2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

• Competes with: Ford Mustang, Nissan 350Z
• Looks like: A 1970s muscle car
• Drivetrain: 425-hp, 6.1-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: SRT8 this spring, base Challengers in 2009

The production Dodge Challenger is so similar to the concept from last year that it certainly feels like we’ve seen this car before. The changes to the production model are significant, of course — different grille and taillight clusters — but the overwhelming sense of nostalgia applied to a design probably hasn’t been so extreme since Ford redid the Thunderbird in 2002.

This Challenger may face the same doomed existence as that convertible, too. While the exterior is certainly muscular and the engine will no doubt offer the same thrills we’ve enjoyed in other SRT8s, like the Dodge Charger and Magnum, the interior looks to leave a lot to be desired. It looks almost identical to the Charger and Magnum, and neither is our favorite to sit in.

At a sticker price of $37,995, the first year’s allotment of Challenger SRT8s has already been spoken for, but Dodge should still be worrying about its second year of production. That’s when the base model will have to compete with a new Chevy Camaro and revised Ford Mustang.

We’ll try to stay positive for a moment though and point out that the SRT8 comes in just three colors with racing stripes — orange, silver and black — and will hit 60 mph in the low five-second range. Take a look inside and out in the pictures below and let us know what you think of the Challenger.

Comments

Well, the interior is better than the previous Chargers (06-07) and Magnums(05-07). I think they should have replaced the steering wheel at least with a cool looking three spoke one though.

0-60 "in the low five-second range" is pretty weak for that engine. It shows that the car really needs a manual transmission.

Should Chrysler and GM be concerned that there are people like myself who are more interested in Hyundai's forthcoming musclecar than their own historic nameplates? Seriously, Hyundai.

The Exterior concept is Great! The interior is a complete miss and Dodge knows it! They all but ignored the interior in their press release and for good reason. It Stinks. This looks like a luxery car interior not a muscle Car. It is Described as comfortable, Comfortable? not Hot! not radical, not even cool, its comfortable zzzzzzzz. It is the same enterior for the Chargers and the 300's for crying out loud! And they want to call this a Special eddition!? What is so special about it other than they are making it 3 months earlier than the 2009's and it has a numbered dash! Want to make it special than change the interior to reflect the concept car! Come on Dodge just once step up to the plate and swing for the fence! For crying out loud people are paying $5k + over your sticker price to get what they thought was going to be a real looker inside and out! Go back to the Original concept design of the bold black ribed designed seats. Put the 3 spoke steering wheel in and give us a muscle look at a new dash! Give us a bold interior design the fit a bold car. By the way at 4100 pounds it is not a Pony, or even a "Thoroughbred" bred as they prefer to use, it is a PIG! I thought your commercials said you are listening to us, but I have not seen any one from corporate Dodge get on these blogs and tell us you are evening reading these things!

love the car but im with the last guy the concept interior is wayyy better

the exterior exceeds that of the concept.the interior is a diapointment,a new steering wheel,slightly modify the dash,and go back a little closer to the concepts seats.thats all it needs to be spot on. srt8 ,black ,manual,in 2009!

The only problem with buying a retromobile like this is you also get the retro gas mileage, which I don't think anyone wants. The first time a Challenger owner gets smoked by an all electric Tesla (0-60 in 4 seconds) he'll know he truly is living in the past.

when is that going to be red?you can sit back make a rope out of hemp,and commune with nature.ill be having fun in the last of the real hot rods.so you go plug in and smoke some mother nature mmaannnn

Rocinante,
The Tesla goes on sale this year, so you will soon see articles in car magazines featuring the Tesla humiliating the Challenger.

be serios red,1 HUNDRED GRAND,for what looks like a kit car you build in your garage.thats 2 1/2 challengers.dont compare apples to orenges ,dont compare that overpriced electric go-cart to a real car.

Dodge Challenger: 0 to 100 mph in 17 seconds
Tesla Roadster: 0 to 100 in 12.5 seconds

That doesn't sound like a kit car.

Correction:
I apologize for misreading a road test published elsewhere on the Challenger: The 17 seconds mentioned above is the predicted time for the Challenger to go 0 to 100 back to 0, not 0 to 100 mph. That means the Challenger's time for 0 to 100 will be much closer to the Tesla's 12.5 seconds, though I haven't been able to find anywhere where that statistic exists yet.

So the long wait is over. I was very excited when I saw the concept car couple of years ago. However, as always, these companies just don't get it. They had to blow the whole interior. Why could not they stick with the concept interior is beyond me. Obviously the company is strapped for cash , so they used the same steering wheel and shifter from other models.Does not suit the car at all. Well, that made up my mind not to spend the money. That is just bad business.