I think that on paper it makes sense for Dodge to offer a V-6. There's a lot of people like me that can't afford the top of the line V-8's but like the idea of a sporty 2 door rear wheel drive car and they need to offer something affordable to "move metal" and re-coup the cost of the Challenger specific tooling.

That said the fuel economy ratings on the V-6 is only 1 m.p.g. better in the city and the same on the highway as the RT V-8's. What is the point of offering the V-6? And with $3 to 4 dollar gas there's a viable market for manual transmissions for extra economy. I was really hoping that a manual tranny was available with the V-6.

I'm new to modern Dodges so before I go off on a totally uninformed rant along the lines of WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!, I have a few technical questions.

1. Are the 4.7, 5.7 and 6.1 V-8's all basically the same engine block with just different bores and strokes?

2. Is the V-6 the same basic block as the V-8's with 2 cylinders shaved off? Or is it a totally different animal? The fact that the V-6 comes with a 4 speed auto and the V-8's get a 5 speed auto tells me that maybe the bellhousings are totally different which would explain this but I really don't know.

The Challengers are now available in the K.C. area Dodge dealers and driving by one last Saturday I got caught in the tractor beam and pulled in to have a look. All but one Challenger (out of 8) was a V-6.

On the positive side the Challenger is a cool looking car that lives up to the concept hype. Apparently the bean counters that screwed up the Charger were all "court marshalled, shot and sent to the Russian front" by the parent company in Germany in the Challengers' case!

 

And why when typing a message in the message box the apostrophy looks like an apostrophy but in the preview and subsequent submission it looks like a quotation mark?

Some think that I am a moron but I sure do not need this issue to add to the pile of evidence!

 

I thought the same. A V-6, lower insurance rates, possibly better gas mileage. Hey, I'll just get a 6 and get the lower rate and throw a blower on it and make it 'eat' like a V-8!! Well, I've been that route. Had a 96 Ram with the 360 V-8. Put a Vortech on it. Yeah, I got 0-60 in six seconds; however, after 10 seconds or so, the computer went 'hey, where is all this air coming from?'. I won't go into details, but it was a problem, especially when towing. So, I am wary of the supercharger thing (but it would be cool). I decided just to get a V-8 (I have a 6spd R/T on order).

I don't know if the 6 is just originated from an 8 with 2 cylinders lopped off. That was thinking back in 'the day' to cut costs for the auto makers.

I drove the 6 cvl Challenger. I was very, very impressed. I built up and owned a 1971 Road Runner with a 440 back in the 80s, and the Challenger reminded me very much of the so forgiving handing and smooth ride of my old pride and joy; however, it also reminded me of something of a rental car. Its spinning 3500rpms, where is the driving power? SO, was I to settle for this? No, I'm an old fart.

My R/T went D1 last week. BTW, that Road Runner I had, mid 13s around 100mph in the quarter. Almost as fast as this R/T I'm getting. I'm jazzed.

 

Our 3.5 litre V-6 engine is NOT from a V-8 engine with 2 cylinders chopped off.

It is an entirely different engine. Until the Chrysler 300 & Charger came along, this engine was only used in front wheel drive applications.

The 3.7 V-6 engine used on the Jeep products is a chopped off 4.7 V-8 engine. Those two engines are cousins. But, the 3.5 motor in the Challenger has nothing in common with the HEMI 5.7 motor.

 

What a lot people don't know is that Chrysler is working on a new V6 with a lot of promise. That is why the SE has a what feels like a left-over drive train. I expect the 2010 or 2011 V6 Challenger to wow people.

 

Please dont tell me this is the same V-6 they used in the Intrepids and mini-vans. You know the ones that burn oil after being only a year or two old? Cool car but THAT engine is just totally unacceptable.

 

Not that one...the 2.7. The engine is the larger 3.5 used in the 300M with no such problems.

 

Another MAJOR factor in favor of the V-6: Base price of $21,995.

 

and cheaper insurance

 

Phew!