SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Its official debut is still months away, but details are starting to leak out about the 2008 Dodge Challenger. According to Automotive News, Dodge plans to roll out the Challenger in two phases. A 5,000-car limited-run 2008 Challenger SRT will be unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show in February. The SRT will use the 6.1-liter Hemi mated to a five-speed automatic.

For the 2009 model year, Dodge will expand the Challenger lineup to include both 6.1- and 5.7-liter Hemi versions to be shown at the 2008 New York Auto Show in March. A six-speed manual will be added and possibly a dual-clutch transmission. Dodge will increase the Challenger's production output to 30,000-35,000 cars in 2009, says Automotive News.

What this means to you: Unless you're willing to pay up for the top-of-the-line SRT version, you won't be able to buy a Challenger until the 2009 model year.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=123209

 

sounds like in out for the first M.Y. Second year or later for me

 

The first 5000 units seems to be pretty much confirmed. Hopefully the 6.5L rumor turns out also to be true. I hope they are right about the dual-clutch offering. That would be a definite competitive advantage in this market segment.

 

Well the 5K number seemed to spot on....so maybe the 6.4/6.5 is a possibility as well. It doesn't affect me too much, I was second year any way as it needs to be M&M (manual and MSRP).

 

They will go before they hit the lot.

 

wow.. that makes no sense to me... lets wait until 2009 to produce any real number of challengers so we can wait and compete with the 09 camaro... but then again... maybe by 2009 all the bugs will be worked out.

 

You will see the 2009 by Aug. or Sept. of 2008. That will put it back in line with how they usually do it. Just like you get your Nov. edition of Hot Rod in Oct. So really not alot of difference in waiting for the 2009. And you will be able to get a 6-speed.

 

I'm thinking they are waiting for the new 5.7L before they ramp up the numbers? And if that's the case, some bugs may be worked out, but then there will be new bugs. Especially with a new manual tranny.

 

It just sounds like a technicality to me. I wasn't expecting them to be available until summer. All they're doing is putting some out early it seems. Also, I don't know if anyone heard, but Dodge has axed the Magnum. I don't know what that means for Challenger but if they sell out they will probably be able to make more faster.

 

Frankly, with oil nearing the $100 a barrel mark (gasoline in San Antonio has gone up 13-20 cents since Wednesday), they BETTER come out with the V-6 option damn quick or the Challenger is going to die a much faster death than it did in the '70s. And right now, Chrysler can't afford to have another loser.