Right from their start in the 1960s, "pony cars" like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger have ignited many an argument among fans and auto writers alike over horsepower and big V8s. But, truth be told, most of these sporty coupes go out with smaller, more insurable, and more economical power trains. Case in point, the new Dodge Challenger SE. While it may trade a HEMI V8 for a more responsible V6, Dodge promises most of the flare of the HEMI. So, let's see if this Challenger's sparks will still fly or fall shy.
There's no doubt that the MotorWeek staff was impressed with the HEMI V8 Dodge Challenger SRT8, calling it "an all new chapter in the American muscle car story." But like most horsepower junkies, our resident lead footers were less than excited when presented with the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2806b.shtml
0-60 mph: 7.8 seconds; that's not bad. 