All 7,100 examples of the reborn Dodge Challenger produced for the 2008 model year will be equipped with the 6.1L Hemi V8 tuned by SRT coupled exclusively to a five-speed automatic. Those wanting their modern-day muscle car with a traditional manual transmission, complete with a clutch pedal in the footwell, will need to wait for 2009 Challengers, expected to ship before the year is out.
That manual, a six-speed unit, will be based on the current 600hp Viper’s Tremec 6060 transmission, ensuring enthusiasts it will be able to cope with the Challenger’s 435 horsepower and 420 lb-ft output, according to Automotive News. The 2009 Challenger line-up will see a new, more affordable model, powered by a 3.6L V6, to compete with offerings from the other domestic pony car makers.
Both the horsepower and V6 displacement numbers differ slightly from what Dodge released earlier, pegging the SRT8’s peak power at 425 and the V6 at 3.5L.
The first Challenger will roll of Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario plant on April 14, according to a Canadian Auto Worker official who wishes to remain nameless, continues the report.
Finalized information is expected at next week’s New York auto show.



03/10, 11:32 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Maybe it’ll be more reliable than the puktastic Automatics that come out of Chrysler! Hmmmm, maybe this car will last 60 thousand miles before headign to the scrap heap rather than the 40 thousand that it takes on every other Chrysler product!
03/10, 11:39 AM
posted by:
SoLoveLA
Get a challenger now before Chrysler goes out of business
03/10, 11:53 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I still think it was a strange decision to make the first batch auto only, especially when the corporate parts bin has the Viper 6 speed. I suppose they wanted to get the jump on the Camaro and sticking to one transmission sped up the process.
03/10, 11:53 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
That car takes such a massive dump all over the Camaro it isn’t even funny.
03/10, 11:56 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
Will it be six on the tree.
03/10, 11:58 AM
posted by:
sunshine1810
As much as I hate automatic transmissions, what Chrysler did by only offering this transmission choice does make sense. Having said that, I am glad that Chrysler will offer a proper manual transmission for next year.
03/10, 12:01 PM
posted by:
Tracer
Hey MORON “Need oil for GM!” Go add a quart to your POC Cavalier and STFU!
03/10, 12:08 PM
posted by:
Cyclone of Red
I will own sticks until I am too old and decrepid to actually drive one (at which point the government should probably revoke my license).
But I can’t really blame them for making the first batch stick only. I had parking lot duty at church yesterday, and to help aliviate the boredom I decided to see how many vehicles had stick vs. auto. Out of 173 cars, I counted 4 sticks (my car included). My count may be a little off because I didn’t check many of the SUVs, but still; stick is becoming a lost art.
03/10, 12:14 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Hey Tracer, I don’t have a Cavalier you tool. I drive a 2008 Chevy Silverado. How’s your Peon, I mean Neon? Car ready for the junk yard yet? If it has over 50 grand you might want to plan on getting a new one. Maybe you should buy a GM so you’ll never have to worry about your car going to the junkyard before your final car payment. i drive my GM’s for 100’s of thousands of miles without a single problem. Can’t say the same or even close for a POS Chysler
03/10, 12:19 PM
posted by:
R1GHT30U5
” i drive my GM’s for 100’s of thousands of miles without a single problem.”
I needed a good laugh! Thanks.
03/10, 12:20 PM
posted by:
Tracer
I have a Nissan you freaking tool! I wish I could meet you in person and kick your pansy ass!
03/10, 12:21 PM
posted by:
Tracer
Ooo, but truck. Must be an extension of your little manhood!
03/10, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Tracer
By the way, I’d take a Nissan, Ram, F150, Toyota or anything over a pussy Silverado!
03/10, 12:24 PM
posted by:
agent09
lp 640 u dumb ****.
03/10, 12:27 PM
posted by:
Tracer
Quote by Need More Oil for GM, “I drive a 2008 Chevy Silerado.” Notice he didn’t say “Own.” It’s probably his mommy’s truck!
03/10, 3:38 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
yeah Madcapp, grab your Challenger SRT-8 automatic as soon as you can get it because once the Camaro Z28 or SS becomes available with the LSA motor and no automatics “only” and actual available manuals the Challenger will be nothing.
Oh btw I watched Vanishing Point, thanks to everyone’s recommendation, great movie, and man I love that car. I love the new Challenger too but i’ll wait for the Camaro.
03/10, 4:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
SS4LFE: check out Dirty Mary Crazy Larry if you haven’t already seen it. It’s a good one too. I love that period in film making. It’s very honest.
03/10, 5:40 PM
posted by:
Heart64
JohnnyCanuck I remember that one that was a good movie. But the real Movie other than Vanishing point was without a Doubt the Steve McQueen Thriller Killer Tornado speed car chase in “Bullet”. One word totally “AWESOME” Ford Mustang VS Dodge Charger head to head. Real Muscle Real Cars. No Camaro’s thank goodness. Oh yeah I think the only thing that kept the Camaro alive was the Rockford Files. James Garner got a little wiser by switching to Mazada later on!
03/10, 5:54 PM
posted by:
Heart64
The real crime about this ride is it will be great for show and burnouts. But don’t try this against its competition. Its like the little train that could’nt, and I mean that. Especially rising fuel price will put an end to the non-sense of muscle cars and more emphasis on Electric and or Hydrogen down the road.
I just saw an English Electric that has 700+ Electric Ponies there is proof other than Tesla that Electrics can go toe to toe with Super Exotics. While DS like LP squawk over Lambo’s that will be in the Museum before you can blink for all their lofty 6-figure price tags.
The Challenger could have carved out a niche before fuel prices are beyond reach their already $5 a gallon in California and still climbing.
But this car Needs at least 500+ Horses to be consider viable competition the lack of or giving up 100+ Horsepower will make this car look silly.
I say this to Chrysler get your electric car out ASAP this is without a shadow of a doubt the new Paradigm in Automotive technology and pathway.
LP go suck a putred rotten egg why don’t ya!
03/10, 6:08 PM
posted by:
CleanGTO
Everyone hates everyone on here! Yay! But this CAR is sick.
03/10, 6:18 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Stepping on the clutch constantly really pisses me off. The stick shift is so archaic. It’s for when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Viva Stetronic/tiptronic/paddle-shift-on-the-steering-wheel, all you cavemen!
03/10, 7:52 PM
posted by:
Heart64
Ok Tozo you need a reality check here to. First we need a time machine to go back in time beyond 1854 and find that no cars inextricably did not exist during the Jurassic Period. Except maybe Jur-Assholish Decendants perhaps and that’s all Folks.
03/10, 7:54 PM
posted by:
Heart64
LP now write this down- this is your homework assignment. I’m a worthless Bum that lives on LLN and eats Fluffernuttery and never gets any exercise.Ok Marshmellow Brain.
03/10, 8:13 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Thanks, Johnnycanuck. I’ll check it out. yeah Heart 64, Steve McQueen in “Bullit” is also a good movie. The Mustang vs Charger throughout the streets of San Fran is amazing! Def a classic! Oh Heart 64, I actually agree with you on the performance of electric cars, back when the EV1 was in testing back in the 90’s my dad was test driving one and said he beat a Corvette on the track in it. Instant torque @0 rpm’s I’ll take.
I’m trying to think what other great car movies there were out there by the time, besides any James Bond films or Smokey and The Bandit. Never was a fan for that year Trans Am however at least Bert Reynolds (or his stuntman) drove the car the way it should have been driven.
Oh did anyone see that re-creation of The Night Rider? LMAO! I didn’t even bother watching it, The blacked out GT500 that plays “Kitt” just didn’t do it I think. Too bad they couldn’t use the Challenger instead. I think a blacked out Challenger would have been tight!
03/10, 8:52 PM
posted by:
Dodge_fanatic9
The design is awesome, but if they only wanted one tranny it should of been a manual.
03/10, 9:22 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
SS4LIFE: also in the same genre but made recently is ‘Death Proof’, the Quentin Tarantino Grindhouse production with Kurt Russell. The car crash at the end of part one is incredible and the second part.. well if you liked Vanishing Point you’ll appreciate this.
03/10, 11:07 PM
posted by:
bigp
that good go dodge do what good for the you
03/11, 2:11 AM
posted by:
TOZO
Heart64: I distinctly remember that Fred Flinstone had a car…and he was at least from before 1854…and he sure could have used an automatic instead of using his feet!
03/11, 9:11 AM
posted by:
frylock350
@Heart64,
Let’s see how well the Volt does before we praise electrics. Its not a good solution either, they don’t last as long as ICE vehicles (see a Prius’s life expectancy vs a Camry or Corolla) and we’re stilll buying foreign crap. The Volt may be American but the lithium “fuel” it uses comes from China, etc. Ethanol is a much better solution. Build a few more nuke plants, use that to fuel the creation of ethanol from switchgrass and agricultural refuse and we’re fine again.
03/22, 2:28 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Good urinating contest (mercury) tracer and needmoreoil.
Heart64: You’re stupid and angry
03/26, 2:55 AM
posted by:
kool_aje
Challenger should try Benz’s Diesotto instead fuel-thirst HEMI. Not only you get better milleage, the power also beats HEMI. Then maybe they should name it HEMI-Diesotto to make Uncle Sam happy.