Performance Review: Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Challenger Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Dodge Challenger has a 5654cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Challenger shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Challenger's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1841 kgs (4058 lbs) this makes the Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Challenger shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5654cc 16V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 404 lb-ft (547.7 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Challenger you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (228.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Challenger.

The Dodge Challenger has a Power to weight ratio of 203.6 bhp per ton and 219.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Challenger competing with the 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (228.3 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (228.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Challenger generating around 219.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Jaguar XJ 3.0D V6 600 LWB (244.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 (244.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Challenger and the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Challenger on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.85 secs @ 98.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (13.78 secs), the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (13.78 secs), and the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (13.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Challenger equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Challenger Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison