Dodge Challenger

Retro Dodge revealed

Legendary muscle car reborn in the shape of new Dodge Challenger.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By James Foxall

06th February 2008

Here's a challenger to the sports car elite. It’s Dodge’s new 6.1-litre muscle machine – and it will start rolling off the production line this spring.

The Challenger SRT-8 will combine BMW M3-rivalling performance with beefy American hot rod looks and should go on sale by the end of the year. It’s set to be the hottest model in the firm’s range and is available in only three colours: black, silver or vibrant orange. It’ll be well equipped too, with a sunroof, a hard drive for storing music and summer rather than all-season tyres as the only three available options.

Drivers who want the looks without quite as much punch will have the choice of two more engines to accompany the rear-wheel-drive chassis. The base model will have a 3.5-litre V6 and there will also be a 5.7-litre V8 version.

This roadgoing model is very close to the Challenger concept that appeared at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show. The only significant changes are the addition of a B-pillar for extra stiffness, while the tail-lights, door mirrors and grille have been tweaked for production. However, it won’t feel any less exclusive. The first 5,000 cars will have a dashboard-mounted plaque with their unique number engraved on it.

The Challenger will cost ,095, which is about £20,200. But before you get excited, bosses say it’s unlikely to come to the UK and there are currently no plans to build it in right-hand drive.