2008 Dodge Challenger: SE and R/T are Pale Shadows of SRT8
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The Challenger SRT8 may be the one that everyone got hyped about, but you’re far more likely to see an SE or R/T variant on the road.
The R/T still gets a stout V8 to motivate, a 5.7 liter HEMI with 376 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque (with a manual transmission), and the ability to get to 60 in less than 6 seconds. Better still, the manual equipped cars can get the most Mopar of additions, a pistol grip shifter, though only with the Track pack, which also adds a lower rear gear.
The V6 SE has decent power as well as it has 250hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, it is only available with a 4-speed auto.
Both, unlike the SRT8, come equipped with brakes that are more pedestrian, not Brembo, and lend to a mediocre braking performance.
The interior is a bit of a letdown as well. Styling harkens back to the golden era of muscle cars, but it is executed in the modern theme of uniformly colored plastics and little brightwork. It just doesn’t live up to what the exterior evokes.
Our take? Though the R/T and V6 may be the “lesser” models, they are not worse by any means. The Dodge Challenger in whatever trim is a solid performer and a looker as well. The Ford Mustang may finally have a fight on its hands in what was a segment of one.
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Tags: 2008 Dodge Challenger, Brightwork, Colored Plastics, Decent Power, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Hemi, Lb Ft, Letdown, Liter, Looker, Manual Transmission, Modern Plastics, Mopar, Muscle Cars, Pale Shadows, Pedestrian, Pistol Grip, Speed Auto, V8
