2009 was the year when the American car-buying public really got a look at what they could expect from the Dodge Challenger. While 2008 featured the high-performance and high-luxury model the SRT8, the SE was introduced in 2009 as the base model, while the classic R/T label was resurrected for cars in the middle in terms of engine performance and features.
As far as styling, the car was essentially unchanged from the 2008 version, which relied heavily on the first-generation Challengers, and the 1970 models in particular. The new version of the car looked strikingly similar to the first-generation Challengers, though the cars actually were significantly longer and taller than their predecessors. The four round headlights and taillight strip stretching the entirety of the rear of the car also emulated features of the 1970 models.
Features included with the Challenger depended on the model chosen. The standard SE models included the 3.5 litre V6 engine that produced 250 horsepower. An upgrade to the R/T model came standard with the smaller Hemi – a 5.7 litre V8 rated at 370 horsepower when using an automatic transmission and 375 horsepower if the Tremec six-seed manual transmission was chosen. The SRT8 came with the 6.1 litre engine that produced 425 horsepower, just as it had the previous year. Unlike the 2008 models, the SRT was available with the same Tremec six-speed manual transmission.
After an initial limited run in 2008, production was up to 32,600 in 2009. The majority of cars produced were the mid-level R/T model.
SE
Though the SE was the base model, the amount of standard features included was fairly impressive, including 17-inch wheels aluminum wheels, air conditioning, power locks and front and side airbags. The base model started at $21,995, and 8,031 were produced.
R/T
R/T is a classic name that was used to identify the high-performance Challengers in 1970 and 1971. In 2009, the R/T package featured, in addition to the upgraded engine, leather interior, 18-inch alloy wheels, 160 mph speedometer and an upgraded sound system. The most popular Challenger produced in 2009, 14,883 were produced and the models had a base price of $29,995.
SRT8
The only returning model this year, the SRT8 was unchanged from its inaugural year in 2008 apart from the aforementioned addition of a manual transmission option. Other included features were a 180 mph speedometer, security alarm and a black rear spoiler. 8,586 SRT8 models were produced in 2009, and they started at $39,995.
Pony Car Competition
In 2009, competition was beginning to heat up in the pony car class that had only included the Ford Mustang for the majority of the decade. The Camaro had been discontinued in 2002, but would also be making a retro-styled comeback in 2010 to join the Mustang and the Challenger in the newly reignited pony car wars. While over 100,000 Mustangs had been produced in 2008, that number fell drastically to 46,420 in 2009. While this could be in part due to the emergence of the Challenger as a contending force, it also should be noted that Ford had a shortened production year as the restyled 2010 Mustangs appeared early. The sales race would really be put into high gear between the three cars the following year.
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