SRT8 Challenger Steps Up to 6.4L 450HP

[NewsBot]

There's a lot cooking up for Dodge in the next five years. Recently, Street Legal TV announced that the brand's long-lauded truck, RAM, is now its own brand and that Dodge will be more passenger car-centric, becoming the Chrysler Group LLC's performance or "excitement" brand (sound familiar, Pontiac guys?). Right now, official word from Chrysler is a complete repackaging of all Dodge cars with all-new options packages within this year; a complete brand overhaul and marketing campaign and point of sale reconfiguring is to be completed by the end second quarter of 2010.



Current Dodge cars will undergo a "fix the fundamentals" program, with a refocusing on the "driving experience" and adding technology for improved efficiency and performance. Dodge will also get a "C-segment" sedan to replace the Neon; a B-segment hatchback, a new mid-sized sedan, and a seven-passenger crossover by 2015. The B-car would be from Fiat; the C (Neon-sized) and D (Avenger-sized) will also be Fiats; and the crossover will be a Chrysler design.

This was found on Allpar.com, "Caliber ends in 2012, and a Fiat compact sedan takes over in 2012; Avenger stops in 2013, replaced by a same-name Fiat mid-size; a new small hatchback from Fiat starts in 2013; Journey gets redesigned in 2010 and continues through 2014; Nitro may be continued (unknown); Viper stops after another 500 units, then [will] restart in 2012. Challenger gets refreshed for 2011 and continues at least through 2014."

The biggest news has been Chrysler's decision to discontinue the venerable 425-horsepower 6.1-liter SRT8 motor and replace it with the larger 6.4-liter 392 HEMI. Right now, the 392 HEMI is only available as a crate motor, and in this current form, produces 525 horsepower with fuel injection and an impressive 540 horsepower carbureted. Unfortunately for us power-hungry Mopar fans, the 6.4L SRT8 will likely be detuned to a more consumer-friendly 450 horsepower. Plenty of ponies to compete with the Mustang and Camaro contenders, while still keeping plenty of bottled power for all you tuners!




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