09 Dodge Challenger By: ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net  The New York City area was the site of the first test driving of the new 2009 Dodge Challenger.  Wow!  What a great muscle car.

   The legendary Charger is such an icon, made extremely popular because of the TV show DUKES OF HAZARD.  Dodge has brought back an updated version of the Charger and this Challenger is a first cousin.  One of the colors offered is that distinctive orange.  Dodge is calling is “Hemi Orange”, referring to the 5.7 liter Hemi engine under the hood of either of the cars.  No, the roof doesn’t have a flag on it.  No, the horn doesn’t play the opening refrains of Dixie.  And no, the doors aren’t even welded shut.  But these cars are close in looks and driving capability to that original General Lee.

I was part of a group of automotive journalists that took the new 2009 Challenger out on the road to test the handling and driving dynamics.  There are a few other vehicles that offer nearly the same feel and style.  The primary competition to this new Challenger is the Ford Mustang Bullitt.  The Bullitt was  made into a legendary muscle car by that Steve McQueen movie.

The Challenger is everything that was promised.  The retro looks are obvious.  But it goes much better than looks alone.  This is a spirited muscle car for the masses.  There are three engines available and the difference in price is noticeable.  The base model is a 3.5 liter V-6.  Next is a 5.7 liter Hemi V-8.  Top of the line is a 6.1 liter Hemi V-8.  These engines are race-inspired but street legal.

My driving partner and I pushed the test drive models as much as possible, hugging the road when possible, twisting and turning around curves, pushing the pedal to the metal every chance we had available.  No, we didn’t get airborne like Bo and Luke customarily did in their chase scenes around Hazard County.   This new Challenger allows your senses to believe that much of what appears impossible in a car is actually possible with this one.  It really is a race-inspired vehicle.

When the Mustang became such a rage back in the mid-60’s, Chrysler Corporation needed a viable competitor and that is how the original Challenger was born.  It was a challenge to the Mustang and this new retro model does the same this year. 

Prices begin as low as $22,000, but most buyers will probably opt for the Hemi engines, the R/T or SRT upgrades.  This is not a car to be used for fuel efficiency.  It does burn up the gasoline.  Face it – a General Lee can’t just poke along in traffic.  That engine will be pushed to the max as often as possible. 
 
And for the record, there are many other retro, Apple pie and ice cream, American colors other than that Hemi orange on this car.  Check out the new 09 Challenger at your Chrysler – Dodge dealership and see what all the excitement is about.