LX and Beyond Nationals

It’s becoming that time of the year when all the hearsay, off-the-cuff predictions, and just plain old out-f-the-blue guesses finally get either debunked or conspicuously validated. People were consulting their crystal balls, magic 8-balls and whatever other mystical orbs they could reference to predict Chrysler’s next move with the super-successful, “King of the Retro Design” modern muscle car, the Dodge Challenger. Since externally, the Challenger was a home run from the beginning, it made perfect sense for Dodge to leave perfection alone. Inside, though, there were questions, quirks and concerns that needed – at least in the eyes of many – to be addressed.

Externally, the Challenger’s changes are slight, as they ought to be. A revised front chin spoiler and air inlet remain as the only visible cues apart from new door handles.
Images: Left Lane News

It didn’t take too long for the rumors to start a-swirlin’ about next year’s Challenger, most of which circled around a handful of interior upgrades to accompany its poorly secreted powertrain upgrades. Finding this post over on Left Lane News, we got the skinny on the new Challenger.

Under the hood of the base model 2011 Dodge Challenger SE will be Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter V6 engine. With no official output as of right now, we can only speculate at competitor’s V6s produce well over 300hp. Currently, new plant makes 290 horsepower propelling the Jeep Grand Cherokee, so we expect – and hope – for a bit more. As of right now, Challenger’s current five-speed automatic will remain, providing a highway mileage of 26mpg. With its new engine, the Challenger’s base price will increase from $23,695 to $25,305.

The R/T remains relatively unmolested, save for a small highway fuel economy increase due to minor gearing and aerodynamic tweaks, but will see an increase from $31,610 to $32,770.

The Challenger SRT8, though is due for a significant change, an engine swap that many saw coming like a locomotive. Abandoning its 425hp 6.1-liter HEMI for the once Mopar-catalog-only 6.4-liter 392ci elephant is truly some phenomenal news, particularly in light of the upcoming Z/28 and BOSS 302 rivals. While Chrysler remains mum concerning official power figures, it bears noting that the fuel injected crate version of the 392 produces 520hp while the carbureted version erupts with 540-naturally-aspirated-horsepower. Rumors are swirling about a modest 500 horsepower output currently. The other key change for Challenger is the SRT8’s price decrease for 2011, dropping from $43,680 to $43,100.

Inside, the cabin features only minor modifications, changes that many considered overdue for a vehicle of its prestige and price range. Losing the previous model’s four-spoke steering wheel in lieu of the newer three-spoke wheel already featured in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Challenger’s new wheel provides easy access to cruise control, Bluetooth and trip computer controls up front, while revitalizing Chrysler’s favored rear-mounted audio controls, a feature which hadn’t been used on the Challenger previously. While not the drastic changes many had predicted or aspired for, the Challenger will gain an “automatic mode” for its climate control system and some revised gauges and bezels.