Muscle for the masses. That's what Chrysler hopes to deliver with two new versions of the 2009 Dodge Challenger coupe. The pony car made a tire-squealing debut, barely a month ago, at the Chicago Auto Show, in the form of the top-line Dodge Challenger SRT8.
With its 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower Hemi V-8, the $37,995 SRT8 is definitely not for everyone, not at a time of $110-a-barrel oil and a weak economy. But with the SE and R/T editions, Chrysler puts the reborn muscle car much closer to the reach of a sizable portion of the market.
The SE is the base model, with prices starting in the low-$20,000 range. For the money, one gets the same basic body - including hood scoops - as the SRT edition, but with a 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood. The downsized powertrain still makes a solid 250 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque, enough to challenge a V-6 Mustang - which puts out significantly less pony power. Better yet, the Dodge offering delivers a healthy 25 mpg on the highway.
The Dodge Challenger SE has plenty of power where it matters for many of today's buyers - with a 276-watt Boston Acoustics audio system, which can be mated to a MyGig hard-drive system for storing thousands of tunes onboard. In-dash navigation is one of the high-tech options available.
For more kick, there's the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, which features the standard, 5.7-liter version of the Hemi V- 8. In the new pony car, the powertrain pumps out 370-hp and 298 lb-ft of torque. Chrysler officials claim the Hemi will deliver five percent better fuel economy than in previous products.
For some folks, the real news is the return of a Pistol Grip stick shift, which will be offered in the R/T and SRT8 versions of the 2009 Dodge Challenger. It's part of the new Track option package, which includes other niceties, such as metal pedals.
Dodge has loaded up the R/T with an array of standard features, such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control, as well as front and side curtain airbags. Unlike the competition, the various Challenger models feature a five-link rear suspension.
The R/T is expected to become the high-volume version of the 2009 Dodge Challenger line-up.
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