2015 Dodge Challenger R/T

Full, up front disclosure: I LOVE the new Dodge Challenger. I've loved it since it's reintroduction back in 2008, and even more after the facelift in 2015. It has always been a bit difficult to put my finger on exactly what draws me to the Challenger so much, because it surely isn't based on the sheer performance of the car. What it is based on, is the attitude.

375 horsepower out of the 5.7 liter V8 isn't necessarily A LOT of power, but coupled with the 410 foot pounds of torque its more than enough to get the Challenger up the road in a hurry. 1/4 mile times are somewhere in the mid 13 second mark, which is a good bit slower than a V8 Mustang or Camaro, but that isn't even important. The new Challenger isn't about being the fastest, its about bringing back the best of generations past. Think about it, what's good about an old muscle car? Its slower than a new Golf GTI, much worse on fuel, harder to drive, less reliable, frequently more expensive, and doesn't come with a warranty. There isn't a single measurable way to justify buying an old muscle car, but none of that even matters. Old muscle cars are about the attitude, the nostalgia, the charisma. Its about being in a car that looks like it wants to smack any import in the mouth. No other car has pulled this off since the death of the Trans Am WS6 in 2002. With its dual ram-air hood and garage-designed aero pack it looked like the guy in the gym who out-benches half the other gym members combined for absolutely no reason.  

That is what makes the new Challenger so perfect. In a world so seemingly obsessed with "just what's necessary" the Challenger is the overkill that's been missing in the car world. Sure, there isn't any reason for a two door car to be as long as a Chevrolet Tahoe, but in today's society there's no REASON to make a V8 car at all. However, no one (besides the EPA) wants to see those go away. Even just sitting in the Challenger feels cool. The feeling of nearly 8 feet of car in front of you and 8 feet behind you is just far too unique in the car world. Back in 1969 the Ford Mustang grew by nearly half a foot for absolutely no reason. Why? Because this is America, and in America bigger is better. It really is that simple. America embodies overkill, being bigger, being stronger, being in your face. Ever been in an altercation and wished that you were smaller? Wished that you were weaker? Wished that you were slower? Of course not, that's like going into an exam and wishing you didn't study so much.

Cruising along, the 5.7 liter V8 burbles and crackles no matter what gear you're in. The transmission shifts as smooth as butter. Dodge didn't make the same mistake Ford did by developing their manual transmissions in house, instead they opted to go with the tried and true TR6060. The engine revs smoothly and freely, and plenty of torque is available at any RPM. As far as physical characteristics go, the most impressive part of the 2015 Challenger is the interior. It has a very retro look, but with all the high quality materials and technology you would want in a modern car. The seats are comfortable, adjustable, heated and cooled, the steering wheel is smooth and heated for those cold mornings, and all touch surfaces feel absolutely perfect to the finger tips.  The outgoing 2014 Challenger was bland and boring on the inside, so the upgrade was much needed.

Unlike most, I actually truly enjoy the handling characteristics of the Challenger. It's by no means fast in the corners, but it is very fun. The transition from light throttle to full throttle out of a corner feels explosive, you can feel the rear end squat and dig for traction while that giant hood gets lifted. Sure, there are a lot of great handling cars that don't have a lot of power. The MX-5 is one example, its handling relies on carrying a ton of speed through a corner, and it's certainly much more capable of doing so than the Challenger.

People often compare the Challenger to a boat, which I can certainly see. What I can't see, is why they think of this as a negative thing. Have you ever been on a big boat with a big engine? Sure, there are jet ski's out there running circles around you, but none of that matters when you put the hammer down and lift that giant hull out of the water.