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Viper V-10 Debuts in Dodge Challenger Concept

Viper V-10 Debuts in Dodge Challenger Concept

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty PadgettMarty Padgett October 15th, 2008

Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept

Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept

Enlarge Photo

In what promises to be a bragging-rights, smoky burnout extravaganza, Chrysler today announces an all-aluminum 8.4-liter V-10 under the hood of its '09 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept headed to this year's SEMA. The engine is the same enthusiastic motivator for the brute-force Viper, and in Challenger guise it supplies 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque.

This kind of fire-breathing concept is quite apropos for SEMA's miles and miles of bored-and-stroked bliss, and a wonderful relief (if guilty pleasure) for us car guys and gals who respect hybrids and E-REVs while pining for the horsepower/cubic inch wars of yore. But we hope Dodge has done something to remedy the V-10's strange, reedy exhaust note, which will sound downright puny next to the glorious, burbling 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 found in the Challenger SRT8. Power is great, but an appropriately ferocious soundtrack makes the experience complete.

Says Dodge: "this new halo concept delivers the well-known SRT credo of benchmark performance." The Challenger already looked good; this version looks like it traveled from straight from the past just to pick a fight with the hi-po versions of the upcoming 2010 Chevy Camaro and current Ford Mustang. Bathed mostly in Tornado Red paint, the SRT10 also features a lightweight carbon-fiber deck lid with the flared nostrils of Dodge's famous "shaker hood," which the company says is a nod to the '70 HEMI Cuda. A brake upgrade and Bilstein shocks all the way around complete the mechanical tweaks. Inside, sport seats, carbon-fiber accents, and (groan) a red engine start button are present. Remind us again what was wrong with firing up eight-plus liters of engine with a satisfying twist of the ignition key?

This concept looks mean, promises to deliver on the track, and is a welcome mechanical splurge from automakers who, in tough times, have resorted to huge dubs and blinged-out designers to lend cred to their vehicles (Toyota Venza SportLux, anyone?). But please, Dodge, figure out a way to add some rumble to that exhaust.--Colin Mathews Dodge Challenger SRT10 ConceptEnlarge PhotoIn what promises to be a bragging-rights, smoky burnout extravaganza, Chrysler today announces an all-aluminum 8.4-liter V-10 under the hood of its '09 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept headed to this year's SEMA. The engine is the same enthusiastic motivator for the brute-force Viper, and in Challenger guise it supplies 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. This kind of fire-breathing concept is quite apropos for SEMA's miles and miles of bored-and-stroked bliss, and a wonderful relief (if guilty pleasure) for us car guys and gals who respect hybrids and E-REVs while pining for the horsepower/cubic inch wars of yore. But we hope Dodge has done something to remedy the V-10's strange, reedy exhaust note, which will sound downright puny next to the glorious, burbling 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 found in the Challenger SRT8. Power is great, but an appropriately ferocious soundtrack makes the experience complete. Says Dodge: "this new halo concept delivers the well-known SRT credo of benchmark performance." The Challenger already looked good; this version looks like it traveled from straight from the past just to pick a fight with the hi-po versions of the upcoming 2010 Chevy Camaro and current Ford Mustang. Bathed mostly in Tornado Red paint, the SRT10 also features a lightweight carbon-fiber deck lid with the flared nostrils of Dodge's famous "shaker hood," which the company says is a nod to the '70 HEMI Cuda. A brake upgrade and Bilstein shocks all the way around complete the mechanical tweaks. Inside, sport seats, carbon-fiber accents, and (groan) a red engine start button are present. Remind us again what was wrong with firing up eight-plus liters of engine with a satisfying twist of the ignition key? This concept looks mean, promises to deliver on the track, and is a welcome mechanical splurge from automakers who, in tough times, have resorted to huge dubs and blinged-out designers to lend cred to their vehicles (Toyota Venza SportLux, anyone?). But please, Dodge, figure out a way to add some rumble to that exhaust.--Colin Mathews

Tags: Enthusiasts, SEMA

Posted in: 2009, Dodge, Coupes, Concept Cars, Challenger



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Responses (7 total)

  1. By Bill Burke #1, Posted: 10/15/2008

    Thanks MoPar!Just what a MoPar junkie like me needed to lift my spirits. With all the talk of Chrysler/G.M., Chrysler/Nissan, Chrysler/Anyone mergers, Pentastar Spirits are pretty low. By the way, the 70 Challenger also had a "shaker" hood, not just the Cuda. What's most important is that the performance people at Chrysler are still alive and well. I got my first look at a 2009 Challenger R/T at the MoPar Nationals and it was a stunner. Photographs do not do this car justice. Lets not write the obituary on this proud and yes, even in these difficult times, innovative auto company just yet. A junkie never gives up on his addiction, and mine is MoPars. Even the "Pennsylvania Pooper" is rooting for a Chrysler comeback.

  2. By Michael H #2, Posted: 10/16/2008

    Wow!
    Please Chrysler, if you are going to merge, merge with Ford. At least they can use your brands. All GM will do is keep Jeep and kill off the rest.

  3. By  Wayne #3, Posted: 10/16/2008

    So my first thought when Chrysler showed the first Challenger concept is it's nice, but almost too much like the '70 Challenger. Then I saw the cars in person! WOW, what a great looking car. Now I know this is a concept, but this would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun to have with the V10. I'll take one please, and make mine SubLime!

  4. By WDP #4, Posted: 10/16/2008

    Cool. Hope they can make the hood fit before the show. And amen about the push button starter. Enough with the gadgets already.

  5. By Ed #5, Posted: 10/16/2008

    Jeep is not the most valuable part of Chrysler.
    It's the MINIVANS. After all, Chrysler invented them.
    A third reason for GM to buy Chrysler would be so no Nissans or VWs or TOyota 9?!) does, and gets a foothold int he US with all the dealer base etc.
    Of course, FOrd could buy Chrysler too, and has more cash to do so due to the $23 billion line of credit Mullaly got by selling this and that etc.

  6. By Dave #6, Posted: 10/16/2008

    They still have balls!!! This does not look like a company in dire straights. They are car guys to the core and God willing if the market turns around I thing they will be back big time!

  7. By Jay #7, Posted: 11/6/2008

    I'd rather see (and buy) the SRT-10 body and chassis, except with a 6.4L 540hp Hemi. Oh and delete the red button for me too...

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