Dodge Challenger Pricing announced leaked

Pricing for the Dodge Challenger SRT8 will start at $37,995 — including destination — with Dodge accepting orders beginning on December 3. Customers will have a choice of three colors — Black, Silver or HEMI Orange — with all three coming with carbon fiber racing stripes. Deliveries will begin in the spring.

The first offering of Challenger SRT8s will come with a numbered dash plaque, although Dodge failed to mention if all would be equipped with an automatic transmission as earlier reported.

Pricing for other Challenger models has yet to be revealed, but an announcement is expected to be made sometime in early-2008.

Powertrain
The Challenger was originally expected to be offered with a manual transmission and V8 engine only, but Allpar.com is reporting that the first 5,000 units will all be SRT8 models with an automatic transmission. In addition, these first car will begin production as early as March 2008 and will be sold as 2008 model year cars.

Shortly after that initial production run, Dodge will be offering three models of the Challenger as 2009 model year cars. The base model will be powered by a 3.5L V6 and will be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5L will be replaced by Chrysler's upcoming 4.0L Phoenix V6, but probably not until the 2011 model year.

R/T models will come equipped with a 5.7L V8 and buyers will have the option of a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. The SRT8 model adds a 6.1L V8 and can be mated to a five-speed auto or six-speed manual. A 6.4L could show up in the SRT model as soon as the 2010 model year.

A convertible is also expected to bow sometime in 2009 with all three trim levels available.

Manual transmission cars will come with Chrysler's Hill Start Assist technology — as used in the Dodge Ram, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and the Liberty — which maintains brake pressure until throttle is applied.

Dodge will also offer a Trak Pack, which appears to be little more than a marketing name given to a specific package of transmission, shifter and gearing.

Design
Recent images have also confirm the addition of a b-pillar to the Challenger's structure. Other less noticeable changes include taillights that have been divided into sections, a simplified grille, larger side mirrors, and more typical door handles".