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By Autotropolis Editors
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Strengths: |
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Performance; nostalgia-inducing muscle-car styling; exclusivity for 2008. |
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Changes: |
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The 2008 Dodge Challenger, which borrows its shape and appearance cues from the early 1970s muscle car of the same name, is based on the Charger sedan and packs a modern V8 along with modern comfort, convenience, and safety features. It makes its debut as a late-arriving 2008 model and will only be offered in top, high-performance SRT8 trim in a limited production of 5,000 vehicles, with each car featuring a numbered dash plaque. Next year the Challenger lineup will be expanded to include more affordable models. |
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Value: |
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The Dodge Challenger rings a nostalgia bell for muscle-car enthusiasts, especially fans of the original late-1960s and early-1970s machines. With a torquey, high-power V8 engine that sounds the part, along with styling cues from those times, but with modern comfort and refinement, it plays the part for owners to relive their youth. And with a limited run, the 2008 may have some potential as a collectible years from now. |
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Overview: |
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The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 coupe comes with a 6.1L Hemi pushrod V8 engine that makes an impressive 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. This year, a five-speed automatic with AutoStick manual control will be the only transmission offered.
The rather wide, mid-sized Challenger has a back bench seat officially large enough for three, and with the long doors access is better than many coupes. Its trunk, at more than 16 cubic feet, is comparable to that of mid-size sedans.
A four-wheel independent suspension underpins the Challenger, providing a smooth ride and crisp, capable handling. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard, along with Bilstein monotube gas shocks, while big Brembo brakes-four-piston, front and back-provide impressive stopping power. Big 20-inch wheels are standard, mounted with four-season tires; Goodyear F1 Supercar three-season tires are available.
Carbon-fiber-style hood stripes are part of the SRT8's paint scheme, and it's only available in three colors: Hemi Orange, Bright Silver Metallic, and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat.
The Challenger SRT8, according to Dodge, will be able to accelerate to 60 mph in the low five-second range, do the quarter-mile in less than 14 seconds, and get from a standstill to 100 mph and back in less than 17 seconds. Equally impressive, it's able to stop from 60 mph in about 100 feet.
Nearly all the expected luxury and convenience features, including heated leather-trimmed seats and Kicker high-performance speakers, are standard on the Challenger, with the only significant options being a sunroof and the MyGig Infotainment System, which includes a 20-gigabyte hard-drive-based music system, USB interface, Sirius satellite radio with traffic, a navigation system, six-disc changer, and UConnect hands-free calling interface. |
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Average User Rating |
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Overall |
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4
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Styling |
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5
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Comfort |
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5
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Performance |
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5
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Value |
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5
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