I always knew the new Challenger was big, but the point was really driven home when I parked it the other day in a standard, not "compact car only" street parking box. Look at the picture and you can see the beefy Challenger takes up nearly the whole space. At 197.7 inches long, it's only about four inches shorter than a Chevy Tahoe!
I was also struck with what a laid-back cruiser this thing is on the freeway -- with that tall sixth gear, at 75 mph the engine is just loafing along at 1,750 rpm. With such long strides, it's no wonder this musclebound monster earns an estimated 24 mpg on the highway.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 10,966 miles
hybris says:
07:32 AM, 09/14/09
Goes to show that some cars are made to just run and run.
jeepsrt says:
08:59 AM, 09/14/09
I parked my Grand Cherokee next to one of these and was amazed at the size of the Challenger, my Jeep did'nt look so Grand next to it.
DCuerpoJr says:
09:59 AM, 09/14/09
The sheer size of this car is the only thing preventing me from buying it. It simply won't fit in my parking space, width or length wise. Just one of the problems with living in a downtown condo. You get a parking space that's truly compact.
mopar424 says:
10:20 AM, 09/14/09
Sounds like a great road trip car. Someone should take her cross-country.
altimadude00 says:
10:37 AM, 09/14/09
Why is this such a surprise? It's based on the Chrysler 300, and last time I looked, that was a pretty big car.
DCuerpoJr says:
10:45 AM, 09/14/09
@altimadude00,
True, it shares the same platform as the Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger. But the fact that it's a coupe, yet is just about the same size as the 4 door Charger is baffling. It could have been 2 feet shorter and 1 foot narrower and looked just as menacing or just as cool.
wrinklebump says:
12:22 PM, 09/14/09
I think it's big because big cars are sweet.
clarkma5 says:
01:19 PM, 09/14/09
It's too big for me. I'd love a challenger in 80 or 90 percent scale.
yellowmiata says:
01:31 PM, 09/14/09
I agree that its a wee big. Shrinking the car would make the rims pop a bit more and allow the motor to really make that beast run (not that it's a slouch at all, but weight / inertia is always an enemy). Still, a good looking car.
wrinklebump says:
01:45 PM, 09/14/09
Speaking of, saw a girl that couldn't be a day past 17 driving a black one of these animals in SRT trim today parking at Costco.
Life is unfair sometimes.
uncanny_man says:
04:33 PM, 09/14/09
I agree with wrinklebump.
randycat99 says:
06:58 PM, 09/15/09
Just for the record, the new Challenger is actually a couple inches *short* in width than the classic Challenger. Amazing, eh?