Source: Autoweek 4140 lbs. 3.06 gears. 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. Quarter in low-mid 13's. The car looks really good... BUT, it'll perform nearly identical to the 300, Mag and Charger. In some case, less so!!! See below! According to Autoweek, in talking with the SRT folks, the Challenger was PURPOSELY designed to have LESS BODY ROLL than the 300 SRT8, but MORE than the Charger SRT8. They said its ride will be rougher than the 300 but softer than the Charger (SRT8s). They claimed that the target customers would want that nostalgic body roll (although alot more controlled than the 1970's Challenger). WTF? Are they serious? Really? Why is it then that nearly all of us LX'ers have or would like to upgrade our suspensions to create LESS roll and better handling?!?! That all those who are doing retro-restorations are also going for top notch handling... are the SRT folks totally ignoring what folks are doing in the aftermarket? I guess so!!! So, in essence, Dodge's Pony Muscle Car is sort-of an equal, maybe lesser version, of their full size sedans?!?! I am stumped at their rationale. All the Chally is, in reality, is a 2 door 300SRT8 with different styling and a suspension that isn't even equal to the Charger SRT8. Good grief.
Thoughts: Its still heavy. Suspension - who cares, most everyone here will just make it what they want. There are plenty of coil-over and sway bar parts available. I'd be careful throwing around that "not even equal to a Charger" shite. The body roll difference between the Charger and 300 is not that significant, so they split hairs with this. All the 08 SRTs have a revised suspension that increases ride quality without sacrificing terminal performance, per the SRT engineers. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Or in this case Jason, until you get beat by one.
I still love it...and I would modify it as well...so many of the same parts would be gonzo. I am a bit disappointed as well though Momo....I mean, come on! It is also a pig and wtf is up with the gearing? I must have missed this since I was only really looking at pictures in the numerous threads popping up as of late. That's crap. I think the new ownership at Chrysler's had a lot more to do with it than the SRT division. I do think they are probably loving the car (as they do all the 8's) but are perhaps more frustrated than some of us. Imagine yourself designing, creating, testing and piloting what you think may be the next big thing...an homage to days of old and bringing a new flagship V8 (perhaps one of the last) to Chrysler's ranks only to have the bean counters and senior management say, "Nah...we're not gonna do it this way any more. Just take some of the shit from the LX's and throw it in there...Cheaper is better". Bottom line...they knew they'd sell and they didn't care what enthusiasts wanted. SRT probably did though. Now that I see these specs, I'm surprised it did get the 6 speed.
I'd have to agree...people will be putting their upgraded stuff on there just like they did w/ the chargers/300/maggies... I agree that it could be lighter...GO ON A DIET DODGE!!!!!!! hahaha
Adam, I read that loud and clear... but, this is/was an opportunity to really do something special, and they flopped (according to specs). I really don't see how the Chally stock/stock or mod/mod would be faster than our cars... same weight, same gears, same engine, relatively same measurements... same everything... just different looks.
I thought I read something where the 6 speed was gonna be in 'future' models of the Chally... that it had the same 5 speed as ours for now. Could be wrong.
I think you may be right...but, again, I know for a fact that they're out and driving at Chrysler's Proving Grounds in 6 speed trim. Not sure if they're available in the first batch out there though...perhaps someone will clarify. Stevo? You are the Challie Mod no?
I think it's a fat pig. I was hoping for at least 300 pounds off. Instead, I got 100 pounds added on? WTF? 4th model year in, and my 2005 300 SRT-8 is still the best pound per horsepower SRT-8 made? Boooooo!!!
if they put a 6 speed in one LX it will go in all of them. the chall does have a shorter wheelbase which will effect how it handles and gets out of the hole. and no matter what suspension they put on it we would change it. there is always a better aftermarket one out there.
I think that like the new 1.3 mil Lambo Reventon...it should be all CF...take a good 1000lbs off! hahaha... of course it would then be a $150,000 car
okay im chiming in here without reading everybodies replies cuz im an asshole. 1-it definately needs a diet. 2-people will mod it anyway so the suspension is negligable however its still a gay reason to make the suspension the way they made it. 3-i had no idea the maggies and 300's were softer then the charger. then again im an ignorant dink. seems like the more i hear about the challenger the more im like wtf
The other problem with this is I hear it can't handle high torque which is the reason the AMGs are down vs. horsepower.
I just got my AutoWeek and read the article and ran to this froum to find that Jason had already spilled the beans.... After reading the story...It made me a lot prouder to have my Charger SRT8. And to think I was thinking of selling my Beast (I would call it my baby but it is above that moniker) to get a Challenger. I really could not believe that my car is ONLY 20 puonds heavier, but has a slightly better suspension and has a comlpetely more usable back seat. The fact that it has the 2 door look and a slightly nicer front end is it's only advantage. It wont be long before there will be nicer looking front fascias for the Charger, however I think the Charger SRT8 front fascia still looks pretty good already but the Challenger style front end may look pretty nice on a Charger, like the old style '69 Charger front ends. And to top that off.... the new nifty looking Dodge Demon, that is being built to compete with the Miata and the Honda S2000, will have a Chinese supplied front wheel drive chassis. All the others have a much better performing rear wheel drive. As a guy said in AutoWeek...."I wonder why Chrysler is operationally bankrupt."
keep in mind jason that they need to have a jump off point, and this allows room in the future for improvements in upcoming model years....... the 6.4 w/392 gears and a M6 will be out before you know it!!! :thumb3:
You can already put a 392 in your car for less money than that option will cost. I am sure kits for putting the Man 6 speed in our cars will show up soon, but I kind of like letting my left foot rest instead of cramp. Plus not having to replace a worn out the clutch plate.
Also: AutoWeek is a respectable mag and it states: "Unique exhaust intake tuning provide a slightly deeper rumble, but actual performance what we've seen before: 0 to 60 inlow five-second range, quarter-mile somewhere in low 13s." The tranny: "Five-speed automatic is once again the only transmission choice with a six speed in the works, and SRT engineers fight to hide sly grins when pressed about a manual gearbox" I strongly beleve the '09 Challenger SRT8 may be the one that gets the 6 speed manual option along with a 392 as an SRT option. Ie....standard SRT8 with 6.1L with 6.4L and/or 6-speed manual as option. However as stated above... I bet for the price of the 392 (6.4L) option it would be cheaper to buy a fully forged 392 kit for our cars.
