The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

!Back to the future with the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 by Jim Robinson METROLAND MEDIA CARGUIDE MAGAZINE Turn the key and there is a slight hesitation as a big piston slides up into z position. E Next, the engine, all 6.4-litres of it, literally bursts into life then seules x down to a lumpy idle with just a hint of a rumble deep cown. For those who remember the à sound of a big-bore V8, the "392" in the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 brings memories flooding back to the days when Mustangs, Cudas, Cama- ros, 442s and, yes, Challengers ruled the roads in North America. The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 comes w a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 hp and 470 lb/ft of but with modern ride and handling that makes if possible for anyone to drive it. About the time that the first Chal- lenger came out I can remember pay- ing 51 cents a gallon (yes, per gallon) of gasoline, not the prices of today. And back then, cars were known by their displacement numbers in cu- bic inches not just brand names. For instance the 7.0-litre V8 was called a 427. For several years, Chrysler has had an in-house performance team called Street and Race Technology or SRT. When a Chrysler or Dodge has SRT in its name, you know it is brimming with modifications. Currently, Chrysler is roll- ing out a number of SRT ver- ith torque sions of its lineup like the Jeep SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 but the fore- most is the car tested here, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 also known as the "392" for its 6.4-litre V8 that pumps out 470 hp and 470 lb/ft of torque. Just to recap Dodge Challenger for. 2011, there are three basic models dif- ferentiated primarily by engine. All are front-engine, rear-drive. The Challenger SXT ($26,995) comes with a 3.6-litre V6 engine pro- ducing 305 hp and 268 lb/ft of torque with a five-speed automatic transmis- sion. The SXT Plus starts at $28,995 and adds a number of trim pieces such as leather-trimmed seats, Uconnect with Voice Command and a 265-watt Boston Acoustic sound system. The Challenger R/T ($36,395) is equipped with the ubiquitous 5.7-litre Hemi V8 now producing 379 hp and 410 lb/ft of torque through a standard five-speed Auto Stick automatic or an optional six-Speed Tremec TR-6060 manual transmission. The Challenger R/T Classic ($38,390) adds standard features like HID headlights and 20- inch wheels. Like the R/T 2011, Dodge Chal- lenger SRT8 392 is available with either the standard five-speedautomat- ic transmission with Auto Stick or an avail- able Tremec AT A GLANCE: BODY STYLE: High performance coupe DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive ENGINE: 6.4-litre, OHV V8 (470 hp, 470 lbIft) TR-6060 six-speed manual transmis- sion. The Tremec was first offered on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. The 392 comes with an improved heavy-duty clutch that provides easier shift engagement. Also, the force need- ed to work the clutch pedal doesn't re- quire legs of steel to make it work. Now it may sound odd to talk about "green" and a 6.4-litre V8 at the same time, but Chrysler's Fuel Saver technology is included in automatic transmission equipped V8 models. It allows the engine to operate economi- cally on four cylinders or use all eight cylinders when needed. Fuel consumption is listed at 15.1/8.8Ul00 km (19/42 mpg) for the manual and 15.6/8.8Ul00 km (18/31 mpg) city/highway with the automatic. These fuel numbers rep- resent a four-mpg highway improve- • see BEST on page A51 FUEL ECONOMY: Manual, 15.1/8.8U100 km (19142 mpg) city/highway; Automatc, 15.6/8.8UL100 km (18131 mpg) city/highway PRICE: SRT8 392, $47,995; 392 Inaugural Edition, $49,990. WEBSITE: www.dodge.ca I209-5.79 iMi & ii årI.m mi201 C ALA T AVV AG 1 2010 AVEO-5 2011 CHEVY CRUZE LS s334'579 2011 CHEVY CRUZE L 1~ q245 19 2229l'-1.9'a ý$535(-5.79 - -mm -àå j 279"1.9 js269ý 5.7977 L$269'ý5.79 es 1$3 35 5.79 65 4.99 316 7 3.9 m $1830.