MrKrisSullivan, one example is not sufficient to completely prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt. First of all, did they test both of these cars back to back or were these tests done in different articles which you are comparing. Secondly, you have to take into account of human error, even if its a press outlet with "professionals" not everyone is as talented as the next driver. The reviews I read showed the GTO being faster with the manual over the automatic. There is still the scientific math that shows that they are less efficient, you can't just ignore that either.

Another point, the transmission in your Ram and the one that will be offered in the Challenger are not the same. You have a Chrysler 545RFE, the Challenger will have the Mercedes built W5A580. Your gearing is like this

1st..............3.00
2nd(up).......1.67
2nd(down)...1.50
3rd..............1.00
4th..............0.75
5th..............0.67

The one in the Challenger has the following:

1st..............3.59
2nd.............2.19
3rd..............1.41
4th..............1.00
5th..............0.83

The W5A580 is geared more for shorter gearing which means that if they want to maintain their current fuel mileage with the 6.1L, they will have to keep the gearing they have. The manual's numbers haven't been released yet, so we don't know which set of gears they will be using, but whatever it is. It certainly provides a much taller overall final drive ratio combined with the 3.73 axle ratio than the 2.82 and .83 combo found in the R/T, since the R/T will have the same HWY mileage despite not having MDS with the manual while the auto still has it. I would tend to think that the SRT-8s rumored 3.92 axle-ratio with the manual will probably translate into something like 20-21mpg on the HWY under the new standards.

lear4406: You are right. They have to be careful not to overdo it. I expect they will have close gearing on the manual and will hopefully be able to go to at least 60 while still in 1st gear.