2009 Dodge Challenger V6 to account for 40% of Challenger sales

March 25, 2008March 25, 2008 Omar Rana

2009 Dodge Challenger V6 to account for 40% of Challegner sales

Introduced at the 2008 New York Auto Show, Dodge expects 40 percent of Challenger sales to come from the entry-level V6 version of the 2009 Challenger. Last week, Dodge took the covers off the Challenger SE, which is powered by a 3.6 liter V6 that produces 250-hp and the Challenger R/T, which is powered by a 5.7 liter HEMI V8 that produces 370-hp.

According to Bryan Zvinelman, Chrysler expects the R/T trim level to be the volume seller, however the automaker believes that the SE will attract buyers who are less concerned with speed and more with the price or fuel-economy.

“The look of the car is a big part of its appeal, and people will be happy to have that for just over $20,000,” he said. That rough price refers to the base SE trim level; the SRT8 stickers for $37,320.

Zvibelman said he expects V6 Challenger sales to follow that of the Ford Mustang. The Dodge Challenger SE is estimated to get 18/25 mpg city/highway, versus the base Mustang automatic’s 16/24 mpg. The manual Mustang V-6 is rated at 17/26 mpg.

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and SE: