📰 Auto News Edmunds Tests the Challenger SE, R/T & SRT8

[Mook]

Performance Tested: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE
Date posted: 08-16-2008

ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey — The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE is the new, affordable addition to the 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup. Following the official introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, we conducted our own independent testing of the entry-level coupe with its 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

The business case for the Dodge Challenger depends on volume sales, not just specialty cars like the 425-hp SRT8 model, and Chrysler believes the Challenger SE can become a mainstream coupe, a two-door alternative to the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans.

This is the very first chance to test the performance of Chrysler's new muscle car with the V6 engine. The data includes 0-60-mph acceleration, quarter-mile performance, braking distance and slalom speed, as well as insight from IL's test driver.

Chrysler based its introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, R/T and SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a traditional stop for the NHRA's professional drag-racing championship. Thanks to our portable Racelogic VBOX III testing gear, we were able to use the track for performance testing, although the lack of a suitable plot of pavement precluded skid pad evaluation.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE with its 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission accelerated to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds (7.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout), then reached the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 88.3 mph.

Full performance data is listed below:

Acceleration:
0-30 mph 3.0 seconds
0-45 mph 5.1 seconds
0-60 mph 8.1 seconds
0-75 mph 12.1 seconds
1/4-mile 16.1 seconds at 88.3 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 7.8 seconds

Braking:
30-0 mph 29 feet
60-0 mph 129 feet


Slalom (600 feet) 59.5 mph

Test Driver Comments
The SE favors being held against the brakes until revs reach about 2,000 rpm. Some chirp off the line with ESP turned off which just means a lenient version of ESP. Engine revs all the way to the 6,500-rpm indicated redline and upshifts are moderately fast, but smooth. Why no AutoStick in this sporty coupe? Also seems like a five-speed automatic would make better use of the V6 engine. First braking effort from 60 mph was the shortest at 129 feet and grew slightly longer from there to a 134-foot max. Although the pedal showed no signs of spongy fade, the odor from hot brakes suggested otherwise. In the slalom the front end gives up long before the rear does. Only moderate roll stiffness, but decent impact-reducing damping. In the end, the limits are defined by the ESP.

What this means to you: With V6 fuel economy, a slightly more comfortable ride and a base price of $21,995, the Challenger SE offers a good compromise for an everyday car.

Click to read more...

 

[Mook]

Performance Tested: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T
Date posted: 08-16-2008

ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey — There has been lots of speculation about the speed of the new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T with its 375-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, and we were able to conduct our own independent testing at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, the site of the official introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup.

This is the very first chance to test the performance of Chrysler's new muscle car in R/T trim. Our data includes 0-60-mph acceleration, quarter-mile performance, braking distance and slalom speed, as well as insight from IL's test-driver.

Chrysler based its introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, R/T and SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a traditional stop for the NHRA's professional drag-racing championship. Thanks to our portable Racelogic VBOX III testing gear, we were able to use the track for performance testing, although the lack of a suitable plot of pavement precluded skid pad evaluation.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T with its 375-hp 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed manual transmission accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds (5.5 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip), then reached the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 100.8 mph. In comparison, the 315-hp 2008 Mustang Bullitt we tested late last year with a 4.6-liter V8 and Tremec five-speed manual transmission ran to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The Bullitt also ran a 13.8-second quarter-mile at 102.1 mph.

At 4,041 pounds, the R/T weighs about 100 pounds less than a 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a six-speed transmission. In fact the R/T is only fractionally slower to 60 mph than the SRT8's 5.5 seconds (5.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout). The difference lies in the higher redline of the SRT8's 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi, which enables the car to pull past 60 mph in 2nd gear. In comparison, the R/T requires a shift into 3rd gear.

Full performance data is listed below:

Acceleration:
0-30 mph 2.5 seconds
0-45 mph 4.0 seconds
0-60 mph 5.9 seconds
0-75 mph 8.4 seconds
1/4-mile 14.1 seconds at 100.8 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 5.5 seconds

Braking:
30-0 mph 29 feet
60-0 mph 126 feet

Slalom (600 feet) 62.4 mph

Test Driver Comments
With its Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, the R/T is a little trickier to launch than the SRT8 with its sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. The grip of the RS-As disappears quickly, so only the first two or three launches are worth measuring. Still, a 3,200-rpm launch worked well enough to bag consistent runs to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The Tremec six-speed with its pistol-grip shifter feels robust but is still easy to operate. During braking tests, the first stop was the best at 126 feet, growing to 132 by the end. Pedal effort remained moderately firm throughout testing and only a little hot-brake odor was evident. Despite a button and light indicating to the contrary, the ESP is not all the way off. As we would expect, the R/T offers more grip, better turn-in and yaw response compared to the V6-powered SE, but nowhere near the capability of an SRT8.

What this means to you: We've got a full test of the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T due to arrive any minute now.

 

[Mook]

Performance Tested: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Date posted: 08-16-2008

ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey — Following the official introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, we conducted our own independent testing of the 425-horsepower coupe, now available with a six-speed manual transmission for the new model year.

This is the very first chance to test the performance of Chrysler's new muscle car with the combination of the SRT 6.1-liter Hemi V8 and the Tremec six-speed manual transmission. The data includes 0-60-mph acceleration, quarter-mile performance, braking distance and slalom speed, as well as insight from IL's test driver.

Chrysler based its introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, RT and SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a traditional stop for the NHRA's professional drag-racing championship. Thanks to our portable Racelogic VBOX III testing gear, we were able to use the track for performance testing, although the lack of a suitable plot of pavement precluded skid pad evaluation.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with its 425-hp 6.1-liter V8 and six-speed manual transmission accelerated to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds (5.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout), then reached the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds at 103.0 mph. This compares to the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with its five-speed automatic that achieved 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (4.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) and completed the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 107.5 mph.

We're surprised that the 2008 Challenger SRT8 with its automatic transmission has the edge in speed here, but we were slightly suspicious at the time that it had an unusually healthy engine. In comparison, the engine of this 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with its manual transmission seemed slightly sick during our testing. In the end, we're still left with some questions about the comparative performance of automatic and manual transmissions in this car.

Full performance data is listed below:

Acceleration:
0-30 mph 2.5 seconds
0-45 mph 4.0 seconds
0-60 mph 5.5 seconds
0-75 mph 7.9 seconds
1/4-mile 13.8 seconds at 103.0 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 5.2 seconds

Braking:
30-0 mph 27 feet
60-0 mph 119 feet

Slalom (600 feet) 66.0 mph

Test Driver Comments
Because the power delivery from the 6.1-liter V8 is so linear and the 255/45ZR20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar rear tires are so grippy, it's easy to modulate the wheelspin away from the starting line with the throttle. Yet this Challenger SRT8's time to 60 mph and the quarter-mile both lagged behind the performance of the 2008 Challenger SRT8 with its five-speed automatic that we previously tested. This engine didn't seem to have the pop of the other one. Pistol-grip shifter feels robust but is easy to operate and accurate even when rushed. Clutch is neither too heavy nor too light. Ratio of 4th gear feels very, very tall and the car lays down noticeably before crossing the finish line. Amazingly quick turn-in and yaw response in slalom from such a large car, but it's the kind of front-end bite that can be trusted. Good balance right up to the limit where the Challenger SRT8 pushes on-throttle and oversteers with generous on-throttle application.

What this means to you: Dodge finally gives us the manual transmission muscle car we've been waiting for.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

i still want the srt 8

never mind... i just saw its only hittin 13.8 with a 6.1 L hemi? thats not even a challenge for an F-Body/LS2 goat and a good run for an 04 goat....

 

[4DRZ06]

the srt8 is only .3 diff.

 

[02BlueGT]

I expected the SRT to be much faster than the R/T.......my Grand Prix with less than 200 hp and 4 speeds ran a 15.8 in the quarter, Y does a car with 50+ more horses and a similar transmission(same number of shifts in quarter and probably similar gear ratios) and 12years more of mechanical innovation only run a 16.1, I know it is heavier, but this is a sports car

Who wants to bet a G8 GXP is faster, also a G37 Coupe(similar price range)

Also if the SE is 18/25 for mpg's, How come it is so low.....

***Not saying grand prix is the best, in fact there are many better cars out there, this is just what popped into my head while reading the articles

 

[Burtonrider10022]

wait... the G8 GT is already almost just as fast. the GXP is sure to be much faster than that...

 

[PANDA]

Dodge needs to put these cars on a diet.

 

[Angus]

exactly

 

[Ricky]

LOL @ "V6 muscle car"
LOL @ 16+ sec quarter mile

does dodge know that fully loaded V6 Honda Accords (the new fat ones!) are running faster times than that, and getting better fuel economy?

i have this hilarious mental image going on right now of a 17yr old kid whose parents bought him a V6 Challenger, and he tries to race his less fortunate friend in his mom's Accord sedan and losing. LOLOLOLOL

thanks for the morning laughs.

 

[johnnyj773]

Dodge needs to put these cars on a diet.

x2

 

[TonzKnock-G]

Im sure the 13.2 @ 107 is going to be the more actual 1/4 mile speed for the srt version.

 

[SRT41320]

i think you guys are missing the point - v6 muscle car? why were camaros and trans ams offered with v6's and why can you get a new g8 with v6? - you have to appeal to everyone - not just us - hope that answers your question.

as far as performance goes they are slow in my opinion and yes they need to go on a diet but you have to admit dodge did something right by putting a tremec in it - which in my opinion just means its begging to be modded - those 5.7's in the chargers are puttin out some big numbers when modded. and the srt8's are gettin low12's with very little parts.

as to compare it to the g8gtstgxp...whatever - the charger r-t was put up against it and still was a better car - it will all depend if they will actually offer that with a manual - ive drivin the g8gt and was not too impressed - nice car and all but came out way to early and undeveloped

just my opinion....

 

[CamaroSS]

255 tires on the srt 8... wtf

 

[syP]

as to compare it to the g8gtstgxp...whatever - the charger r-t was put up against it and still was a better car -:

orly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eInLIqFwSjU


chevy > dodge as usual

 

[Burtonrider10022]

the g8 has been in production in Australia for YEARS its a holden rebadged thats all. it has had plenty of time to 'develope' and work out all the kinks. unless of course u have a problem with your pontiac logo... thats an underdevelopement issue

 

[SRT41320]

orly?


chevy > dodge as usual

i will agree the g8 is faster but it rides like shit - seat are as uncomfortable as riding in a 1800's wagon. - i will admit that it just came out and they have time to fix all the kinks for sure it will be a great car. overall the the charger is a better buy in my opinion - but it all depends on what you are looking for - navigation, rear dvd, sunroof, etc - and last i checked....yes the g8 out performed the charger....but car and driver and road and track still said the charger was a better car for the little bit of extra money - whos to say now that somebody finally came to the game with compitition in the american sports sedan market that dodge doesnt step it up a notch - I sure hope they do for their sake!

 

[y2kstang]

Dodge needs to put these cars on a diet.

+1 that.