Mopar unveils two new Dodge Challenger drag race package car prototypes to fans at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals NHRA drag racing competition. Both cars are based on the Challenger SRT8 and can be ordered with three different engine options, a 6.1-liter or 5.7-liter HEMI or 5.9-liter Magnum Wedge in a manual or automatic transmission.
Each Challenger will begin life as a special body-in-white (BIW) from Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada’s assembly plant. To reduce vehicle weight, major production component and systems will also be eliminated including: windshield wiper assembly, complete HVAC system, all airbag components, rear seats, power steering system, exhaust system and underbody heat shields, cross-car and side impact door beams, rear bumper beam and rear deck lid spoiler.
Dodge plans to build a minimum of 100 drag race package cars to meet NHRA requirements. All the details and high-res photos can be found after the jump…
D&M Holdings Inc. and Visteon Corporation announced they have expanded their relationship to supply Boston Acoustics’ branded audio systems to the 2009 Dodge Challenger. The system will include Boston Acoustics’ speakers and Visteon’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP) amplifier.
“We are very pleased that Visteon and D&M Holdings have been chosen to provide a high-performing Boston Acoustics audio system to the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger,” said President of D&M Global OEM Michael Maloney. “As auto manufacturers strive to provide premium audio to their customers, we intend to exceed the expectations for superior sound by out-engineering our competition.” Continue reading ‘Visteon, DM Holdings put Boston Acoustics in 2009 Dodge Challenger’
It looks like Speedfactory gets the golf clap for building the first supercharged Challenger SRT8. With owners around the country taking delivery of their 2008 Challengers Speedfactory was among the first and they have been hard at work adding the Vortech Supercharger. According to the dyno sheet which can be seen after the jump the Challenger SRT8 puts down 495 horses at the rear wheels with Speedfactory claiming the Challenger is making around 600 horsepower at the crank. These are definately some amazing numbers and I expect with better tuning the Challenger will produce even more horsepower in the future.
Dyno Sheet and High-res pic of the engine bay after the jump…
We got ahold of some video of Craig Jackson and Jay Leno picking up the first two 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8’s off the assembly line at Valley Dodge in Van Nuys, California. Challenger #1 went to Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson fame and Challenger #2 went to Late Night TV host Jay Leno, both cars were black. Check out the video above.
Pricing has been released for the 2009 Challenger with the SE model MSRP starting at $21,995 which includes the $675 destination charge. The Challenger SE comes standard with a 3.5-liter High Output V6 engine that produces 250 horsepower and 250 ft-lb of torque. Gas mileage for the SE will be an estimated 18 miles in city driving and 25 highway.
The Challenger R/T model features the 5.7-liter HEMI with a five-speed automatic transmission producing 370 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. The MSRP for the R/T model is $29,995.
The Challenger SRT8 features the 6.1-liter HEMI V8 with either a five speed automatic or six speed manual transmission producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. MSRP for the SRT8 model is $39,995.
For more on all three models check out the press release after the jump…
From a previous post you know 2008 Challengers have started making thier way into customer hands this week and one of them is Late Night Television host Jay Leno who got his first at Valley Dodge in Van Nuys, California. Jay Leno ordered his 425 horsepower HEMI powered 2008 Challenger SRT8 in Black. If you think this is his first Challenger think again as the orange 1970 Challenger next to him is also his. We are unsure why he did not get a HEMI orange one to match the 1970 model but I am sure there is a very good reason. Check out the photos after the jump… Continue reading ‘Challengers Get To Customers, Jay Leno Gets His First’
The 2009 Dodge Challenger has not even hit the streets yet and it’s already getting a televison role on TNT’s Summer microseries ‘Lucky Chance’, a series about an undercover DEA agent who drives a new Challenger to complete his mission.
If you are wondering when the 2008 Challengers will be at Dealerships, your answer is very very soon as they have been shipped to Dodge dealerships across the country today. According to RedLetterDodge.com 1,000 Challengers have been built and more are on the way with production of the 2008 models to continue into the first part of July. So keep your eye out, you may just see a Challenger roaming the streets by the end of the week.
Steve Saleen and his newly formed company SMS have unveiled plans to produce their first Signature Series ultra-high performance vehicles based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. The SMS 570 and 570X Dodge Challengers will feature a SMS Supercharged 5.7L Hemi with respective power ratings from 500 to over 700 horsepower. Both models will be fully equipped with a compliment of SMS ultra-high performance components including drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics, tires, wheels and interior.
Each of the limited edition SMS Dodge Challengers will be personally signed by Steve Saleen as part of the SMS Signature Series product line complete with unique badges and graphics. Production numbers will be limited so act fast and contact SMS to get yours ordered.
Just an FYI for those of you who would like to order a 2009 Challenger. As of May 12 the ordering process is under way for 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8 models. Yes you heard me right, you can order a 2009 Dodge Challenger at your local Dodge stealership. If you are curious about price most dealers are selling them for MSRP and even cheaper. Below I have added the .pdf file for the 2009 order guide. Let me know in the comments if you place your order.
