SRT to debut Challenger SRT10 Concept at SEMA!

The Dodge Challenger Concept debuted as an R/T at the
Detroit Auto Show, but the 6.1L engine found in the concept had been the
trademark feature of the SRT lineup, so when the Challenger met the world in
production form, it followed suit of the other SRT 6.1L vehicles, including the
SRT aesthetic upgrades associated with the trimline.  The Viper will be seeing the end of its
production, and there has been no indication of what would become of the V10
powerplant from the Viper and SRT-10 Rams.

Well, the boys at SRT must have had some spare time, and the
fruits of their labor will debut at SEMA 08 in the form of the Dodge Challenger
SRT-10 Concept.  Under the hood, the
Viper 8.4L engine packing 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque, being fed to
the wheels via the Viper’s 6-speed manual transmission.  Helping the Challenger SRT-10 Concept dig
through the corners, a set of Bilstein shocks has been added, along with an
improved braking system.  Like the Viper
Competition Coupe that has been a familiar show circuit vehicle, the Challenger
SRT-10 is finished in Tornado Red, with carbon fiber and black accents.  The Concept wears a set of unique, huge
five-spoke aluminum rims, a vintage styled carbon fiber Shaker hood, a chin
spoiler, and a black rear spoiler and trunk lid.  Inside, the Challenger SRT-10 Concept sport
seats with carbon fiber accents all around the interior.

While the likelihood of seeing this 600 horsepower factory
Challenger see production is pretty low, there is no question that this is
clearly one of the sexiest Concept SRT has thrown out there, and with the Viper
leaving the lineup and the Challenger R/T getting a jump in horsepower, the
current SRT8 Challenger could use a little boost to separate itself from the
non-SRT models. 

Could this V10 monster be Dodge’s next flagship performance
car?  Ford continues to dabble in the art
of high performance Mustangs and Chevy has a handful of super high powered
engines (LS9) sitting around with rumors flying around one of those finding its
way into a new Camaro, so there’s no reason why Dodge couldn’t offer these up
in limited numbers.  Sure, there are
reasons like the slumping economy and questionable fuel prices, but from
strictly a gearheads view, the Dodge Challenger SRT-10 Concept is one of the
coolest concepts in years, and this package could put the Challenger atop the
muscle car war.

Stay tuned for more information upon the debut in Las Vegas from DodgeForum.com, your source for SEMA 2008 event coverage!!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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