From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s-567604-209879
The fact that Dodge has brought back the Challenger - not just the
name, but the real deal car, fully modern but also completely faithful
to the original muscle car icon of the early '70s - makes me think
that maybe there is a god. (Or at least a motor god.) But then I
realize how doomed this magnificent beast is - and I realize there's
got to be a devil.
WHAT IT IS
The '09 Challenger is a large, rear-drive American muscle coupe built
to burn rubber and raise hell. Yes, there's a reasonably mild-mannered
V-6 SE version ($21,820) available, but everyone lusts after the V-8
powered R/T ($29,820) and the even more virile SRT8 ($39,820).
WHAT'S NEW
Everything. The reborn Challenger is Dodge's newest model.
WHAT'S GOOD
Looks like a restored 1970 Challenger; sounds like a restored 1970
Challenger; feels like a restored 19790 Challenger.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
As poorly put together as a 1970 Challenger.
ENGINES & PERFORMANCE
Three engines are available in the Challenger, one V-6 and two
versions of Chrysler's heavy-hitting 5.7 liter Hemi V-8. The standard
V-6 displaces 3.5 liters and makes 250 hp - which puts it right in the
middle, power-wise, between the Ford Mustang's standard 4.0 liter, 210
hp V-6 and the soon-to-arrive 2010 Chevy Camaro's 300 hp 3.6 liter
V-6.
Unlike the Mustang and Camaro, however, the Challenger's V-6 is not
offered with a manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is the
standard - and only - transmission you can get with this engine. The
zero to 60 time with this combo is about 8 seconds flat. Fuel economy
is 17 city, 25 highway - all decent numbers for a coupe that weighs
almost as much as a mid-sized SUV (about 4,000 pounds with driver).
The R/T (the letters stand for Road and Track) comes standard with
Dodge's potent 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 and your choice of five-speed
automatic or (optionally) a heavy-duty Tremec six-speed manual - with
Pistol Grip shifter, too. Manual cars also include Hill Start Assist
to keep novices from rolling backward on hills.
If you choose the automatic, your Hemi will make 370 hp. With the
stick, you get an extra 5 hp - 375 total. You also get a heavy-duty
limited slip rear axle, ESP "full off" switch (for righteous burnouts)
and bright pedal covers. As with the Challenger's V-6, the 5.7 Hemi's
output is midway between the Mustang GT's 4.6 liter V-8 (315 hp) and
the 2010 Camaro SS's 6.2 liter, 422 hp V-8.
Performance with the Hemi V-8 is up to muscle car snuff: 0-60 in the
mid-high 5 second range with a top speed over 150 mph. The
top-of-the-line SRT8 ups the ante to 425 hp (edging out the Camaro SS
by 5 hp) with 0-60 capability right on the 5 second line. High 12
second quarter miles are within reach - which means the '09 Challenger
SRT8 is quicker (and faster) than any classic-era Challenger of the
early '70s.
SRT8s also come with high-effort steering, high-capacity Brembo
brakes, ultra-firm suspension and 20 inch wheels.
The V-8 is available with Chrysler's cylinder deactivation technology
- which helps fuel economy a little bit. But even with modern
technology, the '09 Challenger R/T drinks gas just like a classic 1970
Challenger: 16 MPGs in the city. Highway mileage, though, is better at
a possible 25 mpg (thanks to overdrive transmissions, mainly). Still,
if you drive this thing as intended, don't expect to average more than
mid-high teens. The SRT8 is even thirstier, of course.
Both versions of the 5.7 liter V-8 require premium fuel but the V-6 is
designed to run on regular unleaded.
RIDE & HANDLING/DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
If you grew up with big American muscle coupes you will love the
Challenger. It is a big, heavy beast that dominates its environment -
even V-6 versions. Although it is a coupe, the Challenger is nearly 7
inches longer, 4 inches wider - and about 200 pounds heavier - than a
Mercedes E-Class sedan.
If you were born after 1980, you will very likely have no experience
with such things - having grown up with FWD imports - and the sheer
size of the Challenger will take a little getting used to. But once
you do - and learn to trust the Challenger's excellent suspension and
impressive grip, you'll soon see what all the old timers mean when
they speak so lovingly of the He-cars of the '60s and '70s.
Also, there are acres of room inside - maybe not enough for five
people, as the Dodge PR materials tout - but you can put four people
in a Challenger. And a fifth would fit in the huge 16.2 cubic foot
trunk.
Driving the Challenger is a real treat. As the owner of a '70s-era
muscle car (a Pontiac Trans-Am) I felt right at home. Same big bruiser
feel - but with much better "put-togetherness." The only thing I take
issue with is that you can't get a manual transmission with the V-6 -
and that you have to pay extra to get it with the V-8.
STYLING & UTILITY
I always thought Ford did a really nice job incorporating retro
styling elements to the new Mustang but whoever is responsible for the
Challenger deserves a medal. There aren't just hints and echoes of the
original 1970 Challenger. The '09 could easily be mistaken for a
meticulously restored '70 Challenger - especially if you order yours
in one of the available day-glo colors with the optional stripe and
decal packages. It has the same jaunty strut, hungry-looking front end
with deep-set hooded headlights and prominent chin spoiler, up-arched
rear quarters and twin-scooped hood as the original. Just gorgeous. A
time-traveler. And they did it while also complying with all the
federal government's bumper-impact and crashworthiness rigmarole -
which may be a boon for safety but which make it exceedingly tough to
bring edgy shapes like this to production.
As mentioned earlier, the Challenger is a large car - and it has a
bigger trunk than many four-door sedans. The back seats are not the
easiest to access, but there is air between the front seat backs and
the bottom cushions of the rear seats. People - and not just kids -
can sit back there.
The fastback rear glass somewhat limits rearward vision and there is a
little bit of a blind spot at the B pillar near the rear quarter
glass. But it looks great and as with the car's outsized proportions,
you quickly get used to it.
Seat patterns, the canted toward the driver center console and the
trapezoidal shape of the dashpad also echo the early '70s - though
modernity shows through in the form of the optional LCD display for
the GPS/audio system (with MyGIG music hard drive) as well as the air
bag-equipped steering wheel.
QUALITY & SAFETY
There is another area where the '09 Challenger reminds me of 1970.
When I opened the trunk, I saw some fairly crude-looking assembly work
- specifically, where the rear quarter panels meet up with the trunk
shell. Dimpled spot welds and slathered on body sealer at the join
points. None of it was clear-coated, either. Several car companies
don't clear coat the door jambs, under the hood and trunk - in order
to save a few bucks per car. But it looks cheap. The Frankenstinian
welding/joining, though, really surprised me. I haven't seen anything
like it on a production car in literally 20-plus years. It's probably
not a functional issue, but t really reeks of slapdash assembly. You
would never in a million years see this kind of thing on a current (or
even recent) Japanese or European car. Or to be honest, even a GM or
Ford car. Very disappointing. Prospective buyers who see this may
react badly.
The rest of the car seemed ok - and Dodge's powertrains (the 3.5 V-6
and the 5.7 liter Hemi) have a good rep for quality and basic
soundness of design. The muscle car underpinnings should prove tough
and durable, too.
Base SE models don't come standard with either ABS or stability
control - though both can be ordered optionally. R/T and SRT8s get
both - and stability control is included on all trims.
The car's sheer size and mass confer a safety advantage even without
all the gewgaws. Like its forbears, this 4,000 pound hunk of burnin'
love would crinkle up a Civic like so much aluminum foil.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Dodge has proved it's possible to turn back time. If you missed out on
the original muscle car era and always wanted to find out what it was
like, now's your chance.
The only downside, of course, is the price. Even a base V-6 SE with a
few options can push close to $30k and a V-8 R/T with stick will run
you closer to $35k. The SRT8, at nearly $40k, is arguably over-priced.
You can get a Camaro SS with almost exactly as much power (422 hp) for
almost ten grand less ($30,245 vs. $39,820). Then again, I think the
Dodge kills the Camaro on looks. Just my opinion.
The point, though, is that for a brief little while, you've got a
window. If you have the cash - or can get someone to loan it to you -
it's now or probably never. Because unless things change dramatically
for the better, it's not likely we'll see a car like Challenger in
showrooms for another 40 years. If ever.
========
www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for
comments.