500 super charge horse power, 6 speed manual transmission, huge brembo disc brakes, the unmistakable Mustang shape, fortified with added muscle and aero aids. For the past two years it has been the lone pioneer in the American Muscle car Renaissance. Ford Shelby GT500 the ultimate factory Mustang an iconic blast from the past that recreates the look and brand of it's legendary namesake for the late 1960s.
But now comes the heartily awaited retro rival the Shelby's dominance the all new Dodge Challenger SRT8. The normally aspirated 6.1 liter hemi V8 booms with 425 horse power. A 5 speed automatic with auto stick is the one and only transmission, there were 6 speed manual coming for 2009, light weight forged aluminum wheel were 20 inch tires and massive wrap around massive brembo discs. The shape is unmistakably challenger, a stunning and modern interpretation of the 1917 challenger RT made famous in 1971 one's vanishing point.
At the track the two jousted fiercely the lighter more powerful Shelby proved it's edge on the drag strip posting scourging runs to 60 miles per hour in just 4.3 seconds, aided by it's larger foot print and easy launch automatic, the challenger jumped into a quick lead in a the line, but drop back in the wake of Shelby super charged exhaust.
0-60 comes up in a still amazing 4.7 seconds and the challenger oppose that number all day, just stick the shift and drive, hold revs with the brakes and go. The Shelby also top the challenger in our exclusive figure 8 test, charging around the course in just 25.9 seconds to the Challenger is 26.4. but bigger tires larger brakes and better front rear balance help the heavier challenger edge out the Mustang in our braking tests, stopping from 60 miles per hour in 117 feet. The Shelby doing it in 118.
So the tracks fights go to the Shelby, but out in the real world the game changes. GT 500 light rear axle means it skips about on rough roads and the fully independent challengers stays placed. The Shelby steering has a crisper feel, but the car feel decidedly knows heavy and the interior simply is an on par with the beautifully attire Challenger.
For a spectacular SRT seats alone you want to spend lots of time behind the Dodge's wheel and that's how this comparison test ends. The Shelby GT maintains a thrilling pony ride fast, aggressive looking and its fun to romp through the gears. The new Dodge Challenger SRT 8 is a far more button automobile, it's tight, fast, comfortable, and remarkably well balanced for such a big machine, it's a grown up's muscle car. Even more its base price $40,158 under cuts the Shelby by more than $4000 and the gap widens with options. Kudos to Dodge, at least until the all new Chevrolet Camaro arrives next year the top gun in the American retro muscle arena is the Challenger SRT8.
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