Nothing gets me wetter than a V8. Maybe a few things come close, but the brutal rubber melting, ass-to-the-seat power that comes out of a burbling V8 is second to none. That’s why my first post-college automobile needs to be the Dodge Challenger SRT8. It’s not “fuel efficient,” or “sustainable,” but it’s American and comes with a 6.4 liter Hemi attached to a six speed. Hell yeah.
Chrysler has had its problems—one of the Detroit three, it was undeniably having more problems than Ford and GM. Daimler-Chrysler split in 2007 and Chrysler is now in a partnership with Fiat, with the U.S. Treasury owning a 10 percent stake via federal loans from 2009. Every single model in the Chrysler lineup was desperately in need of new interior styling, fuel efficiency, more power, and in general revamping when the recession went into full swing.
But the Challenger remained Dodge’s golden child through the hard times. Sure, it handles like a boat, has a weight problem, and the top of the line SRT8 gets about 15 miles to the gallon, but it’s a big bad muscle car with so much charisma to go around. 2011 SRT8’s, known as 392’s, for the new 392 cubic centimeter V8, produce 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It goes 0–60 mph in 4.5 seconds and clears the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds at 114 mph, finally a time competitive with the Ford Mustang GT and Chevy Camaro SS. Plus, the seats sport sexy “392” decals.
Luckily, most of the Chrysler lineup is getting a makeover for 2012 as well. The Dodge Avenger and Charger base models get a new Pentastar V6 making 292 horsepower, and the Chrysler 300, the brand’s flagship vehicle, is finally getting a sleek new look after seven years of aging. The Challenger makes for pure automotive debauchery. I’m not going to settle for being a post-grad yuppie with a Toyota Yaris.
Leave a Reply