Chrysler’s Vice President Ralph Gilles and Erich Heuschele, Vehicle Dynamics Supervisor for SRT pictured above show off a white 2008 SRT8 Dodge Challenger dubbed ‘Vanishing Point’ that was inspired by the 1970 Dodge Challenger that stars in the cult film Vanishing Point from 1971. The two have entered the Vanishing Point Challenger in the One Lap of America which takes them on a 4,000 mile journey to 11 tracks througout the midwest and south in an eight day adventure.
The SRT8 Challenger being used for the One Lap of America is actually the first pre-production Challenger prototype that was driven on the roads. Instead of destroying the vehicle Chrysler decided to put it to good use as a promotional vehicle before actual Challengers hit the road.
The original movie revolves around a guy named Kowalski who has to deliver a white 1970 Challenger by driving it from Denver to San Francisco. He’s aided by a blind DJ named Super Soul who scans police band to help Kowalski.
Check out more photos and a video of the Vanishing Point SRT8 Challenger after the jump…
Found this video on Youtube of a 2008 Challenger SRT8 drifting through a figure 8 with a few other SRT vehicles. Not sure what the Challenger is doing or who they are drifting for but who cares, its pretty cool to see what the car can really do. Check out the video above.
The 2008 SRT8 Dodge Challenger has not even hit the streets yet and John Hennessey has already come up with an upgrade package dubbed SRT700. The SRT700 upgrade package increases the size of the motor to 426 cubic inches with the addition of a stroker crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons, forged steel connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads. You are probably wondering where are all the horses coming from and your answer is a 67mm turbocharger system with a air-to-air intercooler that will almost double horsepower output to 725 bhp/750 lb-ft of torque. According to Hennessey who claims the increased power will help propell the Challenger to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 190 mph. Pretty nasty numbers if you ask me, can’t wait to see it on the streets.
Goodyear tires will be original equipment on the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 when it becomes available this spring to customers across the country. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is supplying two variations of tires to Chrysler for the 2008 Challenger. Both tire options are below:
Standard: Eagle RS-A all-season tires, size 245/45R20 size. It features an asymmetric tread design.
Optional: Eagle F1 Supercar tires in size 245/45R20 (front) and 255/45R20 (rear). It features an ultra-high performance tread compound.
The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and its 425 horsepower engine represent a modern-day tribute to the Hemi Challenger of the 1960s — which also ran on Goodyear tires.
The one-of-a-kind B5 Blue #43 Challenger Ebay auction is underway with several bids already. The B5 #43 Challenger pays tribute to Richard Petty’s stock car and all the years he put into his long career as a race car driver. The winner of the auction will not only win the car but Dodge is throwing in two VIP passes to the May 2008 Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR event at Darlington Raceway, travel and accomadations, a Dodge Motorsports prize pack and a meet and greet with Kyle Petty.
All proceeds from the Ebay auction will benefit the Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp which enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences year-round.
Below are a few photos of the #43 B5 Blue Challenger with more after the jump…
We finally have some video of the production 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 cruising through the desert thanks to the folks over at Chrysler. Looks like some of the same scenery in the photos that were released. It will be soon enough that we see this beast on the streets.
Well folks I can finally say the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 has arrived at this years Chicago Auto Show for it’s official unveiling. Dodge has released all the official information along with a ton of photos of the exterior, interior and engine bay. It has been two long years since the debut of the concept back in 2006 and now the Challenger is ready to heat up the muscle car wars once again.
For 2008 Dodge will be producing only 6,400 models in three distinct colors, HEMI Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. Each 2008 model will have the same SRT8 6.1L HEMI V8 with 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque that will propell the Challenger from 0-60 mph in the low 5-second range along with a 1/4 mile time of less than 14 seconds. All 2008 models will only be available in an automatic.
The 2008 Dodge Challenger will carry an MSRP of $37,995 with a destination/delivery charge of $675. Most if not all 2008 Challengers have already been accounted for by dealers and customers who put deposits down the first week they were able to.
According to PhillyAutoShow.com the 2008 Challenger SRT8 will debut at the Chicago Auto Show for the press February 6th and at the 2008 Philadelphia Auto Show simultaneously. Whats great about being at the Philadelphia Auto show is the public will be able to view the Challenger February 6th unlike the Chicago Auto Show where the public will not be able to see the Challenger until the weekend. I guess the place to be February 6th is the Philly auto show. Wherever it’s unveiled it should be a circus as as we have been waiting for this day for a long time.
Now that we have seen what the outside of the car will look like with the release of the production photos in the previous post somebody has captured a few interior spy pics just ahead of the unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show. The interior looks pretty basic with nothing spectacular. The AC/radio controls look to be borrowed from other Chrysler/Dodge models like the Charger. The pistol grip shifter with a leather boot is a nice touch. I am not sure what most were expecting but I bet Dodge wanted to keep things pretty simple for the first go-round. Maybe we will see some changes for the 2009 Challenger. Check the high-res version of the photo and let me know what you think.
After much speculation on the exact number of 2008 Challenger SRT8’s that will be built Mark Mallie, Dodge Challenger Brand Manager confirmed 6,400 units will be produced. They arrived at this number after volume and market feasibility tests were conducted while the concept was making it’s rounds on the auto show circuit. To keep the exclusivity for each 2008 owner all Challengers will be given a unique interior dash plaque with whatever your production number is out of 6,400 (1 of ,6400). With over 4,300 orders place on the first day for the 2008 Challenger it does not leave many to be sold to the public.
