SEMA 2008 show report: Dodge Challenger

By Ben Whitworth

06 November 2008 16:59

Chrysler may have its back against the wall, but that hasn't stopped its SRT skunkworks team churning out what is easily the most politically incorrect – and, as a result, wonderfully desirable – Challenger SRT-10.

Holy tyre smoke! That's a mean looking Dodge Charger...

Yes, and with an 8.4-litre 600bhp V10 Viper motor shoehorned into the Dodge’s engine bay, there’ll be plenty of tyre smoke! Developed in house by Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology department, this is the hottest of Challengers. The all-aluminium engine pumps its 560lb ft of torque through the Viper’s Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission, complete with torque-sensing aluminium rear limited-slip differential.

And it looks the daddy, with that ‘shaker hood’ that tips its hat to the 1970 HEMI Cuda, big forged 20-inch alloys, trick Pirelli rubber, carbonfibre bonnet, front splitter and rear wing and Tornado Red paintjob. Inside, you get SRT’s Reconfigurable Display – a system that records 0-60mph, 60-0mph, braking, g-forces and 1/4-mile times. Nifty. There’s no mention of any stability or traction controls…

So it goes, but can it handle corners and stop?

SRT didn't simply plumb in a bigger engine – it went to town on the suspension and brakes. Bilstein mono-tube shocks are fitted at all four corners, the front suspension cradle is fitted with hydroformed steel tube side rails with a stamped box section lateral member for an ultra-stiff anchor point for the multi-link layout.

At the rear, the multi-link layout gets a fatter anti-roll bar, heavily uprated springs and stiffer bushings. SRT fitted vast two-piece 390mm vented discs up front and 355mm vented rotors at the rear, all gripped by six-pot Brembo callipers, and the brake recognises lateral acceleration and effectively primes itself, anticipating the next brake application.

I like it – is that wrong?

Hell no! 'The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT-10 concept resurrects the authentic American muscle car for the Dodge brand,' says SRT boss Kipp Owen. 'SRT has engineered a superb example of performance engineering capability with a resourceful and creative flare.' It may not be the car that will save Chrysler, but we can’t help admiring its ballsy attitude for giving this concept the greenlight…

Dodge Challenger

By Liz Turner

20 March 2008 20:51

Lucky US buyers can now get behind the wheel of a Dodge Challenger for less than $20,000 (about £10k). The base model is the 250bhp 2.5 V6, described as an ‘economy car’ because of its 25mpg, then there’s an RT with a 370bhp 5.7-litre Hemi, and then, of course, there’s the one everyone really wants, the 6.1-litre SRT-8. As is the tradition at Chrysler, the RT also offers an optional Track Pak.

All the models keep the bulging power hood, but only the SRT-8 has the dramatic twin stripes. The RT has an option of front-to-tail single side stripes though, very much in the classic MOPAR tradition. All three will feature plenty of infotainment and convenience goodies. It’s clear, however, Chrysler hopes owners of the poverty models will dig deep to personalize them with the many MOPAR accessories being offered.

COO and joint president Jim Press was clearly delighted to be unveiling these beauties: ‘People ask me about the move from Toyota, the last six months have been than best time of my life!’

Dodge Caliber SRT-4

By Tim Pollard

04 March 2008 20:30

What's new on the Chrysler group Geneva Motor Show stand?

Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge had a quiet show at Geneva, unveiling only metal we've seen before: the eco triumvirate from Detroit (main image) - the Dodge Zeo, Chrysler EcoVoyager and Jeep Renegade - plus airing the S-Max rivalling Dodge Journey again and the high-performance Dodge Caliber SRT-4. Sadly, we won't get the steroidal hot hatch in the UK as it's not being built in right-hand drive.












Why so little innovation? There's a natural lull in the model cycle after a ballistic 2007, and we'll have to wait until later in the year to see another new model, rumoured to be a concept car for a future model line. In the absence of any world debuts, the message was decidedly green as the group showed off its electric powered concept trio and diesel-powered current range.

CAR highlight

We spotted Mercedes bigwig Dieter Zetsche striding over from his neighbouring stand to the front row seating to watch Chrysler's press conference. It shows that Daimler hasn't lost all interest in Chrysler after last year's demerger (the Germans do retain a 20 percent share, after all).

What were they thinking?

Jeep announced a publicity stunt that pitched a husband and wife team to drive from London to Russia on a single tank of diesel in a Jeep Patriot and Nitro. They drove an impressive 698 miles on a single tank at an average 67mpg and 110g/km... Not the most scientific or representative of tests, but quite an achievement nonetheless.

In a nutshell...

Nothing genuinely new from the Americans, but Chrysler reinforced its environmental message in Switzerland
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