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What will be on the wish list of EVERY red-blooded American male for Christmas this year? Well, if they're at all like any of the guys I know, the one and only thing on that list will be Chrysler's '08 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Fortunately, for those who can afford to own this super hot, ultra cool, MEAN ... AS ... HELL, dream machine; they won't have to wait much longer. Dodge dealers officially started taking deposits early in December, racking up over 4,300 confirmed orders on the first day. Already currently in production, and being manufactured at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant, at long last, Dodge's iconic muscle car returns after a 35 year absence.

And, if you just so happen to be one of the privileged few who can afford the heart-stopping sticker price for the high-content SRT8; which is $37,995 ,or $40,095 including the anticipated $2,100 gas guzzler tax ( and forgot to place your order with Chrysler back in December ), you'd better hurry because only 6300 Challenger SRT8s will be produced for sale in the U.S. Although, I seriously doubt that the guys are the only ones waiting on pins and needles for the first of the Challenger SRT8s to hit the streets.I don't know about the other ladies out there, but, personally , I can't WAIT to slide behind the wheel of one of these monsters. With a 0-60 mph time in the low five second range, 0-100 mph in less than 17 seconds, a 1/4 - mile elapsed time of less than fourteen seconds, a 60-0 mph braking distance of approximately one hundred feet, and a skid pad performance of 0.88g. ; who in their right mind WOULDN'T want to own this fantastic blend of new enthusiasm.
While the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, and it's 1970 counterpart are very different in proportion and detail, the goal of Chrysler's design team, and engineers was to capture and represent the true spirit of the original. Like the '70 Dodge Challenger; but not the 1971 - 1974 models; the ALL NEW SRT8 sports a full-width tail lamp assembly with center mounted back-up lights. The outboard lamps are the headlights, while the inboard " headlights " contain the park/turn lamps; the fog lamps are set below.
All '08 Challengers get the same 6.1 Hemi used in the Charger SRT8, rated at 425 hp. A few Chrysler sources have leaked that engine and transmission choices will be open up for the '09 model year to include another V-8 and V-6. Although the LC/LX floorplan is designed to accommodate a wide gamut of V-6 and V-8 drivetrains, the 2008 Challenger will only be available as an SRT8 with a 6.1 Hemi. Designed originally by Chrysler's former owner, Mercedes-Benz,but built at Chrysler's Kokomo,Indiana, transmission facility, the Hemi is coupled with the usual W5A580 five-speed AutoStick gearbox.
So there you have it, enough facts, figures, statistics, and details about the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 to satisfy just about most MOPAR fans. As for first hand experience with the SRT8 myself, well, the closest I've gotten to one thus far has been driving by one going 45mph. Yep, I've only had the pleasure of a quick glance at this ultimate masterpiece of man's ingenuity. Hopefully that'll change sometime in the near future.

Learn more about this author, Shawn Johnson.
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