Dodge Challenger: Bold. Brazen. Bodacious

Believe it or not, the muscle car wars have returned.

Dodge has fired the first salvo with the introduction of the 2008 Challenger SRT8. It will reach showrooms in May, a few months before a new Chevrolet Camaro. Both models are answers to Ford's retro-styled Mustang, unveiled in 2005.

The Challenger will be available only in high-performance SRT8 trim. Usually, Dodge's Street and Racing Technology models are introduced a year after a new vehicle is introduced. But the SRT division was involved from the start, said Kip Owen, director of Dodge's SRT division.

Here's a look at Dodge's revived muscle car.

First things first.

How fast will it go?

0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds

0-100-0 mph: 16.7 seconds

60-0 mph: 13.3 seconds

Top speed: 170 mph

What's under the sheet metal?

A shortened version of the Dodge Charger SRT8, with the powerful 6.1-liter Hemi V8 rated at 425 horsepower and 420 foot-pounds of torque. A five-speed automatic that can be shifted manually will be the only transmission initially offered.

What's the back story?

By using the rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger platform, Dodge is bringing the Challenger to market in just 21 months. Because it's shorter than the Charger, Dodge had to recalibrate the Challenger's suspension. Otherwise, this car's underpinnings were already engineered.

How does it differ form the 2006 concept car?

Efforts were made to maintain the look of the concept. Styling details were changed to make it even truer to the original. One example: The concept car's cross-hair grille was eliminated.

Are the aerodynamic add-ons for show or go?

The Challenger's spoiler and front air splitter, just below the grille, are functional. "They're meant to create downforce to help the driver maintain on-track handling and balance," Dodge's Owen says.

Are there any special features?

Standard features include a 180-mph speedometer, and a reconfigurable display called performance pages, which tracks quarter-mile, one-eighth mile, 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph-0 and 60 mph-0 time. Options include GPS navigation, keyless entry, a dash-mounted hard drive. In addition, all SRT owners can participate in a track day run by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The daylong session is meant to improve driving skill.

When will it hit showrooms?

By May, according to Dodge. Only 6,400 will be produced for 2008, each with a numbered dash plaque. Dodge will announce additional product details at the New York Auto Show in March.

Model history

The Challenger first debuted for 1970, a latecomer to the muscle car wars. Engines ran the gamut from a 145-horsepower six-cylinder to a 425-horsepower Hemi V8. Both a coupe and convertible were offered. In all, nine powertrains and six models were offered. The convertible model was dropped for 1972. The coupe would last until 1974. But escalating insurance rates and EPA mandates had sapped performance. The top engine option was a 245-horsepower, 360 cubic-inch V8. From 1978 to 1984, the name was used for a Mitsubishi-built compact.

Race history

Sam Posey drove a Trans Am racing Challenger and finished fourth overall in points in 1970. Drag racers Dick Landy and Ted Spehar drove Challengers in the National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class. A Dodge Challenger paced the Indianapolis 500 race in 1971.

On the screen

A 1970 Challenger R/T starred in the film "Vanishing Point." Dodge Challengers also have been seen in such films as "Used Cars" and "Natural Born Killers" and on television shows such as "The Mod Squad."