Spy Photos: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8

I think they should have upgraded the interior plastics at least. This appears to be a
pretty cheap makeover. Further why is there no 6 speed in the base V6 Challenger?
Last all Challengers should get a suspension upgrade and should be lowered about 1 inch.
Oh well maybe for 2012.

The steering wheel is a little better but i still can't get over the shifter. Its ugly and it doesn't look comfy at all.

@pngrant54

What's wrong with the interior plastics? Last time I was in a Challenger all the surfaces were soft to the touch and felt and looked high quality.

The interior does look unimpressive in my opinion also. Is that the same 6.5 inch NAV screen?

Too blocky for my taste. Somehow the above picture looks more cramped than the below one.

*top picture, bottom picture
My gosh, how my grammar has degraded at University.

"Spy" photogs. LOL... How do spy photographers get perfectly shot and lit open door pictures?

Why is the shift boot so GIGANTIC. It makes me sick.

saynotogm: that's because you've never driven or sat in one.

We sell 10 Challengers to every 1 Camaro b/c it's a much richer, nicer riding car. The interior is light years ahead of the Camaro and Mustang's rental car plastic.

What a disaster.

colorado1974 says:

"We sell 10 Challengers to every 1 Camaro b/c it's a much richer, nicer riding car. The interior is light years ahead of the Camaro and Mustang's rental car plastic."

Which version Challenger are you referring to? That V6 Challenger is anemic in EVERY way!

not much different.... I thought they weren't using the ram head logo on the dodges any more and on the new interior made it bigger?!? I'm totally confused at their marketing strategy these days...

@colorado1974:

Yeah rite, the interior in the 2011 Mustang is far better than the Comaro or Challenger in terms of materials, build quality, finish, and design.

Yeah unless they get rid of the cheap plastics then it's pretty much a waste.

Wow... People!!! Dont you see? This apart of the plan for the Dodge Challenger SRT-10!!! That Same Frown is on the SRT-10!!! Better Aerodynamics, Suspension Tweaks, and a Smaller Steering wheel means that Bigger internals are on the way.

I'm sorry, but i have to have a Big Steering wheel (Such as a 4-spoke) in a Muscle car or po

Back on topic.
I Belive since they Shaved the Ramhead they will SHARE The Dodge Challenger's Platform. a 2 Door Charger? Hasant been Spoken of, but often Belived. I Will be back once i think some more...

Wow newcar71, I'm really excited and on the edge of my seat for your insights.

Chrysler automatics are off my list, and if the 2011 V6 Challenger doesn't get the new 3.6 with a manual transmission, then I am not interested.

Actually, most automatics are off my list, but Chrysler's are because of their bad reliability record.

That's odd - I didn't think SRT8's came with a manual transmission option. I thought that might be new for '11.... Apparently the 2010 model already does? Hmm.

@pontneuf2503 manual's were available in R/T and SRT since the first update

Its a dark interior, the plastics are soft touch. Don't confuse the two.

The shifter is a 'pistol grip' style, it is rather comfortable once you get used to it.

I can't wait to see the numbers, the new 6.4L should be quite a beast.

Looks like they're keeping the silly foot e-brake. Meh.

@ colorado1974:

10:1? Really? Just a quick Google shows Camaro outselling the Challenger 3:1. I don't think the Challenger has ever outsold the Camaro.

@ pontneuf2503:

2008 SRT8 was only available with an auto. 2009+ have 6 speeds available.

The Challenger interior is actually quite nice, albeit a little plain. Anyone who has actually sat in one would not complain about the interior materials.

I think the gauge cluster looks like it was place into the dash as an afterthought. The surrounding area makes it look like it just wasn't designed by the same people, as a whole. More like Chrysler told the instrument cluster maker "You have a space Ain x Bin. Make an instrument cluster to fit"

Other than that, it seems to look OK.

anybody who whines about the quality of materials is either a hater or hasn't been in a challenger. The one I just got out of 2 minutes ago, i.e. mine, has a fine interior in terms of quality of materials, especially in comparison to similar vehicles.

I agree with togonation. The Challenger interior is the best of the 3 pony cars. But I really like the Genesis Coupe interior. The inside of the GC seems to match the swoopy outside. (I also think the GC has the best looking exterior, also.)

Incidentally, the only real pony car is a Mustang, since it is named after a horse. Since the Mustang was the first "pony car", when the Firebird, Camaro, Barracuda, Challenger, and Javelin came out, and they were all in the same class, the pony apellation was applied to them all.

@newcar71

What point were you trying to make?

I think the cluster is pretty awesome, looks like a set of brass knuckles. I would rather stare at that than Wall-E's face in the Camaro

I think that the materials and the function of this interior are fine. But there is absolutely no design work being done here at all. It's not even retro. It's like a Vulcan designed it. I hate to say it because I'm rooting for Chrysler and the exterior of this car is so sharp I want for it to continue to sell and last a few generations, but the new Mustang interior just destroys it. The Camaro I only looked at once - it needs a new center stack.

I like the new steering wheel. Finally.
And finally revised gauges.

Wow Dodge, loving that interior! The steering wheel looks much more premium than the last. The new gauge cluster seems much better too, but I can't really see to formally judge. Forget all the haters Dodge, this model is getting better in every aspect. The only thing you need to fix is shaving a few pounds later on.

p.s. Please tell me you can order an SRT8 without those hood stripes like this prototype. I really want a (near) top model Challenger that'll look just like Vanishing Point's star car.

After looking at the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima coupes, I'll take a Challenger anyday of the week over those two bland-mobiles.

The steering wheel is VASTLY BETTER in my opinion. I think the joystick shifter is cool too. Not apparent at first but the subtle refinement around the gagues, and centre console make it better looking imo. Have never been inside one before so can't comment on the use of any soft-touch materials..

They need to put that Ram's head back in the truck they stole it from. It doesn't belong in a Challenger.

nice.. steering wheel head and shoulders better than the current interior imo.. Joystick shifter is pretty cool too..

That's not the final factory steering wheel. It's there for pre-production test purposes.

That steering wheel is hideous & needs to go back in the truck it came from. Who thought putting a huge ramshead in a Challenger would be a good idea? Maybe next they'll try the pickup bedside storage thing in the 1/4 panels. Nice that they're bumping up the power tho'.

I like the new steering wheel. It looks more refined. But why in hell won't they put in a hand brake? Foot brake and manual don't go together mainly because we don't have three arms and three legs. Hopefully they will make it weigh less than 4000 lbs.

I'm digging that dildo shifter wink wink

Looks like a truck.

Now... There maybe no 2-door charger... But They may be Ready to Ship this Beast Overseas. The BIG V10 Prototypes that were Spotted a While Back Did have the ram head on it Therefore They may have this car in Racing. (Not Detroit racing... or Drag racing. Professional racing, Such as the Nurburgring. Although that may be an exaggeration.) And without the Ramhead... the car Seems race ready. And well... once they see how the 6.4 Performs, (I Believe Dodge themselves hasn't even Seen how The Production 392 Performs) They will introduce the V10 For overseas Usage and Keep the V8 where it Belongs Whilst the Overseas Dodge Challenger will Be named something else. Dodge Daytona maybe...

I Will Further make Judgement once More pictures has emerge.

If you Wish to argue, or have something to say about my Predictions... E-Mail me at
DetonatorYellow@gmail.com
or
challengerrt@rocketmail.com

@ ed124c
Keep your "swoopy" looking car. You'd be more comfortable at a fashion show than a car show.

"Incidentally, the only real pony car is a Mustang, since it is named after a horse."

Yes, the term was coined for the class the Mustang started, but to say it's the only pony car because of it's name shows you don't know the actual meaning.

@ cjeclipse98
"But why in hell won't they put in a hand brake? Foot brake and manual don't go together mainly because we don't have three arms and three legs."

You do know that the parking brake is only used for parking right? I'm glad it's a foot pedal. It cleans up the looks of the center console, and I never use it anyway, as I'm sure most people don't.

I don't actually think that this is the full refreshed interior.....looks to me like they're out testing either a new transmission gearing or engine tuning (judging from the equipment and wires). My guess is that the steering wheel is just thrown on their from the parts bin (possibly from a new charger or grand cherokee?) as they probably didn't have one of the old ones lying around.

Something tells me that we'll see more changes for this interior in the coming months.

I think leviathan81x is right, these interiors look identical except for the steering wheel and slightly different gauge cluster overlays. Much ado about nothing (or at least some ado about very little).

Why is everyone so concerned about the interior? Its the boring exterior that needs a makeover.

ive worked at a Dodge/Chrysler dealer before and have sat inside a Challenger..All the new interior needs in to break up the all black scheme..Add a little light gray or some other color to spice it up. Genuine aluminum trim would be nice, sprinkled throughout