From the instant the Dodge Challenger hit the scene in 2008, it was apparent that Chrysler had taken a different tack with its retro muscle car than Ford orChevrolet. Larger, heavier and more comfortable than either the resurrected Camaro or rebodied Mustang, the Challenger was more grand tourer than a red light terror. But with the Pentastar’s resurrection comes two new powerplants, both of which make an already solid package even more appealing for those seeking style seasoned with a healthy dose of all-American get-up-and-go.
Along with a suspension that’s been spit-polished to provide more feedback and better dynamics, Moparengineers have plopped a new 3.6-liter V6 and 6.4-liter V8 under the long, squared-off hood of the 2011 Challenger to create the new base SE and top-shelf SRT8 392 models. With the rev-happy six cylinder begging to be flogged and the new V8′s voracious appetite for asphalt, both engines drastically alter the big daddy muscle bruiser’s personality while offering better fuel economy than their 2010 predecessors. If you’ve been able to resist plopping yourself behind the wheel of a Challenger so far, your self-control may have finally met its match.
