Exclusive Dodge Challenger Driving Impressions

Driving from LA to Denver and back will give you ample opportunity to get to know almost any car, and Dodge’s new 2008 Challenger SRT8 is no exception. What makes this adventure even more compelling is that on the second leg, from Denver to LA, we’ll be joined by a restored 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi. Have we died and gone to Mopar heaven? Read after the jump to find out.

For petrol heads, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is the year’s most anticipated car. All of the first year’s production of approximately 6,400 units is spoken for and hefty dealer markups of up to $20,000 are the norm.

Almost anyone reading this will know that the Challenger is based on the highly regarded Chrysler 300C/Dodge Charger/Dodge Magnum LX platform with its multi-link independent rear suspension. In order to get the proportions right, Dodge sliced four inches out of the wheelbase in translating the acclaimed 2006 concept version into a production reality. Along the way a pair of B-pillars were added, yet the car retains almost all of the charm of Michael Castiglione’s original concept exterior design.

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s review the area where the Challenger falls a bit short, the interior. It’s about par with the rest of its LX stablemates, yet when measured against the interior, as well as Alan Barrington’s outstanding concept version, it fails to excite. The shoulder restraints frustrate use—how come the shoulder harness wasn’t integrated into the seat back, like on the Sebring convertible?—and subjectively, we felt the upgraded Kicker audio system’s midrange as too pronounced, requiring it to be set to the minimum EQ setting. The seats are typical for an LX SRT; well-bolstered, not too tight, with grippy inserts that hold you in place when cornering hard.

Under the hood you’ll find the 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower Hemi and it remains a world class engine. And surprisingly, it runs on regular fuel and on our 3,000-mile road trip, delivered more than 21 MPG. (It should be noted that because our companion ’70 Challenger R/T Hemi was running 3.73 gears, and was spinning over 3,000 RPM at 65 MPH, we stayed, with just three notable exceptions, within five MPH of legally posted limits. It looks like 65-70 MPH is the Challenger’s MPG sweet spot. Around town, expect something closer to 15 MPG.

Like many contemporary cars, it’s obvious that the Challenger could stand to go on a diet as it tips the scales at 4,200 pounds. Thankfully with 425 horsepower on tap, after pushing the dash-mounted start button, thrust is almost never an issue. Zero to 60 stopped our stopwatch at 5.1 seconds, the quarter mile falls into the mid-13 second range, with Dodge claiming a top speed of over 170 MPH. We couldn’t verify the last number, having to be satisfied with hitting just 160 MPH at more than 6,000-feet elevation.

Handling is something of a mixed bag, some of which can be attributed to the Challenger’s bulk. With softer spring rates, combined with the four inch shorter wheelbase, the Challenger’s ride was very comfortable, even more so than a comparable Charger SRT8.

In 2009 the Challenger lineup will be expanded with the addition of a base SE model V-6 and an R/T model powered by the 5.7-liter/350-horsepower V-8. A six-speed manual gearbox is coming for 2009, to be paired with both V-8s.

We came away from our 3,000-mile test drive suitably impressed. Where we found shortcomings, they weren’t unexpected, such as the interior. We were suitably impressed by its performance capabilities, especially it’s Brembo brakes and Goodyear F1 tires.

Is it worth the wait? We would say so and expect that it will get better with continual improvements and refinements shared with its LX cousins. It’s a high-style package, that while it evokes memories of its namesake, has its own identity. With a starting price of just a tick over $40,000, it’s a competitively priced package that will only get more appealing once the initial demand is filled as well as when the new Camaro comes on stream early next year.

With Mustangs, Challengers, and shortly a new Camaro, can a revived Trans-Am series be in the cards? We certainly hope so!

For more details on the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, along with a daily log of its transcontinental drive in tandem with a 1970 Challenger R/T Hemi, visit Automotive Traveler for more information, exclusive videos, and high-res downloadable desktop wallpaper images.