Blazing a new trail for a muscle car

Appeared in Daily Report, Monday, July 06, 2009
Blazing a new trail for a muscle car
The 2009 Dodge challenger picks up where its '70s predecessor left off, but adds a few modern tweaks
By Karl W. Ritzler, Special to the Daily Report

2009 Dodge Challenger:

Buy this car if: You want a trip back down memory lane with up-to-date technology.

Not for you if: Muscle cars are a turn off.

Look at me factor: In red, it looks like an invitation for a ticket.

Competitors: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang

What others are saying:

“The 2009 Dodge Challenger lunges off the corners and swallows the straights, its sustained thrust complemented by long riffs of resonant mechanical music.”—Edmunds.com

“While it's here, we'll enjoy the Challenger as a successful exercise in retro styling and Hemi muscle.”—Car & Driver

“What a fun, fun, hot car. It drives as fun as it looks, and that's pretty damn impressive.”—Automobile Magazine



The inferno red 2009 Dodge Challenger is a good ol' boy magnet.

From the thumbs up outside a McDonald's to a lively discussion outside a Wal-Mart about the Challenger's Hemi engine and what she'll do on the highway, guys gravitated to the car that's a faithful successor to the '70s muscle car.

Not everyone knew what they were looking at, though. Both a mom at a mall parking lot and a knowledgeable car guy both thought it was a Ford Mustang at first glance.

Right era, wrong car.

The Challenger in the new-for-2009 R/T (road and track) trim with the 5.7-liter, 370-horsepower Hemi V-8 under the hood evokes the pure muscle of earlier Challengers that toed the line with muscular Mustangs and uncaged Camaros.

Dodge's timing is nearly perfect, with the revived Camaro due out soon and the Mustang seeing its own revival. The Big 3 of Detroit's muscle car era are at it again. It's almost enough to make you forget about the nasty realities of expensive gas and automakers' bankruptcy.

The Challenger also comes in a new, wimpy 250-horsepower V-6, if you are worried about the price of gas. If not, the holdover SRT8 from '08 is still available with its 6.1-liter, 425-hp V-8.

Tune the satellite radio—a distinct upgrade from earlier times—to the '70s music channel, and the picture is complete, right down to the rumble of that luscious Hemi.

Not everything is out of the '70s, however. Start with the Challenger's profile. Below the beltline, it has the look any guy would want—what he had in the '70s. The front is that classic bandit look, with the “mask” wrapping around the headlights and grille. An air dam and fog lights reinforce the aggressive look.

The taillights are full width, topping the dual exhausts and tucked beneath a spoiler that looks like it really belongs there.

The greenhouse, however, is 21st century. It has the low look of contemporary Mopar products, giving the car an overall sleekness that one-ups its predecessor. The driver does pay a price, however, with reduced visibility.

The Challenger is built on the same platform at the Chrysler 300 and Charger sedans, but the wheelbase is four inches shorter than the Charger.

Dodge wants to make sure everyone knows there's a Hemi under the hood with bold lettering along the scoop line. Switch on the ignition, and it's a nostalgic trip back to the muscle car era. And the rumble from the exhaust rekindles the memory of 50-cent-a-gallon gas.

Stomping on the accelerator is satisfying, especially if you're next to an unsuspecting BMW. Handling is pure muscle—crisp and sure and powerful. Straight-line power is plentiful, if not race-track fast. Dodge claims zero-to-60 times of less than 6 seconds with the Hemi-equipped Challenger. But unlike its ancestor, the new Challenger is much better able to handle tight turns.

The engine is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is available.

Challenger buyers aren't necessarily worried about fuel economy. It's OK at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, definitely on the low side for what the EPA considers a compact car.

Inside, the sport bucket seats are supportive. The black plastic and cloth and touches of chrome have been described as bland. There's no Euro, techy feel to the inside of the Challenger. Besides not being overpowered by gizmos and gadgets, the climate and audio controls are clearly marked and easy to use. Even the steering wheel stalks are uncluttered.

Don't plan on taking the gang for a ride in the Challenger, though. There's room in back only for a child car seat or a duffle bag for the gym. The trunk, however, is enormous. The 60/40 split back seat folds down for even more room, up to a maximum of 16.2 cubic feet.

Standard equipment on the R/T package includes side curtain front and rear air bags, stability and traction control, antilock brakes, air conditioning, tachometer, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, 18-inch aluminum wheels, performance tires and halogen headlights.

The R/T has a base price of $29,320, plus $675 destination charge. The test vehicle had only one option, satellite radio, at $195. But with the difficulties faced by the auto industry and Chrysler in particular, look for a deal.

Karl W. Ritzler is a freelance contributor to the Daily Report.