rhumb

Autoblog had a bit on what the Challenger's drive train specs will look like. Not wholly unsurprising but very nice. Not only will it include a V6 version for the secretaries and teenagers with 47 points on their licenses, but an SRT8 version on top with both a slush box and stick, the latter with a 3.92 limited slip pumpkin out back to pop it out of the hole.

Interesting aside feature is the Hill Start Assist feature to aid 16 year old junior, license fresh in hand, get his beclutched Christmas Challenger SRT8 up and out of the basement garage without rear ending dad's tool chest and weed whacker.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/26/d...r-drivetrains/

MustangFanatic

Thanks for sharing rhumb. All still rumors of course but everything presented is consistent with existing information and current product offerings. I'm still not a big fan of the Challenger, it will be packing big HP but also big lbs (hence then need for a 3.92 diff). The competition from Chrysler and GM will be appreciated, can only improve our steed.

Knight

so the automatic hemi doesn't get a limited slip diff?

exgto

The Challenger is flat out going to rip. If an SRT8 can manage a low 13 high 12 with a peg leg 3.06 and a an A5 trans, the lighter Challenger with 3.92's and a 6-speed will be a beast.

The R/T will be pretty potent too as the 5.7 hemi is getting a power bump to 380hp in '09.

05fordgt

Who said the Challenger is going to be lighter? If anything, with the need to make all safety items standard, the Challenger may be even heavier.

exgto

All signs point to the production Challenger weighing less than the current LX models. I've been following this car from day one. The printed speculation is still at the 4,000lb mark or just under.

Boomer

Might depend on how heavy the unknown 6.4 are as well...

rhumb

I imagine the Challenger will be somewhat lighter than current LXs, my guess about 200 lbs svelter, but nothing that will shame a Lotus Elise but would share a boxing ring with the GT500.

That said, both V8 versions should be quite fast. I'd guess the ATX versions to be slightly faster -- .1-.2 seconds -- than a Charger with the same lump under the hood. The clutched versions, however, should be significantly swifter, especially the SRT8 sporting six cogs to choose from and a deep 3.92 diff to leverage the Hemi's brodigious twist. My guess for the top dog, mid 12's through the quarter at perhaps 110 through the traps. This all presupposes the current engine ratings.

Not sure about the ATX diffs being open or working both wheels, what's in the current 5.7 Hemi LXs?

exgto

Current diff's in the LX are open but managed by the computer and the ratio is 2.92 I believe.

As an aside, I am really tempted by this car. It has the displacemt and power to make it very appealing to sell my GT and move into a Challenger. The problem is that I think the price is going to be a good bit more than I want to pay for a toy.

I am literally on the cusp of building a stroker for the GT, but have this feeling that as soon as prices become realistic the urge to sell my GT and buy a Chally will be too much to resist. Realistically that's probably 2 years away.

burningman

I'll take a Manual RT please with the track pak

Black331

So will Ford do anything to keep the GT on top? Or will it continue on with 300 horsepower?

05fordgt

The standard GT won't go up against the SRT8 Challengers. That is what the Shelby GT500 is going up against.

RCSignals

I may have just missed it, but will they still be using Mercedes rear ends and automatic transmissions?

From body in white pics I've seen the Challenger has a huge center tunnel

Zastava_101

I would rather go with Charger than Challenger.

jmanpatsfan

I see you are not a huge fan of teenagers.

Wolfsburg

Soooo, how much?

rhumb

Was one, once, awkward period. Perhaps my disdain is more for parents who give their fresh-from-drivers-ed darling the keys to a 425+hp pony car who are obviously poorly trained to handle such a beast. Heck, these days, most kids don't even know what a clutch pedal is, what with some vast majority of cars coming with slush boxes.

Now if you learned to shift on a '61 International Cub Low Boy farm tractor at 8 years old like I did, then strap a supercharger on that thang before you slide junior the keys.

Now for the other shoe to drop, just what will the Camaro be packing under the hood?

And what will Ford have to counter?

Boomer

stuff....they'll have...stuff....

Come on people...work with me...you've seen on this site

Wolfsburg

I think a consolidated list of the "stuff" that the next Mustang will have that have been mentioned on these forums would be nice.

rhumb

Trouble is, Ford's kept a tight lid on actual details. Lot's of speculation, some of it informed even, but no real hard intelligence like the Challenger driveline specs.

Some big guesses/speculation for the next Stang enters the fray in, well, there's a big question right there:

• Styling: slight primping or overhaul it?
• Suspension: 19th century SLA or 21st century IRS?
• Engine: muddle on with the Mod motor or blow 'em out of the water with a Boss motor?
• Interior: Redo or Refresh?

Again, lot's of speculation, but few hard facts.