Future Products Models Dodge Premiers Less Expensive Challenger Options
Posted by admin on Friday Sep 5, 2008 Under Future Products Models
Future Products Models
Dodge took the automotive press by storm, and dominated the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, with the debut of its upcoming Challenger muscle car. The Challenger appeared in Chicago in SRT8 trim with a top-of-the line 6.1-liter V8 rated for 425 hp..
"If your budget can’t take the blow of a $40,000 coupe, however,"Autoblog reports, "the folks at Chrysler have debuted a couple more models at the 2008 New York Auto Show that will cost quite a bit less." A Challenger R/T model powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine putting out 370 horsepower "offers a good portion of the SRT8’s power, as well as nearly every design cue seen on its more expensive big brother." A base SE model will also appear "for those who want a good looking RWD coupe on a budget." It features a 250-hp 3.5L V6.
Kicking Tires comments, "We expected the R/T model’s 370 hp engine, but we’re surprised that the company is going to produce a less-powerful V-6 trim level, the SE." They note that the R/T model "will be the first of the modern day Hemi-powered muscle cars — Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger — that will sport a manual transmission." But they worry that, in the less-powerful SE model, "the Challenger’s weight will bog down a pretty hum-drum powerplant and transmission."
The New York Auto Show will feature many high-horsepower models this year, but some believe the Challenger will be among the last of a dying breed of muscle cars.
Research the Challenger’s competition with U.S. News’ rankings and reviews.
