The August 2008 issue of
MOPAR Action road tested the 2009 SRT Challenger.
Here are some excerpts:
"The chassis enginers were able to deliver comfort, along with good vehicle dynamics (handling), and an advertised .9g skidpad number."
"Turn the key and Challenger makes all the right sounds- just like its SRT brethren. Turn off traction control, torque up the converter against the brakes, punch it, and it's 1970 all over again as you incinerate those big meats and fishtail out of McDonalds leaving behind your heavy black rubber calling card."
"On the road, the Challenger fills its intended bill as a serious performance machine. It digs into corners and holds a line with minimal lean and excellent tracking. The steering is precise and the car feels connected to the road."
"Expect to see ETs in the low 13/high 12-second range, with 1/4 mile trap speeds at or about 110-112 mph. The factory says 0 to 100 mph and back in 17 seconds."
"The auto trans is very responsive both in Auto-Stick and normal modes... with a steep 3.59 first gear for those stoplight derbies."
"Big pomodoro-sauce-red Brembos make no excuses when it comes to hauling you down. They flat out work. Short of an '03-up Viper, these are, without a doubt, the best factory brakes ever put on any Mopar anywhere...60-0 mph is said to be 110 feet...(125 feet for the R/T and 130 feet for the SE)."
"Look for the 500 HP 6.4L Hemi as a late '09 or 2010 intro- possibly in a special edition model."
"There will be a special-edition Challenger Classic R/T later in the '09 model year, with B5 blue paint, black side stripes, unique badging, and 20-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels- but with the 5.7 Hemi."
"Convertible junkies will get their fix in late '09 or 2010."
This issue has a great photo of the SRT on its cover page. See:
http://www.moparaction.com/Next/next.html