Dodge Challenger R/T Classic – Get Yours Today

It looks like something Dodge had on display at the 2009 North Americna International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit will actually go into production. No, it won’t be a forward-looking electric car but rather a retro inspired version of the all-new Challenger.

Available as of today for $34,005, the Challenger R/T Classic gets a long list of “classic” design cues to bring back memories of the good old days.

For starters, the Challenger R/T Classic gets two wide side R/T stripes and old-school Challenger heritage badging. It also gets retro-inspired 20-inch chrome wheels, an egg-crate grille with an R/T badge, a body colored rear spoiler and a chrome fuel door. On the hood can be found two functional hood scoops!

Dodge will offer the Challenger R/T Classic in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Stone White, as well as three Dodge heritage colors: HEMI Orange, TorRed and B5 Blue.

Of course, the R/T Classic comes with the latest version of Dodge’s 5.7-liter HEMI engine, which produces 376 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque – enough to ensure a sub six-second 0-60 mph time. A performance exhaust is also a part of the package so you can hear that baby rumble.

A six-speed Tremec manual is standard equipment with a 5-speed auto optional. The six-speed gets a precision-shift “pistol-grip” shifter, Hill Start Assist and a 3.92 differential and both models come with a Track-Pak that includes special pedals, four-wheel disk brakes and stability control with a traction control system that can be shut off.

Inside the retro theme continues with a trapezoidal theme for the door-panel cover and gauge cluster. A dark headliner, slanted shifter console and “four bomb” gauge cluster are also inspired by the origial.

Official release after the jump:

All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Adds More Nostalgic Flavor to Modern American Muscle Car
All-new R/T Classic pays homage to Dodge Challengers of yesteryear
• Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features unique throwback design cues
• Legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 delivers zero to 60 mph performance in less than six seconds
• Six-speed manual transmission features performance-tuned dual exhaust with “low restriction” bottle resonators for optimum throatiness
• Functional dual hood scoops are new to R/T Classic and stay true to Dodge Challenger’s heritage
• Original B5 Blue returns from the Chrysler paint code archive
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Jan 16, 2009 –
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics—unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic goes further with even more memorable blast-from-the-past design cues. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic starts at $34,005 (including $725 destination) and is available for ordering now at Dodge dealerships nationwide.

“Our all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is more than a modern-day muscle machine, it pays homage to one of the most storied nameplates in automotive history,” said Dan Knott, Vice President—Car / Minivan / SRT Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “With heritage-inspired dual-wide body-side R/T stripes, original ‘Challenger’ heritage badging and the newest generation of our legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, the new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic delivers the greatness of our pony car past with advanced fuel-efficient muscle.”

Based on the powerful 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic not only delivers a menacing look and premium equipment—its powertrain delivers an unforgettable punch. With dual throwback A-line body-side R/T stripes, ‘Challenger’ fender badging in classic script, large 20-inch polished-chrome heritage wheels with all-season performance tires, classic egg-crate grille with heritage ‘R/T’ badge, body-color rear spoiler and chromed fuel-filler door—the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is unmistakable.

“Dodge Challenger has a rich performance heritage and the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic encompasses numerous technologies that allow great on-road performance while delivering proven-quality and refinement to ensure its place in the Dodge pony car history,” said Knott.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic tucks its legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine under a long, raised performance hood with functional hood scoops to increase engine cooling. The newest generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine features dual variable-cam timing (VCT) and dual ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder) to increase power and torque, while improving refinement and efficiency.

When paired with the Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic features the performance-minded Track Pak’s precision-shift “pistol-grip” shifter, bright pedals, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with defeatable traction control, Hill Start Assist (HSA), four-wheel disc performance braking system and an anti-spin 3.92 differential. A performance-tuned dual exhaust optimizes engine back pressure and exhaust throatiness by replacing the standard under-floor muffler with two low-restriction bottle resonators. The result, a powerful 376 horsepower (280 kW) and 410 lb.-ft. of torque (556 N•m) that can accelerate the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.

An available five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick provides efficiency and responsiveness in the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic. An aggressive first-gear ratio provides outstanding launch performance, while the transmission’s fully-adaptive electronic control delivers more responsiveness without harshness.

When paired with the automatic transmission, the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 includes the fuel-saving multi-displacement system (MDS) allowing Dodge Challenger R/T Classic to operate economically on four cylinders, or produce 372 horsepower (277 kW) and 401 lb.-ft. of torque (544 N•m) when all eight cylinders are needed.

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. Inspiration from the past continues with a “four bomb” gauge cluster with deep easy-to-read white faces. Premium leather-trimmed bucket seats with heat are well-bolstered and finished with French-seamed stitching. The advanced uconnect gps with voice recognition, navigation with real-time traffic and Universal Customer Interface (UCI) is available on the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared with the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.)—equal to the Dodge Charger—the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic offers comfort and functionality.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic is available in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Stone White and three Dodge heritage colors—HEMI® Orange, TorRed and B5 Blue. Dodge dealerships nationwide are now accepting orders for the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic.

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Production
Production of the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic will start in February 2009 at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the award-winning and quality-proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.