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View Full Version : Reader Spy: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Interior


sunrunner_pei
01-27-2008, 01:30 PM
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chicago-auto-show/), Spy Photos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/), Coupes (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Sports/GTs (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Chrysler (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chrysler/), Dodge (http://www.autoblog.com/category/dodge/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/challenger_int_drivers02lo.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/608750/)
Click image for a gallery of Challenger spy photos

As we get closer to the official unveiling of the Dodge Challenger, tips continue to arrive in our inbox from reader who've eyeballed the car themselves. One such reader is Darryll, who encountered a still-camouflaged Challenger R/T 6-speed as it took a breather from winter testing. The open hood left the 5.7L HEMI plainly visible (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/608748/), and the interior was not shrouded, allowing Darryll to snap off a couple of photos of the instrument panel from outside the driver's side window. Combine this view with the shots published last week (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/608747/) to get a good ballpark estimate of what to expect.

As we saw before, the car uses a pistol-grip shifter for the manual gearbox and an uncomplicated three-dial HVAC control setup. As with the Challenger concept car (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/dodge-challenger-concept-1/228310/), the instrument cluster is trimmed out in the same metallic finish as the center console area, and the gauges themselves appear to be the same white-faced ones used in the Charger (http://www.dodge.com/shared/2008/charger/gallery/main/int_charger_phtgal_13.jpg). The steering wheel is also the same unit found in the Charger. The instrument binnacle, based on the photo here, appears to take the same trapezoidal shape previewed in the Challenger concept. The wait to see the real thing will be over soon, but the spy photos indicate that Chrysler has taken a non-glitzy, straightforward interior design approach here, using existing parts-bin materials where it can instead of creating a unique-to-the-vehicle environment as Ford did with the Mustang and GM is with the Camaro. Thanks to Darryll for the new photos!

Gallery: Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/ab_challengerspy_frontrt_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/591036/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/challenger.und.fec.kgp.ed_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/591024/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/challenger.und.fp.kgp.ed_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/591023/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/challenger.und.pr.kgp.ed_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/591022/)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/challenger.und.re.kgp.ed_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-challenger-srt8/591025/)

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norbit2
01-27-2008, 02:44 PM
The concept gauge cluster was awesome, that was the best part of the interior. What a shame.

Nighthawk243
01-27-2008, 04:16 PM
Ew... looks like... 1980s...

RazorDX
01-27-2008, 04:21 PM
I can dig it. I can't complain about the gauges; I'd prefer older-style (looking) gauges over digital (looking) stuff.

TA^Guy
01-27-2008, 05:18 PM
Ew... looks like... 1980s...
YEah btut looks decades better than the Camaro concept dash.

TA^Guy
01-27-2008, 05:22 PM
I can dig it. I can't complain about the gauges; I'd prefer older-style (looking) gauges over digital (looking) stuff.
Analog > Digital

The only time I prefer a digital gauge over analog is on my motorcycle for my speedo only. Going into a corner at 130mph you want to glance down quickly and get all the info you need. And going tripple digits with your helmet fighting the wind it tends to blury vision a little so the digital is easier to read. However I much prefer a sweeping needle to monitor things like RPMs, and other vital information. Easier to evaluate what is happening in real time when you see the needle's speed or where it's pointing.