2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Makes Canadian Debut in Toronto

Friday, Feb 29 2008, 02:00

Chrysler Canada, the number two seller of automobiles in Canada, used The 2008 Canadian International Automobile Show, February 15-24, as a stage to show off for the first time together three of its' most important new vehicles coming to market in 2008. Chrysler Canada President and CEO Reid Bigland and Chrysler LLC Vice President Design Ralph Gilles introduced for the first time together in Canada the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 modern muscle car, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and the 2009 Dodge Journey fuel efficient crossover. The 2009 Dodge Journey hit the Canadian market in February followed by the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 this summer and the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 goes on sale this fall.

According to Mark Bosanac, Vice President Marketing, Chrysler Canada, "2008 will be a great year for Chrysler Canada in terms of exciting new products that are well-aligned with the Canadian market. We are using the Toronto show to introduce together for the first time in Canada three of the critically important new models that will be arriving in dealer showrooms this year. The Challenger is one of the most anticipated new models to hit the market in years and the Dodge Ram and Dodge Journey are exactly the kind of vehicles Canadian consumers are demanding today."

For 2007, Chrysler had a perfect 12 for 12 months of sales growth and gained more incremental new customers than any other carmaker. Powering the positive sales results in 2007 were the market's 3rd best selling vehicle, Dodge Grand Caravan and the 5th best selling vehicle, Dodge Ram, and the entire Jeep brand lineup. Chrysler Canada sold 232,859 vehicles in 2007 through 460 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers.

In 2008, Canadian automotive enthusiasts will get their chance to buy the built in Canada Dodge Challenger SRT8. The modern muscle car will be powered by 6.1-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine mated to a five speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. 2008 Challenger SRT8 models will be available in Black and HEMI Orange. All will feature dual "carbon-fiber" hood stripes, harkening back to the original Dodge Challenger.

"The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 offers pure American pony-car muscle," said James Press, Vice Chairman & President - Chrysler LLC. "With styling that stays true to Challenger's original heritage, an abundance of modern amenities and cutting-edge technology, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will deliver the SRT credo of benchmark performance at a tremendous value.

"The Challenger SRT8 is only the beginning of the story, as we'll soon follow with a complete lineup of Challenger models that will offer a wide array of features and deliver outstanding value for our customers," Press added.

The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 showcases the renowned, five key aspects of every SRT vehicle: exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; world-class ride and handling characteristics across a broad range; benchmark braking; and standout powertrain. The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will unquestionably deliver in all five areas.

Interior 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 highlights include race-inspired leather seats with added bolstering and an exclusive orange accent stripe, exclusive stitched accents on the seats and steering wheel, four-bomb gauges with tachometer and speedometer in the centre, and an SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display (RCD) with Performances Pages that provide drivers instant feedback on 0-60 mph time, 60-0 mph braking, g-forces and 1/4-mile time.

The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will be built at the Chrysler Canada Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, on the same assembly line with the Dodge Charger, Charger SRT8, Magnum, Magnum SRT8, Chrysler 300 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 vehicles.