Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Spotted in Full Production Trim!

[Merc1]

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Final testing of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is underway at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters, and spy photographers were there to catch an undisguised mule in full production trim.

As the official teaser shots from Chrysler suggested, the production version of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 is nearly identical to the concept. Up front, the crosshair grille is gone in favor of a honeycomb design with "Challenger" script. The lights and front airdam are almost unchanged, with lower side marker lights being the only obvious alteration.

The five-spoke wheels are new and the brakes appear to consist of the same 14.1-inch rotors and Brembo calipers found on the Charger SRT8 sedan. A retro-styled fuel filler cap has been added to the quarter panel on the driver side and the rear marker lights have been moved down slightly.

We knew the taillights were going to change for production, but the Challenger's designers did a good job of maintaining the original styling. The blacked-out spoiler is new, as is the center reverse light and the smaller exhaust pipe tips.

Look for the debut of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show on February 6.

What this means to you: If you were worried that the production Challenger wouldn't live up to the concept, consider these photos proof that Dodge came through on its promise. — Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line


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M

[Monster]

Looking good so far, but I feel the designers have got the balance wrong. The styling and proportion of the car is a bit too retro, espically with the rear end design. The Camero has a better compromise, and the design will age better than the Challenger

[Merc1]

Another pic:



M

[MikeJ]

This is one fantastic-looking automobile. I'd go for a different colour, though...