2009 Dodge Challenger R/T
By DAVID GOODSPEED
Being the most practical adult on your block willmost likely earn you points at the PTA meeting and
the weekend youth soccer tournament, but for the rest of us, well, that's why they invented pony cars.
Back in the 1960s and Õ70s, two-door muscle cars
were rolling out of Detroit in grand fashion, carrying
names like Mustang, Camaro and of course,
Challenger.
But before many of us could earn our driver's
licenses, practicality put a stop to all of that "foolishness."
A few lucky souls held on to their prized
chariots of a bygone era, but most were relegated to clunky, slow,
unleaded sleds in ugly square body styles that delivered
neither show nor go.
Fast-forward to the new millennium where
Detroit automakers have seen fit to bring about the
dawn of a new era of the pony car, writing new
chapters in the bench racer's manual.
And I, for one, could not be happier.
Ford struck first with the rebirth of Mustang,
and Chevy has finally graced us with its release of a new Camaro.
And then there's Dodge.
Some of the strongest emotions I have seen in the company of musclecar enthusiasts are related to the Mopar heritage.
In recent years, the Chrysler Corporation has given us a new breed of rear-wheel-drive sedans, many carrying a new generation of HEMI engines. But where was the pony car?
I give you Challenger.
For this resurrected badge, Dodge is delivering
a two-door cruiser complete with modern-retro
styling and a range of powertrains sure to please all.
For me, anything less a HEMI under the hood would be a disappointment,
and for 2009, the hot V-8s are available with a six-speed manual
gearbox and limited-slip rear differential.
Our recent Challenger R/T tester came rolling in with the 5.7-liter HEMI and included the six-speed manual tranny along with optional Trak Pak that consists of taller rear end gears, anti-spin rear differential and dressier pedals. The R/T package adds the body side stripes, even taller rear end gears, larger brake package and cool 20-inch chrome wheels that bear a striking resemblance to the Cragar SS mags we all had in the "good old days." Pricing for the complete package comes to $37,410.
"Our all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger
is a modern-day muscle machine
representing the best from the past and
present," Mike Accavitti, director,
Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing,
said. "Nearly 40 years following
the debut of the original, we are
bringing Dodge Challenger back and
loading it with essential hardware,
styling and technology desired by
today's buyer."
To date, I have driven the Challenger with both SRT-8 powertrain and the 5.7-liter HEMI and, in my opinion, prefer the smaller engine with the manual gearbox on the R/T package. It is an easier package to drive every day in mixed road conditions and that R/T trim package just kicks things up an extra notch.
Essential Hardware
The Dodge Challenger SE, powered
by the 3.5-liter High Output V-6 with a
four-speed automatic transmission,
produces 250 hp and 250 lb. ft. of
torque.
The Dodge Challenger R/T features
the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
engine with a five-speed automatic
transmission that produces 372 hp and
401 lb. ft. of torque. For 2009, the
HEMI engine is upgraded to get on
average a 4 percent improvement in
fuel economy, an increase of more than
30 horsepower and up to 20 lb. ft.
improved torque over a greater range of
engine speeds. The Dodge Challenger
R/T also offers a precision-shift, six-speed
manual transmission Ð the first
for a new-generation HEMI-powered
car Ð that produces 376 hp and 410 lb.
ft. of torque when running on premium
fuel. The Dodge Challenger R/T can go
from zero to 60 mph in less than six
seconds.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
features an SRT-exclusive 6.1-liter
HEMI V-8 engine mated with a newfor-
2009 six-speed manual transmission
or a five-speed automatic transmission
with Auto Stick that generates
a blistering 425 hp and 420 lb. ft. of
torque. The vehicle can go from zero to
60 mph in less than five seconds.
Patterned off the Dodge Charger
architecture, the front short- and longarm
suspension and five-link independent
rear suspension system on all
Dodge Challenger models provides
excellent ride and handling characteristics.
Essential Styling
The Dodge Challenger design team
stayed true to the concept revealed at
the 2006 North American International
Auto Show, while drawing upon elements
from the original Challenger.
The result: A bold, aggressive muscle
machine that blends nostalgia with
modern Dodge style.
On the exterior, the long, raised performance
hood with scoops and
recessed grille with round dual headlamps
are reminiscent of the original
Dodge Challenger. The bold A-line, or
character line, that runs from stem to
stern gives the all-new 2009 Dodge
Challenger an instantly recognizable
muscle-car profile. Retro dual rectangular
exhaust outlets complete the look
from the rear.
On the interior, the trapezoidal
theme of the door-panel cove and
gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted
shifter console are inspired by the
original Dodge Challenger. The modern
interpretation of the Dodge Challenger
offers exceptional rear seating
and cargo capacity for a two-door
coupe.
Essential Technology
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger
offers customers a full range of innovative
technologies including:
¥ uconnect gps provides cutting-edge
audio and navigation with integrated
voice recognition and touch screen for
easy operation;
¥ uconnect phone provides convenient,
voice-activated communication with
Bluetooth cellular phones;
¥ uconnect studios with SIRIUS Digital
Satellite Radio offers a variety of commercial-
free radio programs and music;
¥ Keyless Go allows the driver to start
the vehicle with the simple push of a
button; and,
¥ Remote Start starts a secured vehicle
with the key fob.
2010 Acura RDX
I am not sure just exactly who coined the phrase "sport utility vehicle" but I feel they were a bit remiss in the target segment they were identifying. Most of those giant grocery-getters of the past decade-and-a-half were anything BUT sporty.
Fast forward to the 21st century and we have seen an entire new breed of SUVs, yet most have been redefined as crossover utility vehicles given the nature of configuring some form of cargo box on top of a car-based platform.
We recently spent some time behind the wheel of the latest Acura RDX, junior sibling to the MDX which was given a model-line makeover at the same time a couple of years back.
The new RDX offers plenty of Acura's sporty attitude in a package better suited for many given today's active lifestyles. A turbocharged powerplant under the hood blends excitement with the function afforded by the RDX's cargo box and a host of technology keeps occupants safe and entertained.
The 2.3-liter i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine is boosted to 240hp thanks to that turbo I mentioned and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift as standard. Acura even throws in paddle shifters on the steering wheel for more fun and excitement.
Keeping things on the road is the inclusion of Acura's SH-AWD system designed to optimize maximum available traction at all four corners while improving handling balance and responsiveness. Torque can be proportioned not only front to rear but left to right as well, and a cool digital gauge on the instrument panel lets you know where power is going instantaneously. A front-wheel-drive only model is new for 2010 and offers improved fuel economy and lower entry price point.
Also helping keep things on the road is standard vehicle stability assist with traction control, standard across all models.
And should worst come to worst, a host of safety equipment is onboard to provide assistance including front and side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensors and active from head restraints. RDX also includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and tire pressure monitoring system.
Inside is a cool new environment that bathes occupants in Acura comfort and craftsmanship along with some of the latest technology automakers have to offer. If the standard dual-zone automatic climate control, multi-information display, LED backlit gauges and 360-watt premium audio sound system with XM Satellite radio are not enough to tempt your senses you can spring for the technology package that adds navigation with voice recognition and real time traffic information, HandsFreeLink wireless telephone interface and eight-channel/10-speaker premium surround sound audio upgrade.
The new Acura RDX is rated at 19mpg city and 24mpg highway for FWD models (17/22 for SH-AWD) and rides on standard 18-inch wheels and tires. Pricing begins at $32,520 and climbs to the mid-$37K range with the technology package and SH-AWD that our tester featured. Another noteworthy item is that the RDX is assembled in Ohio using some 65 percent American parts Ð plus it gets a perfect five-star crash test rating.
Essence of Infiniti in Dallas
True, I may be just a "Gaijin" from Texas, but I do know a work of art when I see one. The new Infiniti Essence concept car is just that.
Staring at it in adoration I think I also broke a few commandments.
Debuting to the U.S. public at the recent Pebble Beach Concours, the new Infiniti Essence concept vehicle appears to be of perfect form and function for a dream machine, a car that many may lust after and others sell their souls for.
Thank goodness it is only a concept – so to speak.
Think of Essence as more of a commitment by the manufacturer, a show of good faith – a mission statement.
If the Essence concept is the future of Infiniti (and how I hope it is) drivers and automotive enthusiasts alike have good reason to enjoy great optimism.
Under the visionary direction of Takashi Nakajima, Essence was designed to embody everything Infiniti stands for – past, present and future.
"It is a brand icon, an advocate for a unique set of values," says Nakajima. "Not a teaser for a new model." Infiniti says Essence is a belief that every car should be measured on a human level.
And as I witnessed firsthand on a recent "Essence of Infiniti" stopover in Dallas, Texas, Essence commands that human emotion, be it envy, lust or mere admiration. This car demands attention. Grown men almost weep in its presence and women want it.
At times I found myself lost in Essence's deep reflective surfaces, its supple curves, its decadent interior. Other times I found myself wondering when I could drive one, to which the answer is: Never – and soon.
As I said before, this is the Infiniti Essence, and this is the essence of Infiniti.
We should soon see elements of the Essence concept in all Infiniti product, be it design, engineering, technology or performance.
A quick overview of the Infiniti Essence concept reveals:
• A front-engined, two-seat, 592-horsepower, rear-wheel drive luxury coupe concept measuring 185 inches long
• A preview of Infiniti’s gasoline/electric hybrid drivetrain – capable of high speeds when conditions allow, zero emissions where they don’t
• Fresh design language to influence future production models
• New safety technology, including Back-up Collision Prevention
• Minimalist and intensely driver-focused interior
• “New luxury” meets traditional Japanese craftsmanship
• Louis Vuitton fitted luggage to maximize trans-continental capability
Somewhere along the way I am reminded that this ethereal Infiniti is a Nissan at heart, no matter how opulent and decadent she proves. And while Nissan has taken performance to heart in much of its product lineup, Essence is no Nissan.
Essence is Infiniti ... and beyond (to paraphrase a popular movie line).
Essence was launched as a celebration of Infiniti and its 20-year history as a creator of performance cars as well as a glimpse of its future.
It seems Essence engineers and designers took every attention to detail to the next level: Instead of merely combining a gasoline engine with a hybrid electric motor Infiniti engineers added twin turbochargers to the V-6 under the long hood; instead of fitting the door panels with sleek outside rearview mirrors Essence utilizes rearview cameras mounted high in the A-pillars; instead of providing an electric power trunk release button in the dash panel the rear decklid can be accessed via electric motors that respond to a handheld remote control, and the custom fitted luggage is delivered a la motorized tray.
Wind noise should be at a bare minimum thanks to the elimination of the exterior mirrors and a solid, curved front wind screen that flows as one piece over the heads of driver and occupant. And speaking of the passenger compartment, designers have seen fit to include a dual-tone leather, Alcantara and hand-painted wood interior – albeit the tone separation is right down the middle giving driver a shade of black and passenger something a bit rosier.
The cockpit screams of simplicity and performance while also rivaling that of the finest European performance coupes in a design theme I would call "decadent simplicity."
I think Infiniti says it best here: "Simple yet complex, elegant yet dynamic, the Essence perfectly balances the mechanics of technology with the fluidity of nature. As Nakajima puts it, "It is everything I want, nothing I don't."
We hear you Nakajima-san, we hear you.
