2008 Dodge Challenger Photos, engines & full specs

Dodge revived one of the most famous nameplates from the Muscle Car Era, the Challenger, which it previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show and started production in 2008.

After the Muscle Car Era ended in the early '70s, the Challenger nameplate went to a vanishing point, leaving enthusiasts with some Mitsubishi-related vehicles with four-bangers under their hoods. No wonder the Challenger's second generation lasted only about five years between 1978 and 1983. Fast forward to December 2007, customers could place their deposits for the brand-new 2008 Challenger, built in a 6,400 limited edition production run, with a V8 under their hoods and plenty of power to smoke their tires. Furthermore, the retro-styling was one of the best on the market, rivaled just by the Mustang from Ford. Dodge made the Challenger based on a shortened version of the platform used by the four-door Charger, another famous nameplate brought back by the American automaker in 2006.

Anyone who knew the original 1970 Challenger could recognize the front fascia translated into its modern-era 2008 successor. The quad headlights design and the black grille recessed and stuck between the hood and the body-colored front bumper were unique. Furthermore, the 2008 model year came with the famous SRT chromed badge, making the car even more appealing. A deep chin under the bumper and a pair of round fog lamps made the big coupe look even more aggressive.

From its profile, the car's proportions of its ancestor, albeit it was about six inches (15 cm) longer. Still, the long hood, the five-spoke alloy wheels, and the coke-bottle style of the rear fenders gave the original 1970 Challenger a classic look. Michael Castiglione and Alan Barrington did a great job of bringing that model into the twenty-first century. Furthermore, at the back, the large-sized coupe featured full-width taillights in a recessed panel between the trunk's lid and the rear bumper. A pair of side-mounted exhausts adorned with chromed rectangular tips completed the image of a bad-boy-looking vehicle.

Inside, the Challenger boasted one of the best finishes that left Dodge's assembly lines in Detroit. Its four-dial instrument cluster and the large four-spoke steering wheel fronted the driver's high-bolstered bucket seat. As expected, the side passenger's seat looked identical, and both were available with the SRT logo embroidered on their seatbacks. Just like the original Challenger, the 2008 model year provided enough room in the back for two other passengers, who sat on a split-folding (60/40) bench seat that could be lowered and expand the 16.2 cu-ft (459-liter) trunk. The stereo was also upgraded to modern standards and was integrated into the infotainment system, which found its place on the center stack. It allowed Bluetooth connectivity and had a USB port so customers could take their favorite music on the road.

Under the hood, all 6,400 units of the 2008 Challenger featured the 370 cu-in V8 engine, which produced 425 hp (431 PS). All that oomph was sent to the rear axle via a five-speed automatic and a limited-slip differential. As a result, the car could rocket from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 kph) in five seconds flat.