2009 Dodge Mopar Drift Challenger

The new car Mopar has just unveiled its new 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas. Also, the two-time Formula Drift champion Samuel Hubinette, who will steer the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger during the 2009 season, will participate in this event. The most-anticipated Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at SEMA continues Mopar’s long commitment to the rising motorsport of drifting.

“The debut of the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger solidifies the Mopar theme — if you can dream it, you can build it with Mopar,” said Steve Shugg, Director of Sales and Marketing – Mopar, Chrysler LLC. “Mopar is reaching out to today’s car enthusiast by combining its storied racing heritage with a variety of performance and accessory products that allow customers to make a personal statement with their vehicle.”

The creation of this car was no easy task for Carlson and his NuFormz Racing crew.

2009 Dodge Challenger Drack Pack

Mopar is bringing in their new iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National Hot Road Assocation drag-racing competition. Mopar built the first two Challenger Drag Race Package Cars for development and testing for its new Challenger Package Car program. To accentuate the weight savings, they have also featured an added composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components and systems.

Mopar will build a minimum of 100 Challenger Drag Race Package Cars to meet the NHRA requirements. Basing on the production of the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Mopar’s modern factory-prepped Challenger Drag Race Package Car will begin as a special Body-in-White from Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada, assembly plant.

To accentuate weight savings, the Package Car program includes: composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack and pinion steering, special cable-operated deck lid release, special lightweight front brake assembly and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.

2009 Dodge Challenger Blacktop Concept

A new type of creation has entered the world of Mopar Underground design team. The Dodge Challenger Blacktop began as a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7 liter HEMI and six-speed manual transmission. Mopar Underground has added a custom-made spoiler and front brow. Also, the Blacktop rolls on a massive 22-inch Dodge Viper wheels from Factory Reproductions wrapped in Dunlop tires measuring 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear.

To ensure powertrain, they can keep up with suspension, under hood performance is enhanced. The addition of Mopar components includes a cat back dual-exhaust, cold air intake, allows the HEMI V-8 to breathe relatively easy. Also, the interior has been enhanced with Katzkin leather seating and bright red plus a Mopar Kicker audio system for premium sound.

285 HP Dodge Caliber SRT4 For $16,769, $10K Off MSRP

Proving the Carpocalypse isn't all bad, CarMax is selling a new 285 HP car equipped with a six-speed manual transmission for $16,769, or about $10K off the MSRP. The catch? It's a Dodge Caliber.

If you drive on down to the LAX CarMax in Inglewood, California you can pick yourself up a brand new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 for the low price of $16,769 or about $10,000 off the MSRP of a comparably-equipped SRT4. For this low price, less than the MSRP of the base model Caliber, you get a turbocharged little monster capable of an electronically (and aerodynamically) limited 155 MPH top speed, a 0-60 jog in the low 6's and a quarter-mile time of 14.5 seconds.

Although we weren't exceptionally fond of the car when we reviewed it, we came away impressed with the car's gobs of available power and crisp gearbox. We called the car a "decent value" when it was above $20,000. For less than $17,000 this is an incredible amount of horsepower for incredibly little money.

CarMax currently offers new cars at five locations in the US, but this is the best deal we could find at any of the new vehicle locations. And before you ask, you can't get the cars transferred to your local CarMax. But at this price, grab a one-way ticket to LAX.

[CarMax via Motive Forums]

Chrysler Prepping More Dodge-Like Dodge EV For Detroit

Chrysler may be bringing an updated hopes and dreams Dodge EV to the Detroit Auto Show. What’s new? Styling going further than a badge swap and possibly four seats. So, a Lotus Evora?

Well, we don’t know for sure. First unveiled in September, the Dodge EV was the first of four smoke and mirrors-like electric concept vehicles developed by Chrysler’s ENVI program. Allegedly, the company claims it'll have one electric vehicle on the road in 2010. To cut costs, instead of developing an all-new model it’s looking to drop some batteries into an existing vehicle. In the EV’s case, that vehicle is the Lotus Europa.

Since that time Chrysler chose to unveil its future product line to a selection of media outlets that purposefully excluded Jalopnik readers. We'd been told one of the vehicles included was an electric version of the Jeep Patriot, but we'd also been told to expect a concept vehicle to be unveiled at Detroit. We guess this is it.

Now, according to the real journalists over at Automotive News, Chrysler plans to show off an updated EV in Detroit next week:

The Dodge EV shown in September was a Lotus-derived electric sports car. Look for the show version to have more Dodge styling cues and possibly be a four-passenger coupe.

Since the Dodge EV was basically just a Lotus Europa with batteries, it stands to reason a four-seat coupe version would be based on the four-seat Lotus Evora. “More Dodge styling cues?” We’re guessing that means they’ve grafted on a crosshair grille.

Is it just us, or is everyone sick of Lotus-based smoke and mirrors electric sportscars? Thankfully, Lotus says it’s developing its own EV, possibly in time for the Geneva Motor Show. [source: Automotive News]

RDP Motorsport Dodge Challenger SRT8 Produces Twin-Supercharged 1,000 HP

Our belief is enough is never really enough, which is why we absolutely support RDP Motorsport’s idea to twin-supercharge the Dodge Challenger SRT8. You can hear the ear-splitting results in the video below.

The stock 6.1-liter 440 Hemi V8 in the Challenger STR8 is good for a stout 425 horsepower which, for most, is a healthy dose of adrenaline. Consider RDP’s 1000 horsepower twin-supercharged Challenger a healthy dose of adrenaline with some performance enhancing drugs thrown in for good measure. If it could help Barry Bonds, then it could surely help Dodge’s retro ride, right?

RDP Motorsport has installed a one-off Twin Bullet/RDP Harrop Supercharger system as well as a supplemental nitrous kit from Nitrous Express to produce a Bugatti Veyron challenging 1,000 HP. Extensive modifications were made to the car including a new rear end with a custom ½-inch shaft, quaife limited-slip differential and a 3,800rpm high stall converter to allow the beast to launch with more available torque. Throw in new Kooks headers and a custom-built RDP exhaust and you have one slick Dodge.

While we’re unsure what sort of numbers the dual-blown Challenger will run at the track, we’d be safe to bet it’s capable of running sub-ten second passes down the 1320. RDP’s extreme Challenger was unveiled recently at the PRI Show in sunny Florida to the praise of many and makes us drool at the thought of cruising down Woodward next year in one of these bad boys.

[via RDP Motorsport]

Winding Road picks their 12 favorite autos, including... the Dodge Sprinter?!

When Winding Road picked their 12 favorite cars of 2008, they went out of their way to diversify. Their "Dynamic Dozen" includes vehicles as inexpensive as the $14,000 Honda Fit up to the $114,000 Audi R8, with everything from the Ford Mustang to the Porsche Cayman/Boxster in between. There are some gaping omissions like the Nissan GT-R and perhaps the Pontiac G8 GT, but Winding Road's criteria stipulated that the majority of the staff had to drive the vehicles in order for them to be nominated, which might explain why some vehicles don't appear.
The list is filled with great vehicles, with one really big (literally) surprise: the Dodge Sprinter. The $37,000 people/cargo hauler doesn't crank through the twisties and it couldn't beat a pack mule in a quarter mile, but WR loves the German-born hauler for its distinct personality and core competencies. It can haul people or things in great quantities, it has very solid interior, has a great service record, and WR claims it's a lot of fun to drive, too.
As surprising as the nod to the Sprinter was, we almost reserved as much shock for the lack of a BMW 3-Series. We were beginning to think that the best-selling BMW was a requirement for any "best" list. They did outline why they chose the 1-Series, though, so that's probably close enough. Hit the read link below to catch Winding Road's top 12 from beginning to end.
[Source: Winding Road]

Dodge Circuit EV -aka- All Electric Lotus Europa

Cash-strapped Chrysler LLC didn't have a lot of money to spend on concept cars at this year's Detroit Show so Dodge was left with the re-introduction of the Lotus Elise based, all-electric Circuit EV sports coupe. As many of may remember, Chrysler had presented the Dodge EV along with two other all-electric prototypes last September. Aside from a few subtle cosmetic changes that concern the front-grille and bumper, the new alloy wheels and the quirky orange paint job, there aren't any substantial differences between the Circuit EV and the EV.

The Circuit EV is propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, that utilizes just three powertrain components that include a 200 kW (268HP) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Dodge claims that the zero-emissions Circuit EV sprints from zero to 60mph (96 km/h) in less than 5 seconds while it hits the quarter-mile in 13 seconds and achieves a top-speed of more than 120mph (196 km/h).

The Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of around 150 to 200 miles between charges. The batteries can be charged simply by plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

Dodge Challenger R/T accessorized by Mopar

The Dodge Challenger remains by far one of the most exciting offerings in Chrysler's lineup, and in addition to the R/T Classic edition, Dodge had on display an R/T on display complete with the latest products from its Mopar catalog. The car you see here comes with Nostalgia wheels ($561 each), Go-Wing spoiler ($307), carbon fiber engine cover ($313), cold air intake ($359), cat-back exhaust system ($1,155), performance shifter ($680), coilover suspension kit ($1,704), Katzkin leather seats ($1,240), T/A hood, and more. Some of the parts seem a little expensive, but the Moparized Challenger looks absolutely retrotastic in a more subtle way than the aforementioned Classic R/T. Decide for yourself by browsing the high-res gallery below.

Dodge Journey to get OnStar-like features this summer

On our final night in Vegas, Hughes Telematics invited us over to talk about their work in... well... telematics. Among their demo vehicles was a Dodge Journey outfitted with what is essentially Chrysler's version of OnStar. The Journey will be Chrysler's first product with the service and should be available this summer.
We're not certain what name the new service will get, but it essentially offers the same basic services General Motors' vehciles have. Press a button on the rearview mirror and talk with an assistant at Hughes' own call center to unlock doors and provide directions. The system will also alert rescue agencies of an crash.
Pricing and exact date of availability are both unknown. Hughes reps said that their company is in talks with Chrysler to develop much more elaborate systems with many more features, some of which we were able to check out. We'll be able to post more on that later. But until then you can refresh on what Hughes Telematics told us at CES 2008.

Detroit Auto Show: Dodge Circuit EV

Dodge brought its fleet of electrics to the snowy death trap wonderland that is Detroit. While there was an all new EV sedan concept (the 200C) and a two-wheel drive EV Jeep Patriot on hand, the most Fiendish ride under the Penstar was still the the Lotus Europa-based Circuit. The company has worked up yet another nose and tail for the car, and this one looks decidedly more finished than the yellow version we saw a few months back. According to the execs on stage, the new exterior delivers a “distinctly Dodge” look. Its true there’s more than a little Viper in the nose, and there’s no denying the hotness of a neon orange two-seater. The Circuit still boasts Dodge’s all-electric drivetrain, complete with 150-200 miles of range. Performance numbers aren’t too shabby either – serving up a sub 5-second naught to 60 and 13 second quarter passes.

Hurst Dodge Viper

In celebration of its 50th year of making bad-ass cars more bad-ass, Hurst today released the first photos and information of its new limited-edition Dodge Viper.

The very first example is sprayed in flat gold paint—in honor of Hurst’s golden anniversary—and features glossy black racing stripes. Like the rest of the 50-car production run, it’s fitted with polished 19- and 20-inch wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires as well as a Corsa exhaust system. The remaining 49 examples will be available in white or black with gold stripes, two classic Hurst color schemes that are also available on the Dodge Challenger that the company released at the most recent SEMA show.

Keep Reading: Hurst Dodge Viper - Car News

2009 Dodge Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4X2

Many consider the Dodge Aries K and Dodge Caravan the most important Chryslers of the past 30 years. We agree those two vehicles were a huge part of keeping the Pentastar in business, but we'd add the 1994 Dodge Ram to the list, as well. Dodge wasn't even competitive in the lucrative full-size truck market until the bold-faced '94 model hit dealerships, and Chrysler's light-duty pickup has held on to 3rd place in truck sales ever since. The Ram constantly finished in the money until the all-new Toyota Tundra hit the scene. Toyota's first serious try at a full-size pickup, coupled with the hot-selling Tacoma, outsold the Ram and Dakota combined for the first time in 2008.
Luckily for Team Pentastar, Dodge had an answer to the Tundra waiting in the wings. The 2009 Dodge Ram brings more power, more refinement and plenty of gadgets to the pickup truck party. The Ram looks like a real man's truck, with a forward-leaning front grille that's as big as a Toyota Yaris, and a unique coil spring suspension that enables this 5,000 pound truck to drive more like a sedan on regular roads than a rough-and-tumble work truck. There is no question that the 2009 Dodge Ram is far better than the model it replaces, but does it have what it takes to compete with the Tundra, Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150? We took a loaded Laramie Quad Cab into the Autoblog Garage to find out.

Our 2009 Dodge Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4x2 in Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat came loaded with a $44,140 price tag. It came equipped with four full doors, leather seats, navigation, moon roof, and the innovative RamBox among its many options. The most expensive option was the crew cab configuration itself, which allows seating for five very full-sized adults.

Before we go any further, we want you to know that we didn't tow anything with our Ram, and the closest we got to testing payload was a set of golf clubs, six folding chairs and a wood table. We did, however, test the Ram as an everyday driver, keeping a keen eye on comfort, performance and style.

The '94 Dodge Ram carved its niche in the pickup truck market with big rig styling. For 2009, the exterior design gets aggressive and more sophisticated at the same time. Looking at the Ram head-on is like staring down the class bully after tossing your chocolate milk at him. Our Laramie tester came with a standard chrome bumper to match the massive chrome cross-hair grille. Lording over the grille is the largest Ram's head to ever take the lead on a Dodge pickup. The Ram's new hood is more shapely than the model it replaces, too, with a large power dome framing up that forward leaning grille and a second scoop that adds more space for the HEMI V8 below. The Ram's headlamps are stamped into sheetmetal that flows into the bulging front wheel wells, adding to an already athletic appearance.

The 2009 Ram also adds an industry first optional storage space on each side of the bed. Dodge calls this clever storage space RamBox, and it's lockable, weather-proof and large enough to fit a set of golf clubs. RamBox is a nifty feature, but we're guessing it won't be as popular as we originally thought. First off, it costs $1,895, which is a steep price to pay for covered storage. The RamBox also takes up the usable bed space underneath the rails. That may not be a big deal for the Ram owner that doesn't use his or her truck for work, but many use every square inch of their truck bed.

Dodge engineers did a great job of making their bread and butter pickup truck look as good or better than any full-size truck on the market. It's on the inside, though, where the new Ram really shines. The Ram bucks Chrysler's trend of 'cheaper is better' interior design with high quality materials, well thought-out ergonomics and seats fit for a king. A big and tall king. Stepping into the Ram for the first time, we were shocked at how well put together this pickup truck really is. Could this interior possibly come from the same company that also gave us the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Caliber? The dash materials are soft and supple, even besting the look and feel of competitors like the Ford F-150.

As good as the Ram interior is, it's not without its drawbacks. For one, Ford out-packaged the new Ram by adding a completely flat floor in front of the F-150's second row of seats. The Ram makes due with lumpier, more traditional flooring that inhibits the ability to haul large objects away from the elements. Getting into our Laramie tester was a challenge, too. Without a sidestep, we had to leverage the Ram's steering wheel for entry. The sidestep is available as an option, so we suggest checking that box if you're in the market for a new Ram. The Ram also falls behind with a smallish navigation screen that's dwarfed by some of the new screens nestled in the center stacks of the competition. The nav system is intuitive to use, however, so function counts for something.

Chrysler marketing is known for its clever naming schemes like RamBox and Sto 'N Go. For the new Ram, we'd like to suggest Sho N' Go because it looks damn good and, thanks to a greatly improved HEMI V8, it goes pretty well, too. The 5.7L HEMI engine gains 45 horsepower for 2009, bumping the power quotient to 390 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The power was increased through the use of stronger cylinder heads and variable valve timing. We were thrilled with the Ram's straight-line acceleration, and the roar of the legendary HEMI caused us to test its limits often. The Ram's five-speed automatic falls one cog short of the competition, but we really didn't want for an extra gear. The automatic provided smooth, predictable shifts, and when pushed hard cut through gears plenty fast enough for any sporty pickup. The 5.7L V8 also has Chrysler's MDS system, which shuts off four cylinders at highway speeds. The system is pretty aggressive and the fuel-saving tech kicked in at speeds of up to 75 miles-per-hour.

Dodge takes pride in the fact that its Ram is faster than the domestic competition. Dodge even claims better fuel economy when towing 5,000 pounds while still reaching 60 mph in less time. The Ram doesn't keep up with Ford and Chevy in one category, though: towing. The Ram can haul 9,100 lbs in its strongest configuration, which is over 1,000 pounds less than the competition. The Ram also falls far short of the F-150 in payload with an 1,850 lb capacity that falls far short of Ford's 3,030 lb capacity.

The culprit for the deficiency in capability is, in part, the Ram's unique multi-link coil spring suspension. The single stage suspension setup was chosen by Dodge to give the new Ram superior ride and handling on the road. On that front, we say "Mission accomplished." The Ram drives like a well-heeled wagon, soaking up bumps in the road and delivering a glassy-smooth ride reminiscent of a Lincoln Town Car. Driving the Ram is almost like playing a racing game with the rumble function turned off; it's gaming room smooth. That's great for the casual truck driver that just wants something big, bedded and cozy. But we're guessing the hard-core truck buyer who makes money with his pickup would prefer a stronger suspension to a smoother ride.

The 2009 Dodge Ram is still a very strong entry from the guys and gals in Auburn Hills. It looks great, performs like a track car on growth hormones and drives like a well mannered SUV. While it appears the new Ram was developed more for the boat-towing, camper-hauling types, we don't think this Dodge would be out of place on a construction site. It doesn't have the job-site credentials of the Silverado or F-150, but you should probably be looking at heavy duty pickups if you're regularly towing more than 9,100 lbs, and Dodge has a new heavy duty 2500 on the way. Now, if we can just get the team responsible for the Ram's interior to give a makeover to the rest of Chrysler's lineup, Team Pentastar may be on to something.

Dodge Viper ACR on dyno: More power than advertised

There's really only one way to get an accurate measure of a car's horsepower, and that's by strapping it on a proper dyno. Even then, not all dyno's produce the same results, but in our numbers-driven society, we'll take what we can get. Two of the fiercest 'Ring competitors are the new Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Viper ACR, which currently holds the unofficial fastest lap record with a blistering time of 7:22.1. Wondering how they stack up power-wise? According to reports on DragTimes, the duo are pretty darn close with the naturally-aspirated Dodge posting an impressive 546 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque compared to the supercharged ZR1's 549.9 horsepower and 500 lb-ft.
Considering that both vehicles use a six-speed stick and power the rear wheels, drivetrain losses should be similar, so these figures are relatively comparable and they prove once again that the horsepower wars are alive and well. For what it's worth, Dodge officially (under) rates the ACR at 600 horsepower, and an estimated 15% loss through the drivetrain would put this beast at an actual 642 horses. Thanks for the tip, FikseGTS!

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic launches today at $34,005

All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Adds More Nostalgic Flavor to Modern American Muscle Car
All-new R/T Classic pays homage to Dodge Challengers of yesteryear

• Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features unique throwback design cues
• Legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 delivers zero to 60 mph performance in less than six seconds
• Six-speed manual transmission features performance-tuned dual exhaust with "low restriction" bottle resonators for optimum throatiness
• Functional dual hood scoops are new to R/T Classic and stay true to Dodge Challenger's heritage
• Original B5 Blue returns from the Chrysler paint code archive

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 16, 2009 -
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics-unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic goes further with even more memorable blast-from-the-past design cues. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic starts at $34,005 (including $725 destination) and is available for ordering now at Dodge dealerships nationwide.
"Our all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is more than a modern-day muscle machine, it pays homage to one of the most storied nameplates in automotive history," said Dan Knott, Vice President-Car / Minivan / SRT Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "With heritage-inspired dual-wide body-side R/T stripes, original 'Challenger' heritage badging and the newest generation of our legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, the new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic delivers the greatness of our pony car past with advanced fuel-efficient muscle."
Based on the powerful 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic not only delivers a menacing look and premium equipment-its powertrain delivers an unforgettable punch. With dual throwback A-line body-side R/T stripes, 'Challenger' fender badging in classic script, large 20-inch polished-chrome heritage wheels with all-season performance tires, classic egg-crate grille with heritage 'R/T' badge, body-color rear spoiler and chromed fuel-filler door-the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is unmistakable.
"Dodge Challenger has a rich performance heritage and the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic encompasses numerous technologies that allow great on-road performance while delivering proven-quality and refinement to ensure its place in the Dodge pony car history," said Knott.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic tucks its legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine under a long, raised performance hood with functional hood scoops to increase engine cooling. The newest generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine features dual variable-cam timing (VCT) and dual ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder) to increase power and torque, while improving refinement and efficiency.
When paired with the Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features the performance-minded Track Pak's precision-shift "pistol-grip" shifter, bright pedals, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with defeatable traction control, Hill Start Assist (HSA), four-wheel disc performance braking system and an anti-spin 3.92 differential. A performance-tuned dual exhaust optimizes engine back pressure and exhaust throatiness by replacing the standard under-floor muffler with two low-restriction bottle resonators. The result, a powerful 376 horsepower (280 kW) and 410 lb.-ft. of torque (556 N•m) that can accelerate the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.
An available five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick provides efficiency and responsiveness in the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic. An aggressive first-gear ratio provides outstanding launch performance, while the transmission's fully-adaptive electronic control delivers more responsiveness without harshness.
When paired with the automatic transmission, the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 includes the fuel-saving multi-displacement system (MDS) allowing Dodge Challenger R/T Classic to operate economically on four cylinders, or produce 372 horsepower (277 kW) and 401 lb.-ft. of torque (544 N•m) when all eight cylinders are needed.
On the interior, the trapezoidal theme of the door-panel cove and gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted shifter console are inspired by the original Dodge Challenger. Inspiration from the past continues with a "four bomb" gauge cluster with deep easy-to-read white faces. Premium leather-trimmed bucket seats with heat are well-bolstered and finished with French-seamed stitching. The advanced uconnect gps with voice recognition, navigation with real-time traffic and Universal Customer Interface (UCI) is available on the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared with the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.)-equal to the Dodge Charger-the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic offers comfort and functionality.
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is available in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Stone White and three Dodge heritage colors-HEMI® Orange, TorRed and B5 Blue. Dodge dealerships nationwide are now accepting orders for the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic.
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Production
Production of the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic will start in February 2009 at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the award-winning and quality-proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.
All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics-unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology-to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. The Dodge Challenger accommodates five-passengers in a two-door coupe produced from the company's proven rear-wheel-drive platform. With three models of head-turning styling, two legendary HEMI® V-8 engines choices, more than 25 safety and security features and modern amenities including uconnect gps with voice-activated navigation system and real-time traffic available-the 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the brand's "bold, powerful and capable" credo.
Dodge Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and sales-leading, fifth generation minivan in 2009. This year, Dodge will add to the award-winning Ram lineup with the introduction of the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and 3500 Chassis Cab.
Dodge introduced several new vehicles in 2008, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment to feature the all-new Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance safety systems.
Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008.

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6-Speed Manual Test Drive

“A SIX-SPEED MANUAL MEANS MORE DRIVING FUN”

After a successful launch in 2008, Dodge comes back with more goodies that will further warm the heart of any Challenger enthusiast.

A new High Performance Red Clearcoat paint option is now available, and the classic B5 Blue paint option will be available later in the year.

On the inside a red accent stripe with accent stitching is now standard on the Viper styled seatbacks, dual cup-holders now have LED lighting ringing the top of the holders so you don’t spill your drinks while driving at night and a self dimming rearview mirror option gives you more convenience and safety. Bright aluminum faced foot pedals make the interior even more sporty looking and they feel better than the rubber foot pedals found in the Challenger SRT 8 with the five-speed automatic.

Real enthusiast fun can now be had with the new Tremec 6060 six-speed manual transmission with Hill Start Assist. This new Tremec features a dual clutch with dual OD ratios in 5th and 6th gears. 1st and 2nd gears have triple synchronizing cones, while 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gears have double synchronizing cones. Changing gears has never been smoother. The Tremec 6060 six-speed auto comes with GAGS-Computer Assisted Gear Shifting to increase fuel mileage. When you give light or hard throttle, you go straight into 2nd gear, and when you give medium throttle (20-25mph), you go into 4th gear directly to keep rpm down and increase fuel mileage up to 10% in stop and go traffic.

A remote shifter connects the transmission to the classic ‘pistol grip’ shifter with carbon fiber weave and aluminum top. It fits perfectly in your right hand.

A new standard limited-slip differential has carbon clutch packs built into each side of the differential. When torque is transmitted through the differential, the clutch packs engage to prevent wheel slip. The greater the torque going to the wheels, the greater the ‘locking effect’ sending torque to the side that is needed. The limited-slip housing is a lightweight aluminum die-casting offering improved thermal and weight saving advantages. The final drive ratio is 3:92. A new 32-tooth rear hub and baring assembly is stronger than the 2008 Challenger SRT 8.

For even more fun and excitement you can shut down the ESP stability traction control program to more easily spin the rear wheels and let them slide out to shave the cornering during spirited driving times.

Finally, with the six-speed manual mpg specs are improved to 14mpg/city, 22mpg/highway, up from the 13mpg/city and 18mpg/highway specs for the five-speed automatic.

Way to go Dodge!

COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Price: MSRP $39,820
Type: Large Coupe
Where Built: Canada
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 197.7 in.
Width: 75.7 in.
Height: 57 in.
Wheel Base: 116 in.
Ground Clearance: 5.5 in.
Curb Weight: 4140 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5300 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 39.3 in.
Front Hip Room: 54.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58.2 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.9 in.
Rear Hip Room: 51.4 in.
Front Leg Room: 42 in.
Rear Leg Room: 32.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 16.2 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 6.1 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 425 hp
Max Horsepower: 6000 rpm
Torque: 420 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4800 rpm
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 38.9 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Manual: 14 mpg / 22 mpg / mpg
Automatic: 13 mpg / 19 mpg / mpg
Range in Miles:
Manual: 266 mi. / 418 mi. / mi. Automatic: 247 mi. / 361 mi. / mi.

Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler Electric Vehicle Concepts - Video

Chrysler shows it has a slew of electric vehicles in the pipeline, including a Chevy Volt competitor, and they’re coming to a road near you soon.

 

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