Spied: Dodge considering Challenger SRT10 production?

[SVT666]

Spied: Dodge considering Challenger SRT10 production?
04/23/2010, 10:52 AM BY DREW JOHNSON

   
We?ll file this one under the ?we sure hope it?s true? category. Our spy photographers just sent us images of Dodge?s Challenger SRT10 Concept roaming the streets of Michigan. The Challenger SRT10 Concept made its debut at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The Viper-powered Challenger was first shown at the 2008 SEMA show, and since then, seemed relegated to the history books. However, our spy photographers spotted the super muscle car driving Chrysler?s typical test circuit.

While far from a solid confirmation that the Challenger SRT10 is moving into production, it?s hard to explain the car?s presence on the test loop. We?d love to think that a limited-production run could be in the cards, especially given the escalation in the muscle car wars over the last few months.

As a quick reminder, the Challenger SRT10?s Viper motor produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. Other modifications to the SEMA concept include a coat of Tornado Red paint, a carbon fiber shaker hood that recalls the 1970 Hemi ?Cuda, upgraded brakes and Bilstein shocks. Inside, the SRT10 Concept sports unique seats, carbon fiber accents and a red starter button on the dash like its Viper brother.

Chrysler has also proven that it?s not adverse to special edition models to keep sales going. The Michigan automaker has released no fewer than six special edition models this year, including two in the Challenger line. Although the chances of a Viper-power Challenger seem remote given Chrysler?s current financial condition and a general shift away from gas-guzzling vehicles, we?ll keep our fingers crossed that this one-off SEMA creation actually has a shot at production.

Go here for spy photos.

[Cookie Monster]

Not a fan of the  silly lip spoiler thing but otherwise it's really nice looking.

[giant_mtb]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.

[Xer0]

Okay, that would be absolutely fucking awesome.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Dodge is sucking with the Challenger. I'm not sayibg throwing a Viper motor in a Challenger isn't kick ass, but I think they should focus on making more competive and mainstream-ish like the other two.

[280Z Turbo]

Fucking great. Now try building a decent midsize sedan.

[2o6]

Fucking great. Now try building a decent midsize sedan.

At first, I didn't think that Chrysler products weren't that bad, until I rode in an avenger. Not only is it not roomy, but the plastics are absurdly cheap.

[Payman]

Having driven the Viper, I'm not impressed with the engine. Yes, it's powerful, but it's really crude, sounds like the truck engine it is, and it sucks gas alarmingly. I'd rather they massaged the Hemi to 500+ hp.

[SVT666]

Having driven the Viper, I'm not impressed with the engine. Yes, it's powerful, but it's really crude, sounds like the truck engine it is, and it sucks gas alarmingly. I'd rather they massaged the Hemi to 500+ hp.

Sucks gas alarmingly?  It has SIX HUNDRED horsepower.

The sound is because of the side exit exhaust.  The late 90s GTS had rear exit exhaust and it sounds much better.

[3.0L V6]

Doesn't Dodge have a 450hp+ 6.4L Hemi coming out soon? I'd see that being put in a Challenger before the V10.

[GoCougs]

Having driven the Viper, I'm not impressed with the engine. Yes, it's powerful, but it's really crude, sounds like the truck engine it is, and it sucks gas alarmingly. I'd rather they massaged the Hemi to 500+ hp.

Ditto. Nothing is impressive about the engine but the peak power spec; it's huge, peaky, rough, and sounds atrociously bad (as in, UPS delivery truck bad).

The proper way to do this is indeed to work with the existing Hemi. Punch that baby out to 7.0L and really go ultra mega nostalgic by bringing back the 426 Hemi. THAT's how it's done.

No absolute way Dodge is considering this, even outside the financial problems. The chassis would need far too much work to both fit the engine and handle that kind of power.

[Payman]

Sucks gas alarmingly?  It has SIX HUNDRED horsepower.

The sound is because of the side exit exhaust.  The late 90s GTS had rear exit exhaust and it sounds much better.

Yes, but in 3 days, at legal speeds 90% of the time, I spent $160 in gas. We worked it out to getting 9 mpg during normal driving... god knows what when I was flooring it. Mind you, his Viper is massaged to 640 hp, but still. And it's not just the side exhaust issue. The engine sounded like a cacophany of ancillary belts/cogs/gears at idle, and like an old truck on the throttle. Hellaciously fast, yes, but the sound was disappointing.

[Tave]

The 4.7L 235hp V8 in my parent's Durango gets ~14mpg in city driving. Like Hemi said, I bet 9 mpg is pretty normal for a 600+hp car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The 4.7L 235hp V8 in my parent's Durango gets ~14mpg in city driving. Like Hemi said, I bet 9 mpg is pretty normal for a 600+hp car.

436 hp Corvettes get near 30 mpg, so.... Dodges are just junk.

[MX793]

Dear Dodge,

Instead of adding more and more power to the Challenger in ever more expensive models, how about adding more lightness to the existing models?

Your Pal,

MX

[Eye of the Tiger]

Weakest drivetrains, heaviest chassis, highest prices. It's too bad, because they do look good.

Junk.

[Payman]

Weakest drivetrains, heaviest chassis, highest prices. It's too bad, because they do look good.

Junk.

Not junk. I've driven a few Challengers, and I'm impressed how solid and well put together they are. The interior is simple, but looks richer than those in the Camaro and Mustang. Plenty fast too, and the Hemi is a solid rival to the Mustang in the sound it makes.

[the Teuton]

The dash in a Challenger is almost straight out of the Charger. That's not a bad thing, but it's not something to be proud of, either.

[SVT666]

Yes, but in 3 days, at legal speeds 90% of the time, I spent $160 in gas. We worked it out to getting 9 mpg during normal driving... god knows what when I was flooring it. Mind you, his Viper is massaged to 640 hp, but still. And it's not just the side exhaust issue. The engine sounded like a cacophany of ancillary belts/cogs/gears at idle, and like an old truck on the throttle. Hellaciously fast, yes, but the sound was disappointing.

Look at other 600+hp supercars like the Lamborghini Murcielago.  9 mpg seems like the average, and I'm sure you didn't baby it the entire time.

[SVT666]

Ditto. Nothing is impressive about the engine but the peak power spec; it's huge, peaky, rough, and sounds atrociously bad (as in, UPS delivery truck bad).

Do you just make shit up?  It's probably the least peaky 600+ hp engine ever put in a car.  80% of peak torque is available at 1200 rpm.

[the Teuton]

It's a 600 hp truck engine with four wheels around it.

[Xer0]

How are we not getting excited about a 600 hp V10 stuffed in the nose of a Challenger?  Its so absurd that its impossible not to love it.

[Rich]

There's other things I'd want more, but I'd still have fun with this.

Get it in black, and put the loudest exhaust I could on it.  And add a supercharger

[giant_mtb]

How are we not getting excited about a 600 hp V10 stuffed in the nose of a Challenger?  Its so absurd that its impossible not to love it.

Because the engine is a - gasp! - truck engine!  Disregarding the fact that the Viper is one of the fastest supercars in the world and only costs $100K.  Also disregarding the fact that - gasp! - a Ford GT utilizes a truck engine!

Ohnoes!  What is this world coming to?!?!?!?  A 600 HP engine?  It fucking SUCKS 'cause it's from a truck!  Trucks should have small, weak engines.  Not big, powerful ones!!!!!!!

[Eye of the Tiger]

They should put a 2.2L Sonoma truck engine in it.

[GoCougs]

Do you just make shit up?  It's probably the least peaky 600+ hp engine ever put in a car. 80% of peak torque is available at 1200 rpm.

Wrong x 3.

[Payman]

Because the engine is a - gasp! - truck engine!  Disregarding the fact that the Viper is one of the fastest supercars in the world and only costs $100K.  Also disregarding the fact that - gasp! - a Ford GT utilizes a truck engine!

Ohnoes!  What is this world coming to?!?!?!?  A 600 HP engine?  It fucking SUCKS 'cause it's from a truck!  Trucks should have small, weak engines.  Not big, powerful ones!!!!!!!

I'm not saying it's a terrible idea... just that there are better options available. The Viper V10 is huge, crude, and sounds terrible. I spent 3 days and 300+ miles driving one, and although I did say it was scary fast, and I think it's the most beautiful car on the planet, the engine didn't do it for me. I think the Viper would be a better car with a 600 hp 426 Hemi with pipes out the back, and this would be a better package for a super Challenger.

[Payman]

Wrong x 3.

If we're going to be on the same side of an argument, stop doing that. 

[SVT666]

Wrong x 3.

Just because you say so doesn't make it fact.  Prove me wrong. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Vipers sound cool when the exhaust goes through a couple of turbos. Fact.