Who said musclecars are dead? Certainly not Dodge, which launches its new Challenger SRT8 392. Key to the car is the revival of the 392 cubic-inch Hemi engine (that’s 6.42 liters to us), pumping out 470 hp and a whopping 470 lb-ft (618 Nm) of torque, 118 Nm more than the previous not-exactly-underpowered 6.1-liter V8.
To help ensure that the Challenger SRT8 392 isn’t good only in a straight line, Dodge has recalibrated the suspension and shocks to improve the car’s balance and cornering ability. The steering ration has also been quickened, leading to a more “tossable” feel, while still retaining the 0.93g of skid pad measured lateral acceleration.
Looking like a refugee from the Deathproof set, the 392 looks the part of a killer vehicle. For the first owners, optional colors include the blue-stripes-on-white, or white-stripes-on-blue shown here. 20-inch polished wheels, 392 Hemi badges, quad exhaust tips and larger front splitter, and rear decklid spoiler are the key styling cues. The seats will be trimmed in pearl white leather and embroidered “392” logo below the headrest.
The original 392 Hemi engine was introduced in 1957 and became a favorite of the drag racers of the day. The engine was in production only until 1958, after which it became a sought-after collectible feature. Chrysler’s Mopar launched a crate-engine version of the 392 in 2007, and now it’s back in the Challenger. In the Philippines, Dodge is distributed by CATS Motors.
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