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2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 – Competitors

Right now the Challenger has one competitor on the streets, but by next year there will be two. In the here and now there's the Ford Mustang. With only 300 horsepower, the Mustang GT would seem to be at a significant disadvantage to the Challenger's mighty 6.1-liter Hemi. However, the Mustang weighs 600 pounds less than the portly Dodge, and with its five-speed manual transmission is only a little bit slower to 60. Of course, there is more out there than just the Mustang GT. The Bullitt packs a little extra power, and thanks to a shorter rear end gear keeps a closer pace with the Challenger. Then there's the GT500, the mightiest of the Mustangs. With 500 supercharged horses on tap, the GT500 handily beats the Challenger to 60 mph by a good half second or so at about the same price. The Mustang is also available as a convertible in all of its trim levels; the Challenger is hard-top only. However, when the road gets twisty, even the Mustang GT500's solid rear axle plants its handling squarely in the past. Combine that with the Challenger's on-road refinement and the Mustang has a hard time keeping up in any of its many versions.

The production version of the next Chevrolet Camaro is still an enigma, but we can make a few educated guesses based on what we know. The car will be based off the same platform as the new Pontiac G8 sedan, which comes packing a 361-horsepower V-8 of its own. Since it's smaller than the Pontiac, the Camaro will probably weigh less than the sedan's 3,995-pound curb weight. An SS version of the Camaro is rumored, which will likely use some version of the Corvette's 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8. With its own independent suspension, a similar power-to-weight ratio, a solid platform under its skin (we really liked the Pontiac G8), and a convertible version on the way, the Camaro is going to bring the heat. On the other hand, you still have to wait about a year before you can even drive one.