Challenger, Ready! Dodge Gets Set For SEMA

Despite its various fiscal misfortunes and reputation for churning out soul-less and unexciting pickups and minivans, Chrysler did get at least two things right: it built the Dodge Viper way back in the 1990s, and earlier this year, it revived a long-dead nameplate and launched the beautiful, brawny and incredibly popular third-generation Challenger.

So then, what happens when you get the monstrous V10 engine from the Viper and shoehorn it into the shapely form of the Challenger? Do two rights make a wrong, or is the resultant Franken-car best described as simply 'Awesomeness'?

To find out, Dodge took the Viper's 8.4-litre, 447kW all-alloy V10, plonked it in an unsuspecting Challenger's engine bay and threw on some Bilstein dampers, bigger brakes and a bunch of carbon-fibre accoutrements for good measure. Called the Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept, the Tornado Red half-breed also sports a more-supportive set of seats as well as a shaker hood poking through its carbon-fibre bonnet.

The Challenger SRT10 Concept was built for the upcoming SEMA show, the world's largest trade show for the aftermarket auto industry. Sadly, Joe Q. Public can't get into SEMA to check out the SRT10 Concept in person as it's strictly a trade-and-press-only affair. As compensation, however, we've got a bunch of pictures showing the mighty V10-powered behemoth using its 759Nm of torque to vaporise some bags.

Dodge will also be showcasing the Dodge Challenger Targa, which competed in this year's Targa Newfoundland and finished second in its class. Featuring braking and suspension hardware from the Nurburgring-dominating Viper ACR and boasting an entire catalogue's worth of Mopar parts, the Challenger Targa illustrates perfectly that big American muscle cars are just as capable around a twisting tarmac rally stage as they are on a drag strip.

Also at the Dodge stand at SEMA 2008 will be the Dodge Challenger Blacktop. a styling exercise that merges Mopar performance parts with one heck of a bad-arse matte-black finish. With 22-inch rims borrowed from the Viper (see a theme here?) and a Mopar coil-over suspension, the Blacktop smoulders with a mean gangsta stance. Some bolt-on breathing mods also endow its 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with some added zing.

For more information on Dodge's SEMA Challengers, hit up the Press Release link below.

Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept Debuts at 2008 SEMA Show

Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept

The opportunity for SRT engineering to “one-up” itself comes to fruition with the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept. Power for the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept comes from the Dodge Viper 8.4-litre, all-aluminium V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb. ft. of torque. This new halo concept delivers the well-known SRT credo of benchmark performance. The Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept includes a fresh coat of Tornado Red paint with a carbon-fibre deck lid and hood. The “shaker hood” is a nostalgic representation of the 1970 HEMI Cuda, giving the 600-hp Viper V-10 engine room to breathe. Brakes have been upgraded and BILSTEIN® shocks at all four corners improve handling balance. The interior boasts sport seats and carbon-fibre accents throughout and, of course, true to the Viper-powered vehicle - a red engine start push-button in the dash.

Dodge Challenger Blacktop

The Dodge Challenger Blacktop Concept is a menacing creation from the minds of the Mopar Underground design team. The Dodge Challenger Blacktop began life as a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 and six-speed manual transmission. Mopar Underground added custom-made spoilers and front brow. To finish off the look, a black-on-black racing stripe paint scheme was added. The “in the weeds” stance and superb handling characteristics are accomplished by the Mopar coil-over suspension and strut tower brace. Blacktop rolls on massive 22-inch Dodge Viper wheels from Factory Reproductions wrapped in Dunlop tyres measuring 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear. To ensure the powertrain can keep up with the suspension, under hood performance is enhanced. The addition of Mopar components, including a cat back dual-exhaust, cold air intake, allow the HEMI V-8 to breathe easy. The interior has been enhanced with Katzkin leather seating finished in bright red plus a Mopar Kicker audio system for premium sound.

Dodge Challenger Targa

The Dodge Challenger Targa is a full-blown competition car that raced and completed the infamous Targa Newfoundland race this year. “Samantha” started life as a Mopar Challenger drag race package car. Many features were borrowed from the Dodge Viper, but the most noticeable is the snakeskin green paint. To keep the front end down, a Mopar chin spoiler "Splats“ developed in a full scale wind tunnel, was added to the front of the car. Mopar gauges keep a close eye on the vital signs. The Mopar hood is equipped with a scoop to make room for the 540-horsepower, 490 lb. ft. of torque, 392 HEMI® V8 Mopar crate motor. Mated to a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox, the engine blasts power to the rear wheels through a production 2009 modified gear ratio in the rear end. An abundance of fade resistant stopping power comes from Stop-Tech brakes. Up front, the six-piston calipers clamp 380-millimetre rotors, while in the rear, four-pot calipers work with 355-mm rotors. Developed by KW, the race suspension and brake upgrades came from a proven hero — the Dodge Viper ACR. With only a few exceptions, the Dodge Challenger Targa was built using parts available through Mopar