Dodge slips five-speed automatic in Challenger SE

Rejoice, those more interested in the look of performance than the feel: Dodge has replaced the antiquated four-speed automatic in its recently-introduced V6-powered Challenger SE with a five-speed automatic transmission, putting it more in-line with its V8-powered R/T and SRT8 siblings.

Dodge doesn't plan to put a manual transmission in the Challenger SE - at least not yet - but at least the five-speed automatic arrives with some fanfare via a new Rallye special-edition model.

According to Edmunds, the Rallye will get a few external and internal cues to make it look more like its brothers, including black-accented 18-inch alloy wheels, exterior stripes, "Micro Carbon" interior accents and a chrome fuel filler cap. It's likely to include more than just trim details when it debuts soon for $26,490 including a $675 destination charge.

Chrysler says fuel economy is improved, though the automaker cited a 25 mpg highway figure - the same as the four-speed model achieved. That's also the same as the five-speed, Hemi-powered Challenger R/T, so something seems a bit amiss to us.