2011 Dodge Challenger

Styling: The 2011 Dodge Challenger’s styling isn’t altered, staying true to the model-year 2008 revival of this MoPar muscle car. The long-hood, short-deck shape, wide grille flanked by round headlamps, graceful roofline, and full-width tail lamps continue to honor the 1970 Challenger two-door coupe.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger’s interior is updated, but not as extensively or as elegantly as that of several other 2011 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models. Revisions to the 2011 Challenger’s cabin are highlighted by a new steering wheel with more ergonomically integrated controls for the audio and cruise control systems and other functions. The dashboard instrumentation gets new faces, and assorted trim is regrained or softer to the touch.

he base model 2011 Dodge Challenger SE will come with Chrysler’s new high-feature 3.6-liter V6 engine, packing 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque (compared to 290 horsepower under the hood of the Jeep Grand Cherokee using the same engine). The Challenger’s current five-speed automatic will remain, fuel economy will be rated at 19 city, 26 highway miles per gallon.

We’ve known that the Challenger SRT8 model would swap out its 6.1-liter V8 for a new 6.4-liter unit for the 2011 model year, but until now we could only speculate in regards to power figures. Although not as high as many rumors indicating it could produce as much as 500 horsepower, the 6.4-liter HEMI will be rated at 475 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Along with the new engine, the SRT engineers have given the Challenger’s chassis some help with new dampers accompanied by revised suspension geometry. The steering is now quicker, too, and uses a heavy-duty hydraulic pump that’s said to offer more feel, particularly on-center, something the car needed. We’re hopeful, too, that the changes impart an extra dash of nimbleness to what is a heavy car—it weighs more than two tons.

Exterior differentiation starts with prominent “392 HEMI” badges on the front fenders. The front fascia has been revised, including a larger chin spoiler that creeps up along the wheel wells in order to route airflow around the rolling stock.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 comes with xenon headlamps, functional hood scoops, leather upholstery, special sport bucket front seats, and dashboard readouts that track 0-60-mph acceleration times, lateral G-forces, and other lead-foot data. Dodge also is offering the 2011 SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition, a special model whose production is limited to 1,492 cars.  The Inaugural Edition rides on exclusive 20-inch wheels and tires and gives buyers a choice of a white exterior with blue stripes running the length of the car or a blue exterior with white stripes. The seats are finished in white leather with blue stripes and stitching.