Forums
RSS
Dealers
2009 Dodge Challenger: First Drive
Email this page to your friend:
2009 Dodge Challenger
The 2009 Dodge Challenger line, which goes on sale in September, now includes a V-6-powered SE, a 5.7-liter HEMI-powered R/T, and the 6.1-liter HEMI SRT8. To the delight of enthusiasts everywhere, Dodge also made the tough Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual gearbox standard on the R/T and SRT8. This is the same gearbox as used in the Viper, and harking back to the 1970 Challenger, the shifter is topped with a pistol-style grip--well, it's kind of pistol grip, but nothing like the handle that Hurst provided on the original.
Details on the expanded pony car line follow: the 2009 Challenger SE's 3.5-liter V-6 produces 250 horsepower and with its standard four-speed automatic, delivers 0-60-mph times in the high 7-second range. This combination achieves EPA numbers of 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. We put some serious miles on an SE and found it plenty peppy and relatively refined. The grearbox shifts smoothly, and the powertrain is a good match to the suspension that we deem sporty but not harsh. While we understand the need to keep the price of the SE low, with fuel economy growing a concern for many buyers, the improved mileage gained by having a five-speed transmission might have been a good idea.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T is a car many enthusiasts have been waiting for. Dodge is planning on it being their best-selling model. With the improved 5.7-liter HEMI producing 376 horsepower (standard six-speed manual) or 372 hp (optional five-speed automatic), the R/T is a runner. Sixty mph comes up in the mid-5-second range and Dodge claims a 14-second quarter-mile time. Top speed is limited to 138 mph. On the road, the HEMI blasts to its horsepower peak at a modest 5,150 rpm (manual) with so much gusto that it feels like the engine could use a higher rpm limit. Thankfully, the rev limiter at 5,700 rpm is soft, so you don't feel too stupid bumping into it. According to Chrysler powertrain experts, the HEMI's valvetrain doesn't like spinning too fast, hence the modest redline.
Being cognizant of customer concerns regarding responsible fuel economy, the R/T's HEMI benefits from efficiency gains totaling 4 percent compared to the same engine used in 2008 Dodge products. Mileage is an identical 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway regardless of transmission. We're surprised that the manual's figure isn't higher even though the gearbox employs a 1-4 skip shift feature under light throttle applications.
There's not much new regarding the highest-performance Challenger, the 2009 SRT8. Enthusiasts will certainly welcome the availability of the manual transmission. This gearbox transforms the SRT8 into the performance car enthusiasts knew it could be. We clicked off many laps at the tight Englishtown Raceway road course, and the responsiveness of the SRT8 with the manual was excellent. This is still a heavy car by sports car standards (about 4,000 pounds), but you can make it hustle. With 425 horsepower and the ability to decommission the traction control, steering with the throttle is easy, the Challenger SRT8 makes you wish you could drive in a sequel to Vanishing Point. For those tracking such things, the SRT8's mileage is 13/19 mpg for the automatic and 14/22 mpg for the new six-speed manual.
Practically, the 2009 Dodge Challenger should work well for people who want to drive something with iconic styling that has more than a modicum of practicality. The Challenger's trunk is huge (16.2 cubic feet), while the backseat is usable but not spacious. A Mustang Bullitt was waiting for us after returning from our Challenger drive, and the Challenger's backseat is certainly larger than the Ford, especially in width and headroom. The editor writing this review is 5'10" and found that he could (just barely) sit behind himself in the Challenger, but would not have wanted to be trapped in the backseat for an extended drive (more than an hour).
As far as gripes, we also found the exhaust on the R/T to be a bit incessant. While the rumble of the V-8 is music to our ears, at cruising speeds, its volume is a little too loud and gets to be a droning irritant. We think most owners will simply turn up the radio.
Dodge hasn't fielded a competitor to the Ford Mustang for decades. For 2009, Dodge offers Challengers that line up against the base Mustang, the GT/Bullitt, and the Shelby GT500. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will be here soon enough, and when these three nameplates are back on the road together again, American stop lights will be way more fun.
Responses (6 total)
By Keifer | Posted: Oct 30th 2008, 02:42:15 AM
Okay Steve you can beak all you want but Toyota and Honda all their making are family cars, vans trucks whatever, but dodge is making a knew look on things and trying to bring back the muscle car ara. But people like you don't understand that because your obveiously not a car guy but I am and I'm sadened by the fact their making knew aproch on cars like hybrids wich in my opinion are totaly stupid!!!!!! People are all worried about green house gasses and global warming they don't see the real picture IT DOESN'T EXIST!!! Gas prices are dropping rappedly becasue of the U.S. so your opinion dosn't really make any sence so before you stat beacking all us so called gear head get you facts strait!!!
By Steve L. | Posted: Sep 1st 2008, 09:08:15 AM
You almost have to laugh at what auto designers are doing nowadays, mainly what I'm what I'm referring to is this whole, silly retro infusion in auto designs. Re-popping 40 year old auto designs with 21st century chunk is absurd! The original Challenger was a relatively pleasant looking automobile. It was by no means so fabulous an automobile to so heavily replicate for the '09 version. As were seeing gasoline at $4.00 a gallon and big, thirsty V8's plopped under hoods once again, I can only predict that the '09 Challenger will have a fringe appeal to the rapidly aging baby boomers and elderly gearheads. Even with an economical V6 under the Challenger's hood, I doubt this car will have mass appeal to new car buyers, due to it's "updated" 40 year old styling. Right now Chrysler is reverting into another slump in sales. If Chrysler wants to remain competitive, they're going to have to get their heads out of the sand and put some emphasis on vehicles that people, not a fringe, but a majority really want. Ever wonder why Toyota and Honda are doing so well? Yes, you can curse me all you want regarding Honda and Toyota, but the fact is that they're building products people want, what most people want. GM, Ford and Chrysler need to realize this; not to build products that appeal to a fringe of the car buying public. I personally have nothing against Ford, GM and Chrysler, but look at the economic state Ford is in. GM is, of course, at the top of the financial ladder for a domestic auto company and Chrysler is beginning to sag once again. Chrysler's mini-van sales are about the only thing that's really moving sales wise. Most of what Chrysler builds sells to fleet sales and as company vehicles. Aside from the Caliber which is selling quite well, even here in California. So, you can bitch and shout and pull your hair out all you want regarding my comments, but all in all you really have to look at the big picture; the future and what the mass car buying public really wants and not delve into the long, long, lonnnnnnnnnng ago past to conjure up a "new" idea for an automobile.
By JKD | Posted: Aug 18th 2008, 10:19:07 PM
Dave - Yes, I see that Audi interior on the SE version with the 4-speed automatic... Get the Asians with the margins :) Another wonderful idea that will work for one year (mainly for the dealers asking for the market adjustment) before Chrysler folds for not being to deliver a single mainstream car.
By Tom L | Posted: Aug 18th 2008, 08:22:55 PM
This is the best move for the big three here in the states. Supply cars that evoke passion in car guys and girls and leave the family movers and a2b transportation to the Asians. You can get a better profit margin delivering an exciting car you just have to put together a business model that supports the lower volume said profit margin will deliver.
By Dave | Posted: Aug 18th 2008, 06:24:26 PM
Hopefully this is the start of the NEW CHRYSLER that they have been saying. I drove the car and it is world class! The interior is nothing like I have ever seen in a Chrysler. Absolutly stunning with high quality materials. I heard rummors a while ago that they will have interiors up to Audi levels & I believe this now. The future is looking better for the American automakers!
By Bill Burke | Posted: Aug 18th 2008, 05:12:45 PM
This is the car so many have been waiting for and the thought of three modern muscle cars is exciting. I saw two pre production 2009 Challenger R/Ts at the MoPar Nationals, all decked out in R/T stripes and they are absolutely beautiful. In my eye they are better in person than the SRT. I'm a loyal MoPar guy but I appreciate Ford and G.M. muscle, and three solid offering are good for all three. Now I hope this will translate into a new era of American auto industry prosperity. Yes the big three(note small letters)will do the right thing with the product line and get Americans back into American products. I personally have been waiting for the Challenger, and on this car, Chrysler has really delivered.
Post a comment: