What We Drove
2011 Dodge Challenger SE, R/T and SRT8 392
Why We Drove It
What some people consider nostalgic nonsense, Dodge embraces in the form of an old-school pistol-grip manual shifter, big honkin’ V8s and retro looks that belong on posters. Challengers are among the cars that fill kids’ imaginations and they make their lucky owners feel like a million bucks. Since all 2011 Challengers receive a bevy of changes to their interiors, suspensions, steering and powertrains, we had a really good excuse to drive one of our favorite cars one more time.
2011 Dodge Challenger Driving Impressions
Many fans of muscle cars have to come to terms with the reality that buying a big-honking V8 is not particularly logical. Sure, modern V8s are better than ever and are remarkably clean and fuel efficient for what they are, but gas is expensive, carbon footprints are supersized, and insurance is pricey.
As a result, retro muscle cars have turned up the potential of their V6 offerings. Ford and GM have sophisticated V6 engines that make over 300 horsepower and now Dodge has removed its anemic 3.5-liter V6 from the Challenger and replaced it with a new 3.6-liter V6 good for 305 ponies. You read that right; the 3.6-liter V6 used in the 2011 Challenger puts out a total of 305 horsepower at 6,350 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.
If that’s not enough for you, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 returns in the 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T. Paired with the five-speed automatic transmission, this V8 makes 372 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 400 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. If it’s equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, power ratings rise to 376 hp at 5,150 rpm and 410 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. Basically, this engine is carried over from last year without modifications.
That’s not true of the SRT8 model, now dubbed the SRT8 392. With its greater displacement and 90 lb-ft increase in torque, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is a domination machine. The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 puts out an outstanding 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This additional power and torque can definitely be felt, especially with the giggle-inducing six-speed manual transmission. The five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick manual gear selection will return.
Both the Challenger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 were available for us to drive at Northern California’s Infineon Raceway, and both proved to be a blast to drive. Unfortunately, we were unable to drive those two models on public roads, so real world driving impressions will have to wait.
While we don’t have solid performance numbers at the time of this writing we can say, with a great deal of certainty, that these are better Challengers than the ones they replace. But the updated 2011 model isn’t just about straightline speed. Dodge dialed out a lot of steering slop and added additional heft to effort levels with a new, electrically assisted power steering system. Revised suspensions ride just as good, if not better than the old Challengers, but the higher performance models feel more planted in turns.
Fortunately, after track exercises in the V8 models, we were able to gain access to a 2011 Dodge Challenger SE with the 305-horse, 3.6-liter V6 and take it out on public roads.
Dodge has yet to reveal whether or not it will build the new V6 model with a manual transmission (most of us hope they do). As it is, the five-speed automatic with AutoStick is still more fun than a barrel of monkeys when hustling the 2011 Challenger SE around town. This V6 is a smooth, modern engine and with the right equipment, the handling is surprisingly close to the beefier V8s. Remember, this V6-equipped Challenger weighs hundreds of pounds less than its V8 brethren, with most of that weight removed from under the hood. Tooling around town and moving through traffic is surprisingly easy and the Challenger SE’s ride is remarkably smooth.
We’ve entertained the idea of using a Challenger as an unconventional family car, but realistically the R/T and SRT8 392 are expensive to purchase, fuel and insure. The old Challenger SE had a lackluster V6 engine and missed the fun-to-drive mark by a wide margin. Now, with the 305-horsepower Pentastar V6 on tap, a family can have a good looking, roomy, and fairly economical Challenger with decent performance sitting in the driveway, decked out in child seats and with a stroller in the trunk.
Inside, the 2011 Dodge Challenger (finally) matches the retro-cool looks of the exterior. The dashboard and gauges are new, as is all of the switchgear. These changes are most noticeable in the new, three-spoke steering wheel and redesigned center stack. An optional eight-inch multifunction screen instantly reminds you that you’ve not taken a trip back in time to 1970.
Thankfully, the Challenger’s exterior remains its gorgeous self. There are a few new features, like revised wheel choices and angular exhaust ports. New paint schemes, graphics and trim components are also in the works, but the Challenger’s shape and presence remain unfiltered.
The Vehix View
As expected, the 2011 Dodge Challenger is a hoot to drive. From the SE with its new V6 engine to the SRT8 392 with significant power and torque increases, the updated Challenger has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the Camaro and Mustang.