Challenge of 2009 Dodge Challenger: Resist the 'whee!'
— -- What can you say? The car was ready to go just as the bottom fell out from under the auto industry.
Can't sit on a new car, keep it tucked away. Got to jump and go, sell as many as you can. So here comes Dodge with the Challenger, a modern take on its 1970s muscle car of the same name.
A pretty convincing take, too. Some folks asked if it was a restoration and were delighted when told it was a brand-new model.
The only current rival is the Ford Mustang. The Chevrolet Camaro, promised by General Motors in 2010, would be a competitor.
Challenger is as impractical and aggravating to use as it is fun to drive. That conclusion is based on drive time in three regular-production test cars: SE V-6 automatic transmission, R/T Hemi V-8s with automatic and a six-speed manual.
Biggest attractions:
•Styling. It properly evokes the 1970-74 original and improves proportions and details. Designers say the long-hood, short-rear-deck look is the ultimate. It's why the Mustang looks terrific. Why Jaguar's XKE of yore ravished the eye and is in The Museum of Modern Art in New York. And why Challenger arrests the gaze.
The psychology behind that look: It gives the impression a car has a big, powerful engine that needs acres of hood to cover it. The appearance of a token trunk (Challenger's is actually ample) makes a car seem aimed at free-wheeling, free spirits who'll jump and go without much thought to packing.
Chrysler Vice President Larry Lyons is happy to note that small details from the original are recaptured for 2009, such as a character line that runs across the rear edge of the trunk lid (though, sadly, it is hidden by the trunk spoiler if you get the Hemi V-8 engine). And the sunken-headlight look.
•Drivetrain. The base V-6 is a spirited engine with a more-than-sufficient 250 horsepower. And the SE weighs about 220 pounds less than the R/T.
Thus, you might find the base car satisfying enough to stop right there. In its favor, the SE doesn't come with a trunk-lid air spoiler, as the R/T does, giving the SE a much cleaner, classier look.
But should you, contrary to all good sense and moderation, test drive the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, you're dead meat. Few other engines are as all-around satisfying to drive as the Chrysler Hemi.
Despite its bad-dog image, the Hemi is unbelievably easygoing in traffic. You don't have to nail the go pedal to appreciate it. Kind of a bodyguard persona. Not intrusive. All muscle when you need it.
You'll pay to play. Hemi's a thirsty bird when you dip into its irresistible power.
•Handling. SE suspension is tuned for a smooth ride, rather than ultimate cornering, but comports itself credibly when the road is winding.
R/T gets firmer underpinnings and, indeed, takes a flatter attitude around a bend. But remarkably, you don't get jolted around in return. In fact, the R/T is unperturbed over speed humps, potholes and other challenges. You notice the bumps, but the car doesn't bounce you around and make you fight for control, as some "sporty" suspensions do.
The good looks and good street behavior are all the car needs to rise above the herd. Good thing, because there are a number of niggles. The kind that'll bother you when the "whee!" wears off:
•Difficult back-seat access. Unlike in most two-door cars, Challenger's driver's seat doesn't tip and slide; only the passenger's side does. So all back-seaters have to pile through that door. A royal pain. That allows use of a more comfy driver's seat, though, Dodge says. And it's safer because the passenger side's usually away from traffic, Dodge argues. Nevertheless, it's considering a tip-slide driver's seat, though won't say how soon.
•Junky-sounding trunk release. Like the noise of a collision of things that shouldn't collide.
Probably because there's a very strong spring back there that pops the big trunk lid open far enough to let you easily grab and lift, Dodge says.
•Uneven gaps where plastic meets steel in the rear. Yes, on early cars, Dodge says, but fixed now. The newest test car, built in October, had even gaps all around, confirming that.
•Hard, noisy manual shifts, especially when cold. Running changes to shift mechanisms in November should quell that, Dodge says.
•Awkward visibility. Comes with the package. Challenger wouldn't look right with big windows.
Looking right is why you like the car in the first place. Enough so to let yourself be tempted into taking a spin in the Hemi.
Then none of the gripes matter, because you're hooked.
ABOUT THE 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER
• What? Remake of 1970s muscle car; rear-drive, midsize sports coupe.
• When? On sale since October. A super-high-performance SRT8 model went on sale in May to stir interest in the vehicle. (It was considered a 2008 model, but Dodge likes to call it 2008 3/4.)
• Where? Made in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, where Chrysler also builds Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans.
• Why? Have fun, stir brand interest.
• How? Base it heavily on the Charger to save money — 71% of Challenger parts are the same as Charger's — but trim the wheelbase to get the right proportion and use a completely different body.
• How much? SE starts at $22,545 including $725 destination. R/T starts at $30,545. SRT8, $42,245. Prices reflect recent $500 price boost, $50 shipping charge increase. Some cars might still have the old pricing.
• How many? Dodge won't forecast; has sold 14,821 since SRT8 launch in May, according to Autodata.
• How potent? SE V-6 rated 250 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, 250 pounds-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm, mated to four-speed automatic transmission (to be replaced by five-speed in March).
R/T has 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 rated 375 hp at 5,800 and 404 lbs.-ft. at 4,200; available with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual mode.
SRT8: 6.1-liter Hemi V-8, 425 hp at 6,200, 420 lbs.-ft. at 4,800, available with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual mode.
• How lavish? Surprises: Electronic stability control or anti-lock brakes optional for base SE. None have side-impact bags (though all have front, side-curtain bags and Chrysler says they get top government crash ratings). Spare tire is optional on ST, R/T, not available on SRT8; fix-a-flat inflator's standard on all.
Otherwise, typical array of standard features: Power steering, brakes, windows, locks, mirrors; climate control; AM/FM/CD/MP3-compatible stereo; floor mats, etc. Read all about it at www.dodge.com.
• How big? About 10 inches longer, slightly wider and taller than Mustang. Challenger is, in inches 197.7 long, 75.7 wide, 57.1 tall on a 116-in. wheelbase.
Weighs 3,819 lbs. to (SE), 4041 lbs. (R/T), 4140 lbs. (SRT8).
Passenger space: 91.5 cubic feet; trunk: 16.2 cu. ft.
Turning circle: 38.9 ft. (SE, R/T), 37.5 ft. (SRT8).
SE and R/T with automatic rated to tow 1,000 lbs.; others, towing not recommended.
• How thirsty? SE rated 17 miles per gallon in town, 25 highway, 20 combined. R/T rated 16/25/19. SRT8 rated 13/19/15 with automatic, 14/22/16 manual.
Trip computers in R/T test cars showed: 11.9 mpg manual, 12.3 automatic; in SE, 23 mpg. R/T manual in city/suburban/highway mix, R/T automatic strictly suburban. SE suburban/highway.
Tank holds 18 gallons (SE), 19 gal. (R/T, SRT8).
Mid-grade (89 octane) recommended for SE, R/T; regular's OK. Premium (91 octane) specified for SRT8, which Dodge says was designed specifically for high-test and that's what should be used. So there.
• Overall: A ball — with some annoyances