SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Its official debut is still months away, but details are starting to leak out about the 2008 Dodge Challenger. According to Automotive News, Dodge plans to roll out the Challenger in two phases. A 5,000-car limited-run 2008 Challenger SRT will be unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show in February. The SRT will use the 6.1-liter Hemi mated to a five-speed automatic.

(Enlarge photo)

Only the Challenger SRT is expected to be offered for the 2008 model year. (Challenger Concept pictured) (Photo by Marc Ubano)

For the 2009 model year, Dodge will expand the Challenger lineup to include both 6.1- and 5.7-liter Hemi versions to be shown at the 2008 New York Auto Show in March. A six-speed manual will be added and possibly a dual-clutch transmission. Dodge will increase the Challenger's production output to 30,000-35,000 cars in 2009, says Automotive News.

What this means to you: Unless you're willing to pay up for the top-of-the-line SRT version, you won't be able to buy a Challenger until the 2009 model year.