2011 Dodge Challenger Fort Lauderdale

View Our New Dodge Challenger in Fort Lauderdale

Powering the 2011 Dodge Challenger

The Challenger SE drives a lot like the Charger because the Challenger is based on the Charger with four inches taken out between the front and rear wheels. The new 3.6-liter V6 is an improvement over the 3.5 in both power and fuel economy. It has enough oomph to keep up with brisk traffic, and pass without too much fuss. Given the Challenger's extra 400 pounds, it probably won't keep up with a V6 Mustang.

The 2011 Challenger SE comes with a 5-speed automatic instead of last year's 4-speed. That's one of the reasons the new engine gets two mpg better highway fuel economy. The 5-speed automatic transmission works well with the V6, providing decent passing punch quickly.

The next step up is the Challenger R/T. The R/T features a Hemi V8 producing 372 to 376 horsepower, along with a firmer suspension, bigger brakes and tires, and a choice of a hefty-shifting 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. One could arguably have the most fun with the R/T. There's no need to park it in the winter and no miserable ride just because the roads are bad. The R/T goes quite well, with a 0 to 60 mph time under 6.0 seconds. That power comes on strong, but we found it runs out quickly, as the redline is only 5800 rpm. That means drivers choosing the manual will have to shift before the power runs out during performance maneuvers. Sixth gear doesn't do much on the track or around town. It's strictly a highway gear meant for fuel economy; in sixth, the R/T cruises like a pussy cat, churning out 1800 rpm at 80 mph. The $13,000 saved versus an SRT8 392 would buy brake/suspension/tire upgrades to your preference and specification, or a serious engine upgrade.

The SRT8 392 gets the most changes for 2011, all for the better. Larger and torquier than the outgoing 6.1-liter V8, the 6.4 makes the SRT8 392 a straight-line burner. Zero to 60 mph is in the high four-second range and the car can cover the quarter-mile in the high 12s. The extra torque really makes the SRT8 392 leap forward when pushed, in a way that couldn't be felt last year.   

2011 Dodge Challenger Design

Part of the Challenger's appeal comes from its commanding presence. Many of the Challenger's parts, systems and structures are shared with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans. It's a big car, just two inches shorter than the Charger but wider and lower. The Challenger is also about nine inches longer than the Ford Mustang, and seven inches longer than the Chevrolet Camaro.

Unlike most new cars, the maximum width is carried well out to the ends resulting in a broad, menacing car. The very wide, horizontal grille, spoilers and taillamps accentuate the width, as does a turret-like roof and window treatment, and the haunches over the rear wheels where the roof fairs into the trunk and the character line kicks up. The proportions all seem just right, from the carrier-deck expanse of flat hood larger than most modern pickups, to the foot-high side glass and dark lower body trim, and into the massive rear roof pillars.

The major lines are only part of the equation, with details just as well executed. The four round headlamps and deeply inset grille of the original are still there, though now the inside lights are turn signals and the outer pair the headlamps. Where signals rode below the bumper on the '70 this one has fog lamps, and careful sculpting has maintained the classic look without destroying aerodynamic efficiency.

From the side, the SRT8 392's 20-inch wheels frame bright red brake calipers and slotted discs, filling large fender openings that are creased along the edges. Hood scoops carry Hemi badges on V8 cars and are functional in that cool air goes in or warm air vents to the atmosphere, but they do not feed cold air straight into the engine; the ducts in the spoiler direct cooling air to the front brakes and small winglets at the front wheel openings better define airflow. The fixed side rear windows do not allow the full open hardtop of the original with its frameless doors but in a nod to that look Dodge kept the pillars behind the glass so they aren't so obvious. A bright fuel filler cap on R/T and SRT8 392 models finishes off the driver's side. The door handles look retro and stylish, but we found them hard to grab.    

Inside the 2011 Dodge Challenger

The interior harkens back to the muscle car era in that many muscle cars were born of generic sedans and had similar interiors. The Challenger also mimics Dodge and Chrysler sedans of a few years ago, though with some nicer materials. The cabin appears functional and well put together, but it has the least emotional impact of any aspect of the car.

To preserve the ensconced feeling, the headliner is a dark material. In fact almost everything is dark. In the SRT8 392 we tested the monotony was broken with chrome highlights on the door handles, control knobs and gauge bezels, light-faced instruments, semi-glossy carbon-fiber-look center panel trim, and a big chrome band around the shifter that bounced sun glare all over. Everything else inside, seats, carpet, trim, was dark.

While a race-inspired interior is one of the SRT division's major criteria, the primary inspiration here is manifested in the front seats. The contrast-stitched, heavily bolstered buckets in the SRT8 392, with their leather outers and velour inserts, do an excellent job of keeping you in place. However, unlike many so-called sport seats, these do not feel overly firm, though the driver lumbar can tune out some squish in the backrest. Nor are they confining. Big bodies are more prone to be comfortable here than in a BMW or Infiniti sport seat. Front-seat headrests are adjustable for height only and the seatbelt loop goes with it to avoid belt chafing.

The rear seat is quite comfortable and roomier than most would expect. The back seat can accommodate two plus someone little in the middle. Back-seat riders get only moderate legroom, however, caused by the very thick front-seat backrests. The rear bench seat has three shoulder belts, baby seat anchors, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, coat hooks, two central vents, and two integral headrests. The seat folds down to expand the trunk, but the front seat must not be set back too far to be able to flip the seatback down. On the minus side, the only lighting in the back seat area are in the front seat backrests. The side panels are mostly plastic, the windows are fixed, and getting in is a nuisance; the passenger seat has a lift lever that tilts the backrest and slides the seat forward but it doesn't automatically return to its previous position. It may be large, but it is a two-door coupe.  

2011 Dodge Challenger Line Up

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SE comes with a 3.6-liter V6 and 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, automatic climate control, interior air filter, power windows and locks, power mirrors, keyless access and starting, 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 6-speaker stereo, auxiliary input jack, trip computer, theft-deterrent system, and P235/55R18 tires on aluminum wheels.

Option packages include the Super Sport Group with P245/45R20 tires on chromed alloy wheels, 3.06 rear axle ratio, performance disc brakes, performance steering and performance suspension; Electronics Convenience Group with body color exterior mirrors, power fold-away heated mirrors, remote engine starting, alarm, outside temperature display and compass, tire-pressure monitor display and a universal garage door opener; the Mopar Interior Appearance Group with Mopar-branded bright door sill guards, bright pedals, car cover, floor mats with logo and T-grip shifter; and a Rallye Group with fog lamps, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Sirius satellite radio with one-year subscription, Boston Acoustics sound system with 276-watt amplifier, automatic headlamps, Bluetooth streaming audio, USB port, auto-dimming rearview mirror and Uconnect phone hands-free cell phone link. Also offered are Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect phone, sunroof, Media Center 430N with Sirius satellite radio, Garmin navigation system, Sirius travel link, 6.5-inch touchscreen, and 30-gigabyte hard drive; and Sound Group II  with 368-watt amplifier; seven Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer, 6.5-inch touchscreen, and 30-gigabyte hard drive.

Challenger R/T features a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic. R/T adds automatic headlights, Sirius satellite radio, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated outside mirrors, body-colored rear spoiler and mirrors, metal fuel filler door, dual chromed rectangular exhaust pipes, fog lamps, Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, and a USB port. Mechanical upgrades to accompany the added power include bigger brakes, firmer suspension, quicker steering, and a hill-holder clutch when equipped with the manual transmission. Options include the Super Track Pack with P245/45ZR20 Goodyear performance tires, heavy duty brakes, sports suspension, and performance steering with variable displacement; and the R/T Classic Package with 276-watt amplifier, 3.92 rear axle ratio, Boston Acoustics speakers, heated front seats, leather upholstery, P245/45R20 tires, functional hood scoop, R/T side stripes, bi-xenon headlights and the Electronics Convenience Group.

Challenger SRT8 392 has a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic. Other mechanical upgrades include Brembo brakes, a performance suspension, a limited-slip differential, and P245/45R20 front and P255/45R20 rear tires on polished aluminum wheels. Standard are leather upholstery, heated front seats, bi-xenon headlamps, trip/data computer with performance pages, and keyless access and starting. The SRT8 rear spoiler is flat black, the front spoiler deeper and ducted for brake cooling, hood scoops are functional, and the fuel filler is polished aluminum. The SRT8 392 also adds a gas-guzzler tax with the manual transmission and with the automatic. Options include the 522-watt 13-speaker Kicker audio system, high-performance staggered-size tires, and Green with Envy paint with wheels with black-painted pockets.    

Conclusions

The 2011 Dodge Challenger boasts a distinctive look that attracts a lot of attention and positive comments. The V6-powered Challenger SE comes with a moderate price and an improved engine, while the V8-powered Challenger R/T is a good performance value. The Challenger SRT8 392 is the ultimate performance version. Regardless, the Challenger avoids the compromised rear seat and trunk of most coupes because of its size. It's too big and heavy to be a true sport coupe, but it carries that bulk fairly well when pushed. In Hemi Orange Pearl you won't own the road but it will feel like you do.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com