2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8
More and more information about Chrysler's future product plans has been trickling out, and there are few juicy tidbits for Challenger fans.
Jalopnik is reporting that information leaked from a meeting between the manufacturer and its dealerships indicates that the next Challenger will gain some more power as well as the potential to have frighteningly fast acceleration, if Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles claims are to be believed. There are reports that Gilles is claiming that the next SRT8 will break the three-second barrier in terms of a 0-60 time.
There's no way to verify that claim without objective testing, but we can get a very good idea of the upcoming changes. For 2011, the SRT8 will get a 6.4-liter V-8 that makes 475 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A special-edition model dubbed 392 will get that same engine, while R/T models will continue to be powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 that makes 379 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The base V-6 car will have a 3.6-liter mill that makes 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. That 305 horsepower number brings it even with the V-6 Mustang. A Rallye V-6 model with additional features will also be available.
Interesting things are afoot for the next Challenger. So much for the theory that the recession and fuel-economy concerns would kill the Challenger after only two years. Looks like it's going to hang around for a little bit longer--and it won't be conceding any ground to its rivals.
[Jalopnik]