Download Print Press Kit: What's New for '09 Introducing the All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger Nearly 40 Years Later, Dodge Redefines Modern American Muscle Re-creation of vintage American muscle car blends nostalgic flair with modern engineering and technology Five-passenger, two-door coupe produced from proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 platform First modern-day, HEMI®-powered car offered with precision-shift, six-speed manual transmission New-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers increased fuel economy (on average 4 percent) with improved horsepower (more than 30 hp) and torque (up to 20 lb.-ft.) 5.7-liter HEMI goes from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds SRT-exclusive 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine goes from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds Best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room provides spacious back seat for up to three adults Best-in-class trunk space (16.2 cu. ft.) equal to the Dodge Charger High-mounted seat-back lever for simple, one-handed operation; enables second-row passengers to enter and exit with ease More than 25 safety and security features including supplemental side-curtain air bags, advanced multi-stage air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and anti-lock brakes Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including uconnect gps with touch-screen radio and navigation, uconnect phone featuring Bluetooth® technology, Keyless Go push-button start and Remote Start To ensure quality, Dodge Challenger engineers logged nearly 3.2 million customer-equivalent miles in the development process Pricing from $22,545 (including $725 destination) All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup to arrive this fall Auburn Hills, Mich. August 16, 2008 - The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics — unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology — to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. “Our all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger is a modern-day muscle machine representing the best from the past and present,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “Nearly 40 years following the debut of the original, we are bringing Dodge Challenger back and loading it with essential hardware, styling and technology desired by today’s buyer.” The Dodge Challenger is a five-passenger, two-door coupe produced from Chrysler’s proven rear-wheel-drive platform that delivers the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Developed with Dodge’s credo of “bold, powerful and capable,” the Challenger delivers a modern two-door muscle car. Three models will be offered in North America: Dodge Challenger SE, Dodge Challenger R/T and Dodge Challenger SRT8®. Essential Hardware The Dodge Challenger SE, powered by the 3.5-liter High Output V-6 with a four-speed automatic transmission, produces 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (339 N•m). The Dodge Challenger R/T features the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission that produces 372 horsepower (277 kW) and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (544 N•m). For 2009, the HEMI engine is upgraded to get, on average, a 4 percent improvement in fuel economy, an increase of more than 30 horsepower and up to 20 lb.-ft. improved torque over a greater range of engine speeds. The Dodge Challenger R/T also offers a precision-shift, six-speed manual transmission — the first for a new-generation HEMI-powered car — that produces 376 horsepower (280 kW) and 410 lb.-ft. of torque (556 N•m) when running on premium fuel. The Dodge Challenger R/T can go from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds. The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features an SRT-exclusive 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine mated with a new-for-2009 six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick that generates a blistering 425 horsepower (317 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 N•m). The vehicle can go from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Patterned off the Dodge Charger architecture, the front short- and long-arm suspension and five-link independent rear suspension system on all Dodge Challenger models provides excellent ride and handling characteristics. Essential Styling The Dodge Challenger design team stayed true to the concept revealed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, while drawing upon elements from the original Challenger. The result: a bold, aggressive muscle machine that blends nostalgia with modern Dodge style. “Our designers captured the mind’s-eye view of what people today remember about the Dodge Challenger from nearly 40 years ago,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “Their challenge was to excite today’s customer by capturing the emotion of the original Challenger, while offering today’s comfort and performance.” On the exterior, the long, raised performance hood with scoops and recessed grille with round dual headlamps are reminiscent of the original Dodge Challenger. The bold A-line, or character line, that runs from stem to stern gives the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger an instantly recognizable muscle-car profile. Retro dual rectangular exhaust outlets complete the look from the rear. On the interior, the trapezoidal theme of the door-panel cove and gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted shifter console are inspired by the original Dodge Challenger. The modern interpretation of the Dodge Challenger offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared to the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.) — equal to the Dodge Charger — the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger offers added comfort and functionality. Essential Technology The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger offers customers a full range of innovative technologies including: uconnect gps provides cutting-edge audio and navigation with integrated voice recognition and touch screen for easy operation uconnect phone provides convenient, voice-activated communication with Bluetooth® cellular phones uconnect studios with SIRIUS® Digital Satellite Radio offers a variety of commercial-free radio programs and music Keyless Go allows the driver to start the vehicle with the simple push of a button Remote Start starts a secured vehicle with the key fob More than 25 Safety and Security Features Dodge Challenger offers more than 25 safety and security features including: Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags extend protection to all outboard front- and rear-seat passengers Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) modulate the brakes for the driver to provide steering control while braking Electronic Stability Program (ESP) applies selective braking or throttle reduction to control oversteer and understeer Brake Assist ensures maximum braking action during panic stops All-speed Traction Control reduces the throttle and/or applies selective braking to optimize traction during acceleration Hill Start Assist (HSA) for Manual Transmission application assists the driver in launching the vehicle on an incline Automatic Headlamps turn headlamps on at dusk and off in the daylight without driver intervention Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) alerts driver about low tire pressure(s) in order to facilitate safe handling 2009 Dodge Challenger Production The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger will be built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Dodge Brand With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC’s best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. The Dodge brand’s first crossover vehicle — the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey — is now available, and is available outside North America in diesel and petrol powertrains in both left- and right-hand drive. The limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, hit the streets in the spring of 2008. Later in 2008, Dodge will add three more vehicles to its product lineup — the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, a hybrid-electric vehicle that combines fuel-efficient advanced-hybrid technology with full-size SUV performance and capability. Recently, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan arrived in dealerships with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ’n Go™ seating system. In 2007, Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, which launched in those markets in 2006.