2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - Interior And Exterior - First Drive

There's good stuff underneath. It's the same hardware as on the sedans, although the bushings and other tuneables are different for Challenger duty. The front suspension is composed of control arms, an anti-roll bar, and SRT-spec Bilstein shocks. You'll find a multilink setup in the rear, also with the name-brand Bilsteins. Herein lies one major advantage the Challenger will have over the Mustang, in that the latter still runs a live rear axle. While most drag racers still prefer this old-school rearend, and Ford tames it pretty well, Mustangs still dance a bit over undulating pavement and mid-corner bumps. The Challenger (and Camaro) should post a handling advantage by using IRS.

SRT models always go big on brakes, and the Challenger is no exception. Brembo supplies the massive four-wheel discs, with supercar-size 14.2-inch rotors in front and 13.8-inchers aft. All are vented and clamped by aluminum, four-piston calipers. SRT brake systems have been criticized for initial long pedal travel, but the software was recalibrated to vanquish that problem. Electronic stability programming, traction control, brake assist, and ABS are all standard. Should you wish to pedal the Challenger sprint-car-style, the first two are driver-defeatable. There's only one wheel choice, a beefy five-spoke forged alloy 20-incher, wrapped by 245/45 20 Goodyear RSAs. Racier three-season Goodyear F1 Supercar rubber is optional, with 255s in the rear.

Although you'll recognize some of the interior trimmings from the Charger and 300, the Challenger gets its own IP. It's a businesslike four-gauge cluster whose dials are large and legible. SRT tarts up its interiors with a combo of suede and leather, plus a special "carbon-fiber weave" hide that wraps the shifter, door pulls, and steering wheel. This stuff looks and feels great. The thickly bolstered leather/suede sport seats are SRT items only. Access to the rear area is compromised somewhat, not uncommon in any coupe. The rear windows and B-pillar are fixed, and the latter creates a blind spot.

Now, where were we? Oh, yeah, just fired up the Hemi. It burbles deeper and louder than on the other SRT8 models; the team says this Challenger-spec exhaust system comes as close to the drive-by noise certification limit as it can without exceeding it. The view over the dashboard and hood is long, yet doesn't seem as exaggerated as in the Charger/300. The thickly padded, woven-leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good in your hands, and the sport seats are comfy yet supportive.