The muscle car war has resumed in the American markets, with all three giants from Detroit offering their own versions of reincarnated, classic muscle cars. The latest entrant into the scene was the Dodge Challenger which was launched in 2008. Its main competitors in the market are the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. The 2010 model comes in three trim levels, SE, R/T and the SRT8.
The 2010 Challenger has three different engine options. The least powerful of the three is the 3.5 liter V6 in the SE which produces 250 horsepower and gets mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Even though the V6 engine produces decent power, it is not sufficient to move the two ton mass of the car in any matter manner that would do any justice to the car’s heritage.
The 2010 model is visually identical to the 2009 model of the car. The designers at Dodge have managed to style the car in a retro style while managing keep it modern and sophisticated at the same time. The design draws a lot of parallels with the original Challenger from the early 1970s. The Challenger is based on the same Chrysler’s LX platform based on which the sedans like 300 and the Charger were built. The Challenger has a wheel base that is four inches shorter than that of the Charger. The car weighs a whopping two ton, giving it the same, frightening bulk as its ancestor. The mid-range R/T has 18 inch wheels opposed to the 17 inch ones in the SE along with minor exterior changes like body colored spoilers. The SRT8 features 20 inch wheels, fog lamps and black body stripes.
The R/T version has a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi that churns out 370 horsepower and 398 pounds feet of torque. The engine gets mated to a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic gearbox. The R/T is a highly spirited performer and has lots of power to make overtaking breezy. However, the one to watch out is the SRT8 with a massive 6.1 liter V8 that packs 425 horsepower. The engine is capable of a blistering 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 5.1 second, with the R/T version under a second slower than it in doing the same. The power comes at the price of fuel economy, which is rated at 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.
The Challenger performed impressively crash tests. The safety features include Antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control and even side curtain airbags. The modern chassis kept the passenger compartment intact in the crash tests and the drivers sustained minimal injuries.
The Challenger has enough space to accommodate four adults comfortably. The fifth person in the rear seat will have limited leg room due to the presence of the transmission tunnel. The long body of the car translates into a lot of interior space and a large boot. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, with excellent support for the driver. The only complaint is that the interior design lacks sophistication compared to other modern sports cars. The car is loaded to the brim with many modern features. The top of the line model comes with cruise control, heated mirrors, key less entry and ignition, modern navigation device and powered seats.
Source: www.nitrobahn.com
