----  Specifications  ----

Price		$37,995	Production		--
Engine		6.1 liter HEMI V8	Weight		--
Aspiration		natural	Torque		420 lb-ft
HP		425 hp	HP/Weight		--
HP/Liter		69.7 hp per liter	1/4 mile		under 14 seconds
0-62 mph		low 5 seconds	Top Speed		--

(from Chrysler Press Release)  The Ultimate Modern American Muscle Coupe

• Iconic Dodge muscle car returns after a 35-year absence

• Design stays true to Challenger heritage while delivering a host of modern amenities and “race inspired, street legal” SRT DNA

• Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque

• Each 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features limited-edition, numbered dash plaque

Chicago, Feb 6, 2008 - The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger brings what pony car fanatics crave: ground shaking performance, unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger, world-class ride and handling characteristics and benchmark braking. On top of that it features a wide variety of modern amenities and technology designed to delight a new generation of driving enthusiasts.
“The all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 is engineered to give customers everything they want in a modern muscle machine,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “The new version of Dodge’s American classic boasts tire-smoking performance and head-turning design while offering a wide array of state-of-the-art technology, such as GPS navigation, ‘Keyless Go’ entry, a MyGIG™ infotainment system and UConnect hands-free communication.”

Developed by Chrysler’s in-house performance engineering organization, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 was engineered with a focus on the five pillars of every SRT vehicle: bold exterior design that resonates with the brand image, a race-inspired interior, world-class ride and handling across a dynamic range, a standout powertrain and benchmark braking.

Dodge will offer the limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 in three colors: HEMI® Orange, Bright Silver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. Each two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe will be produced with a numbered dash plaque, carbon fiberlike hood stripes and will be powered by SRT’s 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque.

With a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,995 (including $675 destination), the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 arrives in Dodge showrooms this spring.

The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 vehicles will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant.

Performance targets for the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 include a 0–60 mph time in the low 5-second range, 0–100–0 mph in less than 17 seconds, a ¼-mile elapsed time of less than 14 seconds, 60–0 mph braking distance of approximately 100 feet, and a skid pad performance of 0.88 g.

The Dodge Challenger Rentals and the Plymouth Barracuda were released in 1970 on Chrysler Corporation's new "E-body" platform, marking the introduction of Dodge's first true Pony Car. While General Motors and Ford Motor Company may have launched their Pony Cars earlier, Dodge proved that you cannot rush perfection. The Plymouth Barracuda had been in production with a very different look since 1964, but the Challenger was an all new model line, and it was very popular since it's inception. The Challenger was intended to be a high performance, high horsepower head turner, on both the street and track, yet it offered lower performance engines to make the Challenger affordable, and practical for everyone. The Challenger, offered in both a coupe and a convertible, was very popular, and with such engine offerings as the Hemi, it quickly made a place for itself in the record books, but due to the rising cost of fuel, and the influx of economy cars, the Challenger ended it's run in 1974. The Challenger name reappeared in 1978 through 1983 as a rebadged form of the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, but it was nothing like the Challengers of the early 1970s. Time went on, and Dodge found itself without a rear wheel drive performance car for some 30 years, (excluding the super-car Dodge Viper) and even though Dodge had released the reborn Dodge Charger for the 2005 model year, many were disappointed in its new 4-door sedan styling, and demanded the return of a true Pony Car. Then in the summer of 2005, rumors began to fly about an upcoming rear wheel drive, high performance V8 car, and those rumors attached the name "Challenger" to this phantom Pony Car. These rumors came to validation in early January of 2006 when magazines such as MPH debuted their pictures of the Dodge Challenger Concept, with quotes of a hopeful 2007 or 2008 model year release. A few weeks later, on January 14, 2006, the general public was officially introduced, in person to the awesome new Dodge Challenger Concept.

Dodge Challenger Rentals