November 16, 2010
By Jason Woosey
SUBTLE DOES IT: Retro musclecar looks were barely tampered with.
We can’t imagine there being many South African car enthusiasts that don’t love muscle cars and, although our market is starkly deprived of true American specimens with little hope on the horizon, we thought we’d tease you with another new Stateside release.
Dodge has released pictures and details of its 2011 Challenger, albeit already previewed by the 398 cubic-inch Hemi V8 SRT8 Inaugural Edition, but now we learn of the nuts and bolts of the Challenger upgrade, which essentially entails a very subtle facelift and a new V6 engine for the entry level version.
TRACK TUNED: With 280kW Hemi V8 beating beneath, R/T version doesn’t rely on those bold stripes
As with many of its Chrysler stablemates, the Challenger SE gets the all-new 3
A 5.7-litre Hemi that churns out up to 280kW and 556Nm
.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, which, with 227kW on tap, is significantly more powerful than the engine that preceded it – while also being lighter.
If you agree that there’s still no substitute for that V8 growl, Dodge still offers the R/T version with a 5.7-litre Hemi that churns out up to 280kW and 556Nm, while the one surest to get the blood pumping is the new 350kW, 6.4-litre SRT8 392.
The Challenger range, now planted on Chrysler’s second-generation rear-wheel drive architecture, also benefits from redesigned front and rear suspension, while the brakes have also been spruced up. Three different suspension tunings are available to suit everyone from laid back cruisers to hardened track day aficionados.
The Challenger is an unashamedly retro design that remains highly faithful to the 1960′s original so designers have not done much to alter the 2011 model’s aesthetics, with a new trapezoidal front air dam, larger front spoiler (now in black), removal of the Dodge badge from the bonnet and a racing-style petrol cap being the highlights
NO DRAMA: Cabin is more comfortable but still rather dull.
Subtle changes enhance comfort
Subtle changes also abound inside to make the Challenger a little more comfortable and pleasing to the eye and include LED-illuminated cup holders (of utmost importance to the Yanks) and a more modern optional infotainment system.
