So we got a 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
The last time we got behind the wheel of a Dodge Challenger SRT8 was back in early 2011, driving a 2010 version with the 6.1-litre Hemi and standard bouncy suspension. Even then, it left a mark on our minds, more so than its two other rivals, as the best iteration of a true muscle-car that harks back to the hey-days of the 1960s. And then the 392 version came out in late 2011, with a host of upgrades, including a 6.4-litre Hemi and adaptive suspension. But this is the first time we got to try it out.
The big beefy Challenger is the most retro-looking of the muscle-car trio, and that’s the most appealing thing about it. The SRT8 gets a front chin spoiler, big SRT-engraved wheels and the SRT-badged rear lip spoiler. These 392 versions can be definitively identified only by its fender badges, compared to the pre-2011 model.
Inside, the same old Challenger interior continues, very unimaginative, but still packing better pliable materials than its rivals, as well as some beefy front seats and a useable back seat.
The boot is rendered much less useable though, thanks to a full-size spare tyre that doesn’t exactly fit back there. If we owned one of these cars, we’d take it out and use it as a coffee table.
Beyond the obvious, the Challenger is better to drive than ever before, with its new mechanical hardware. At a time when we feel that almost every car is overpriced, it’s one of the few cars we’d actually pull the trigger on with our own money, if we had the space on our fleet. More in the full review.
Desert photos by Faisal Khatib. Other photos by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury.
Comments
jumbo
American plastic car
Aurelius
It’s an awesome car. What do you have?
Aldrin
yeaa…I agree with aurelius…this is one of the only true muscle cars left…the new mustang and vette can no longer be called muscle cars…with the 2015 mustang being available with 4 cyl and 6cyl engines ONLY…its totally bullshit…!!
marc
exactly aldrin… because mother nature doesnt deserve any consideration.
4cm, right?..
samer
Aldrin, i agree that the Challenger is the best iteration of muscle cars, but the new mustang will still come with the V8, 4 cyl only aimed to European market
jumbo
I got bmw 750il
Aurelius
Ah, hotel limo driver.
Faisal Khatib
Ouch!!!
Sting316
I did not see the spare wheel left out in the boot space in the 5.7 ltr model. Its selling for 15.750 BD in Bahrain.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Only the SRT8 has a full-size spare, due to its larger brakes. A space-saver spare wheel does not fit over an SRT’s Brembo brakes.
Sting316
Oh, but will the other challenger models have the full size spare? Planning on getting one this Ramadan 🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Not sure. I suspect they have space-saver spares.
Iucid
My 2012 R/T Classic has the space saver, guess it is the same with the newer models.
SpinTwister
Celebrating Dodge week , eh? 😉
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
They’re the easiest peeps to get cars from 😉
RayanK
Gone are the good old days!
Lazy
A 392 can also be identified by full body stripes compared to 6.1’s only bonnet stripe and black spoiler
Abdullah
@Mash
Just to let you know, I’m a huge fan of DriveArabia, and seems like i’m the youngest too as im only fourteen years old, yet the abundance of automotive information I have is equal to any Car Guru!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Good stuff. Join the MyRide forums, son.
jumbo
yes I am your neighbor from Kerala