlier, including the Pontiac Firebird, Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang. But it was the Dodge Challenger, with its drop-dead gorgeous styling and incredible powertrain lineup, that defined the pony car market for an entire generation of enthusiasts.

With an engine roster ranging from the somewhat docile Slant Six to the 440 Six Pack and, ultimately, the wild and wooly 426 HEMI®, the original Challenger became the envy of other manufacturers even when they wouldn’t publicly admit it.

The Challenger was originally offered as either a two-door hardtop or convertible, in base, SE (Special Edition), R/T (Road and Track), and T/A (Trans-Am) configurations. Even the paint schemes screamed performance, with colors including Plum Crazy and HEMI Orange, accented with “bumblebee” stripes. Customers could customize their Challengers with twin-scooped hoods, shaker hoods, and rear deck wings.

This renegade entry into the pony car market didn’t go unnoticed by prominent racers of the day. Drag racers including Dick Landy, Bill Bagshaw and Dick Oldfield campaigned Challengers in the NHRA’s new Pro Stock class. In 1970 and 1971, the HEMI-powered Challengers (and Plymouth ’Cudas) virtually ruled the class. For the street, the Challenger 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 cars to offer different size tires front and back—E60 x 15 in front and G60 x 15 in the rear.

In the end, the Challenger would survive only four years, from 1970 to 1974, but nearly 200,000 copies were sold, solidifying its status as a true standout in the pony car field.

Fast forward to 2006. Chrysler, already well-known for wowing the motoring public with dazzling concept cars (think Dodge Viper), trotted out a Dodge Challenger concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Flying metallic bright orange paint, the Challenger was an instant hit with the media and public alike.

The new concept was unmistakably Dodge. And unmistakably Challenger. Calls came almost immediately for Dodge to produce the Challenger. Enthusiasts rushed to their Dodge dealers, money in hand, practically begging dealers to accept a deposit in the hopes and dreams that one day a new Dodge Challenger would grace their driveways.

Sometimes, dreams do come true. Very soon, the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger will be rolling down the assembly line at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. The Dodge Challenger has been resurrected. A new muscle car icon for a new generation. A new chance for today’s enthusiasts to experience what life was like 35 years ago as the glory days of the muscle car era drew sadly to a close.

First out the gate is the raucous Challenger SRT8®, developed by Chrysler’s in-house performance engineering group, known as Street and Racing Technology. The Challenger SRT8 was engineered with a focus on the five pillars of every SRT® vehicle: bold exterior design that resonates with the brand image, a race-inspired interior, world-class ride and handling across a dynamic range, a standout powertrain, and benchmark braking.

Other Challenger models will follow, but it seems appropriate for the SRT8 to lead the parade.

“The all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is engineered to give customers everything they want in a modern muscle machine,” said Michael Accavitti, Director of the Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing. “The new version of Dodge’s American classic boasts tire-smoking performance and head-turning design.”

But the new Challenger also features modern technology that enthusiasts back in the day couldn’t have imagined, including GPS navigation, Keyless Go entry, a MyGIG™ infotainment system and UConnect® hands-free communication.

1970, meet 2008.Dodge is offering the limited-edition 2008 Challenger SRT8 in three colors: HEMI Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. Each two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe is being produced with a numbered dash plaque, carbon fiber-style hood stripes and will be powered by SRT’s 6.1-liter HEMI V8 that boats 425 horsepower (more on that later).

Performance targets for the new Challenger include a 0–60 mph time in the low five-second range, 0–100–0 time in less than 17 seconds, a 1/4-mile elapsed time of less than 14 seconds, 60–0 braking distance of under 110 feet, and a skid pad performance of 0.88 g.

That’ll work.

Eye on Design

Without question, the new Dodge Challenger rekindles the emotion and spirit of the original car, but with an updated twist.

“Our designers wanted to capture the mind’s eye view of what people today remember about the Challenger from 35 years ago,” said Trevor Creed, Chrysler’s Senior Vice President of Design. “So their challenge was to excite today’s customer by capturing the emotion of the original Challenger, but with today’s quality and performance.”

The Challenger SRT8 offers exterior design cues that are unique to Dodge. Overall exterior proportions evoke a bold look and stable stance on the road. A full-width grille and fog lamps are reminiscent not only of the original Challenger, but represent Dodge’s current DNA. The result is an aggressive “face” that clearly communicates the Challenger’s muscle car aspirations.

The Challenger SRT8 front end also incorporates numerous functional design features, including dual snorkel hood scoops that bring cooling air to the engine, ducts that direct air to cool the brakes, and a fascia that effectively sends air around the vehicle. A black rocker and valance on the rear amplify the Challenger’s classic aggressive look. The rear spoiler is not only reminiscent of the original Challenger T/A, but is also functional as it generates significant rear downforce.

“We used the original Challenger as an inspiration for many of the features found on the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger,” said Jeff Gale, Lead Designer for Dodge Challenger Exterior Design. “The side mirrors actually started with a mold of an original Challenger. We tweaked a few details for fit and finish, then put them through our modern aerodynamic testing metrics and ended up with body-mounted mirror that is remarkably similar visually to the original, but offers significantly better aerodynamic performance.”

The race-inspired interior of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 also uses the original Challenger—as well as the ’06 concept—for inspiration, while offering up a wide array of modern amenities and interior finishes.

Interior 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, and an SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display (RCD) with Performance Pages that provide drivers instant feedback on 0–60 mph time, 60–0 braking time, g-forces and 1/4-mile time.

The trapezoidal theme of the door and gauge cluster, the dark headliner and the slanted shifter console are all based directly on the original Challenger.

“The dark headliner was very important to us when designing the interior,” said Brian Nielander, Manager of Dodge Exterior and Interior Design. “It not only stays true to the original Challenger, but it also gives a sinister, more business-like atmosphere.”

Hell Yeah, it’s Got a HEMI

Was there really any choice when it came to selecting an engine for the 2008 Challenger SRT8. No, there wasn’t. None whatsoever. The term “slam dunk” has never been more appropriate. The 6.1-liter HEMI V8 that lurks beneath the Challenger SRT8’s hood kicks out 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. The normally aspirated 6.1L is the highest naturally aspirated specific-output V8 engine ever offered by Chrysler. Its 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 Street HEMI.

Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain feel responsive without harshness. Electronically controlled engine torque management provides smooth full-throttle launches, quick wide open throttle (WOT) shifts and quick two-step kick-down shifts. Extensive use of an electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) improves fuel economy while maintaining smooth operation.

Built on a unibody platform, the 2008 Challenger features a multilink short and long arm (SLA) suspension up front. The front suspension cradle combines hydroformed steel tube side rails with a stamped boxsection 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 a reduction in road noise, while maintaining vehicle dynamic handling performance.

At the rear, the 2008 Challenger sports a five-link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). IRS offers a better ride by allowing for independent tuning of the ride and handling characteristics. Multiple links maintain independent control of camber and toe during suspension movement. A lower unsprung mass offers a better ride along with the decoupling of left and right wheels over road imperfections, which ultimately amounts to improved tire contact with the road.

To say the original Challenger was best known for its straight-line prowess is a bit of an understatement. But according to Kipp Owen, Director of SRT Engineering, “The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 not only lives up to that heritage, but was engineered to offer world-class ride and handling characteristics when on the street, at the drag strip or on a road course.”

Added Owen of the whole Challenger package, “The 2008 Challenger is the ultimate modern muscle car—built by gearheads for gearheads. SRT understands what customers want in a performance car, and with the Challenger SRT8, we will exceed their expectations.”

Then as Now

It’s hard to believe that nearly four decades, seven presidents and the marking of a new millennium have passed since the original Dodge Challenger raced onto the pony car scene. Collectors, of course, have kept the memory alive. Drop by any Mopar car show around the country, and you’re likely to come across some pristine examples of Dodge’s entry into the pony car market.

Now, 38 years after the original Challenger was born and 34 years after the Challenger era drew to a close, a new generation of enthusiasts gets to live the glory days of the American muscle car era.

1970, meet 2008.

400,000 Reasons to Own the First 2008 Dodge Challenger

With enthusiasm about the new Dodge Challenger reaching a fever pitch earlier this year, Chrysler officials decided to parlay that enthusiasm into money for charitable causes. Dodge officials decided to auction the first three 2008 Dodge Challengers, with proceeds going to charities.

The very first production 2008 Dodge Challenger went on the block January 19 in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the 37th annual Barrett-Jackson auction. The winning bid of $400,000 came from none other than Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO who bought the car sight unseen.

All of the proceeds went to Not My Kid, Inc., a Phoenix-based organization dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues, including suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders and depression.

Safety First

You can say a lot about the original Dodge Challenger, but safety probably doesn’t come first to mind. In fact there was that day when … OK, we won’t go there. But a lot has changed in the last 35 years. Here is just a partial list of the advanced safety equipment available on the 2008 Challenger:

• Advanced multi-stage air bags
• All-speed traction control
• Anti-lock brakes
• Brake assist
• Child seat anchor system
• Crumple zones
• Electronic Stability Program
• Energy absorbing steering column
• Interior head-impact protection
• Safety cage body structure
• Supplemental side-curtain air bags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• UConnect® hands free communication system

Hooray for Hollywood

On the big screen, a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T starred in the film Vanishing Point, a high-speed pursuit movie that has become a cult favorite with muscle car fans. The movie was remade for television in 1997. Following is a partial list of movies and TV shows that featured the Dodge Challenger:

• The Return of Count Yorga, 1971
• Gone in 60 Seconds, 1974
• A Woman Under the Influence, 1974
• Moonshine County Express, 1977
• Running on Empty, 1982
• CHiPs, 1977–1983
• Enemy of the State, 1998
• Runaway Bride, 1999
• Riders, 2002
• Just Married, 2003
• Fastlane, 2002–2003
• Cars on Route 66, 2006
• Saxondale, 2006–2008
• The Comebacks, 2007
• American Gangster, 2007