SEMA Review: 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger
Hurst Performance has made a name for itself by offering their quality performance shifters, and in their long and prestigious history, they have even dabbled in special edition trimlines, such as the Chrysler 300 Hurst and the Hurst Oldsmobiles. The 2008 SEMA Show revealed to the world the newest installation in the Hurst legacy with the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger, which is offered in four different “Series” options, with varying levels of modifications and performance. The display car at the SEMA Show was the first unit of the Series 4 package, which is based on a Challenger SRT-8, packed with a 6.1L Hemi, and in this case, an automatic transmission.
Like all Hurst packages, it begins inside the car with a prominent Hurst shifter, and on the passenger’s side of the dash is set a dash plaque announcing the series and production number of that particular Hurst/Hemi Challenger. The interior is dressed up by adding Hurst leather interior, with embroidered logos on the seat backs and gold stitching throughout the interior, and the interior package is completed by a Mopar/Kicker premium audio system.
The performance of the Hurst/Hemi Challenger is enhanced by adding Eiback and Bilstein suspension components, helping to keep the 20″ Hurst polished and forged wheels to the ground, and BFG KDW high performance tires help the Challenger hold the road. The Series 4 models come with the 6.1L Hemi, where the Series 1, 2, and 3 all include the 5.7L Hemi, but the Series 3 and Series 4 packages both include the addition of a Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system and more importantly a Vortech Supercharger. As displayed in the SEMA show car, the Series 4 Hurst/Hemi Challenger makes an impressive 560 horsepower.
The exterior of this special edition Challenger leaves no question that this is a Hurst model, with Hurst logos on the front, back, and sides, accompanying the familiar Hurst gold trim. The Series 1 models are available in any color, but starting with Series 2, the Hurst cars are available only in white and black, all with the thick gold stripes and body colored rear wing. As a final interesting addition, the Series 3 and 4 models come with a custom car cover, matching the color of the vehicle, and including a set of gold stripes.
There is still no set price on the Hurst/Hemi Challenger packages, but rumors suggest that the Series 1 package may cost around 10,000 over the base price, with the Series 3 and 4 coming in around 20,000 over MSRP…but again, these are all just rumors. What we do know for sure is that Hurst has done an awesome job of making one of the best looking production Challengers available in a very crowded Challenger performance market.
Information on the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger from Hurst Performance Vehicles:
SERIES 1 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
SERIES 1 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
K&N Air Filter
Colors: Any color
No stripes or graphics
SERIES 2 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
K&N Air Intake system
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 2 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Available Colors are White and Black
Hurst Gold hood graphics
SERIES 3 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 3 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Limited Paint Color Series: White or Black Only
HURST Gold racing stripes
MOPAR Hood
HURST body color rear deck spoiler
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes
SERIES 4 SRT8 6.1 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 4 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Limited Paint Color Series: Black with HURST Gold racing stripes
MOPAR Hood
HURST body color rear deck spoiler
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes