Dodge Challenger

Generations: what changed and which one to shop

The catalogue lists 5 generations. Treat restyles as separate shopping lists.

The catalogue lists 5 generations. Treat restyles as separate shopping lists.

1 generation (1969-01-01 – 1974-12-31), Cabrio. Four versions, all Gasoline, RWD, Carburetor, Independent, torsion front, Drum / Drum. The buy here is a convertible, not a Coupe. Peak is `7.0 MT`: 431 hp / 317 kW at 5000 rpm, 664 Nm at 4000 rpm, 6974 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, Manual 4, 5.4 s to 100 km/h, 215 km/h, 25 / 14 / 18 L/100 km city / highway / combined, kerb 1655 kg, clearance 142 mm. `7.0 AT` is the same 431 hp with Automatic 3, 6.1 s (+0.7 s), 231 km/h (+16 km/h), kerb 1610 kg (−45 kg), consumption not measured. Two `6.3 V8 AT` rows share 6276 cm³, Automatic 4, 54 L tank, compression 8.5, fuel 92: 300 hp at 4800 rpm versus 275 hp at 4400 rpm (−25 hp). Torque, 0–100, top speed, consumption and kerb for both `6.3 V8 AT` are not measured.

2 generation (1977-01-01 – 1983-12-31), Coupe. Four versions, 4 cylinders, Inline, Carburetor, RWD, clearance 160 mm (the highest in the catalogue, +18 mm vs 1 generation 142 mm, +47 mm vs restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 820 hp at 113 mm). `1.6 MT` / `1.6 AT`: 110 hp / 81 kW, 142 Nm, 1597 cm³, Manual 5 vs Automatic 3. `2.6 MT` / `2.6 AT`: 114 hp / 84 kW (+4 hp), 198 Nm (+56 Nm), 2555 cm³. 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, kerb, fuel grade, valves, engine position, rear suspension and rear brakes are not measured on all four. Buy 2 generation only if you want this Coupe era; the numbers do not support a performance ranking against later V-shaped 8-cylinder rows.

3 generation (2008-02-01 – 2010-12-31), Coupe. Ten versions, tank 75 L, clearance 140 mm, Front, longitudinal, Independent, spring / Independent, spring. Base: `3.5 MT` and `3.5 AT` at 254 hp / 187 kW, 339 Nm, 3518 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92. Only `3.5 AT` has a measured 0–100: 7.5 s; `3.5 MT` 0–100 is not measured. `3.6 AT` and `3.6 MT` step to 305 hp / 235 kW, 363 Nm, 3604 cm³, Direct injection (direct), 6.8 s / 6.7 s, 220 km/h, kerb 1732 kg. Versus `3.5 AT`, `3.6 AT` adds 51 hp and is 0.7 s quicker, on 86 cm³ more. `5.7 AT`: 375 hp / 290 kW, 540 Nm, 6.1 s, 250 km/h, 1833 kg. `5.7 MT`: 375 hp / 276 kW, 410 Nm (−130 Nm vs the AT of the same name), 5.4 s; kerb not measured. `6.1 MT` / `6.1 AT`: 425 hp / 310 kW, 570 Nm, 6059 cm³, 5.2 s / 5.4 s, 270 km/h, 1878 kg. `6.4 MT` / `6.4 AT`: 470 hp / 346 kW, 637 Nm, 6409 cm³; only `6.4 AT` has 0–100 at 4.7 s; both have kerb not measured. If you buy this generation, `6.4 AT` is the fastest measured row; `3.6 MT` is the quickest 6-cylinder (6.7 s vs 6.8 s `3.6 AT` vs 7.5 s `3.5 AT`).

3 generation, restyling (2010-01-01 – 2014-12-31), Coupe. Eight versions, tank 75 L, fuel 92. The 3.5-litre rows disappear. `3.6 MT` / `3.6 AT`: 305 hp / 224 kW (kW is 11 kW below the 235 kW of the pre-restyle 305 hp `3.6` rows), 363 Nm, 3564 cm³ (−40 cm³ vs 3604), 6.5 s / 7.2 s, kerb 1739 kg, clearance 132 mm. `5.7 MT` / `5.7 AT`: 381 hp / 280 kW (+6 hp vs 375), 555 Nm; `5.7 MT` 5.4 s; `5.7 AT` 0–100 not measured. `6.1 AT` / `6.1 MT` stay 425 hp, 5.4 s / 5.2 s, 270 km/h. `6.4 MT` / `6.4 AT`: 477 hp / 351 kW (+7 hp vs 470), 637 Nm, 6417 cm³, 4.4 s / 4.7 s. Buy this restyle for the extra 7 hp on `6.4` and 6 hp on `5.7`, and for `3.6 MT` at 6.5 s — 0.2 s quicker than the pre-restyle `3.6 MT`. Top speed is measured only on the two `6.1` rows (270 km/h). Consumption is not measured on all eight.

3 generation, restyling 2 (from 2014-01-01, no end date), Coupe. Twelve versions in the data (the generation header states 15). Tank 72 L (−3 L). Fuel 95. This is the only generation with Turbo, AWD, 8-speed Automatic, and a measured combined consumption set. If you want a current-catalogue Challenger, shop here first.

Engines and specs

Specific output (hp per litre, displacement/1000): restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 820 hp = 133.0 hp/L; `6.2` 717 hp = 116.3 hp/L; `3.6 AT` 309 hp = 85.7 hp/L; `6.4` 492 hp on 6417 cm³ = 76.7 hp/L; `5.7` 380 hp = 67.2 hp/L. 1 generation `7.0 MT` 431 hp = 61.8 hp/L. 2 generation `1.6 MT` 110 hp = 68.9 hp/L — more hp/L than the 5.7-litre 8-cylinder rows, on 110 hp total.

Performance and economy

Fastest measured 0–100 km/h in the catalogue is restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 820 hp at 2.4 s. Next: same generation `6.2 AT` 717 hp 3.8 s, `6.2 MT` 717 hp 4.0 s, then both `6.4 MT` 492 hp rows 4.4 s, both `6.4 AT` 492 hp rows 4.6 s. Restyling `6.4 MT` 477 hp matches 4.4 s; restyling and 3 generation `6.4 AT` are 4.7 s. 1 generation `7.0 MT` is 5.4 s at 431 hp — equal to restyling 2 `5.7 AT` 380 hp (5.4 s) and 3 generation `5.7 MT` 375 hp (5.4 s), on 1655 kg versus 1852 kg where kerb is measured.

Highest measured top speed: restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 717 hp 317 km/h, `6.2 MT` 717 hp 313 km/h. Then `6.4 MT` 6417 cm³ 295 km/h, `6.4 AT` 6417 cm³ 292 km/h, `6.4 MT` 6410 cm³ 291 km/h, `6.4 AT` 6410 cm³ 286 km/h. `6.2 AT` 820 hp top speed is not measured. 1 generation `7.0 AT` is 231 km/h; `7.0 MT` is 215 km/h despite being 0.7 s quicker to 100 km/h.

Consumption is measured only in restyling 2 (plus 1 generation `7.0 MT`). Lowest combined: `3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD 10.2 L/100 km (12.4 city / 7.8 highway). `3.6 AT` 305 hp AWD combined 10.8; `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD 11.2 (13.1 / 8.7). `6.4 AT` both 492 hp rows: 13.1 (15.7 / 9.4). `6.4 MT` both 492 hp rows: 13.8 (16.8 / 10.2) — Automatic saves 0.7 L/100 km combined on the same 492 hp. `6.2` 717 hp both: 14.7 combined; highway 11.2 MT vs 10.7 AT. `6.2 AT` 820 hp consumption is not measured. `5.7` restyling 2 consumption is not measured. `7.0 MT` combined 18 L/100 km. CO2 is not measured on every version. Eco class Euro 5 appears on selected rows (restyling 2 `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD; several restyling and 3 generation rows); others: not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb range where measured: 1610 kg (`7.0 AT`, 1 generation) to 1943 kg (`6.2 AT` 820 hp). Lightest 3-generation Coupe: `3.5 AT` 1688 kg. Lightest restyling 2: `3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD 1739 kg. AWD on the 309 hp `3.6 AT` adds 123 kg (1862 vs 1739). `6.2 AT` 820 hp is 56 kg heavier than the 717 hp `6.2 AT` / `6.2 MT` (1943 vs 1887).

kg per hp (kerb / hp), where both exist: `6.2 AT` 820 hp 2.37 kg/hp; `6.2` 717 hp 2.63; `6.4 MT` 6410 cm³ 3.84; `6.4 MT` 6417 cm³ 3.90; `5.7` 380 hp 4.87; `3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD 5.63; `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD 6.03. 1 generation `7.0 AT` 3.74 kg/hp — lighter per hp than any restyling 2 `6.4`.

Gross mass 2472 kg on several restyling 2 RWD rows (`3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD, both 5.7, `6.2` 717 hp, `6.4 MT` 6410, `6.4 AT` 6410). 3 generation `3.6` gross 2180 kg; `5.7` 2280 kg; `6.1` 2265 kg. Many rows including `6.2 AT` 820 hp: gross not measured.

Clearance: 2 generation 160 mm; 1 generation 142 mm; 3 generation 140 mm; restyling `3.6` 132 mm, `5.7` 127 mm, `6.4` 122 mm, `6.1` 140 mm; restyling 2 `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD 131 mm, `3.6` RWD 309 hp 130 mm, `3.6 AT` 305 hp AWD 130 mm, 5.7 and 6.4 and `6.2` 717 hp 122 mm, `6.2 AT` 820 hp 113 mm (lowest).

Tank: 1 generation `6.3 V8 AT` 54 L; restyling 2 72 L; 3 generation and restyling 75 L; 2 generation and `7.0` tank not measured. Wheels listed only on restyling 2 `6.4 MT` 6417 cm³ and `6.4 AT` 6417 cm³: 235/55 R18 and 245/45 R20; all other versions: not measured. Front brakes: Drum on 1 generation, Disc on 2 generation, Ventilated disc on 3 generation family. Rear brakes: Drum (1 generation), not measured (2 generation), Disc or Disc ventilated (3 generation family — labels as in data). Rear suspension: not measured on 1 and 2 generation; Independent, spring from 3 generation on.

Which version to choose

If you need one current Coupe and a measured economy figure: restyling 2 `3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD. It is the lightest restyling 2 row with kerb (1739 kg), the lowest combined use (10.2 L/100 km), 6.6 s to 100 km/h, 251 km/h, 8-speed Automatic, RWD, 72 L tank, 130 mm clearance. Versus the same generation `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD, you give up AWD and Euro 5 (AWD has Euro 5; RWD eco class not measured) and gain 0.6 s to 100 km/h, 1.0 L/100 km less combined, 123 kg less, and a measured 251 km/h (AWD top speed not measured). Versus `3.6 AT` 305 hp AWD, the 309 hp RWD is 4 hp up; 305 hp AWD 0–100, top speed, city/highway and kerb are not measured, combined 10.8 L/100 km.

If you want AWD: only restyling 2 `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD and `3.6 AT` 305 hp AWD. Prefer 309 hp AWD where kerb (1862 kg), 7.2 s, 13.1 / 8.7 / 11.2 L/100 km, compression 10.2, bore × stroke 96 × 83, boost No and Euro 5 are filled in. The 305 hp AWD row is 4 hp and 3 kW lower; treat it as the thinner-spec AWD, not a different engine family (same 3604 cm³, 363 Nm, 8-speed Automatic).

If you want a 6-speed Manual without Turbo: restyling 2 `6.4 MT` 492 hp. Two rows share the name: 6410 cm³, 1887 kg, 4.4 s, 291 km/h, wheels not measured; 6417 cm³, 1920 kg (+33 kg), 4.4 s, 295 km/h (+4 km/h), wheels 235/55 R18 and 245/45 R20, power peak 6000 rpm vs 6100 rpm on 6410. Same 13.8 L/100 km combined. The 6417 cm³ `6.4 AT` is 0.2 s slower (4.6 s), 3 km/h down (292 vs 295), 0.7 L/100 km better combined, +3 kg vs that MT. Restyling `6.4 MT` 477 hp matches 4.4 s with 15 hp less; consumption not measured. 3 generation `6.4 MT` 470 hp has 0–100 and kerb not measured.

If you want Automatic and a 8-cylinder without Turbo: restyling 2 `6.4 AT` 492 hp (6417 cm³ if you want listed wheels and 292 km/h; 6410 cm³ if you want 1887 kg, 286 km/h, gross 2472 kg). Versus `5.7 AT` 380 hp: +112 hp, +89 Nm, −0.8 s (4.6 vs 5.4), +24 km/h vs 268 km/h on the 6417 AT, on 71 kg extra vs 1852 kg. `5.7` consumption not measured, so you cannot close the running-cost gap with a catalogue figure.

If the point is the smallest 0–100 number: restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 820 hp — 2.4 s, 972 Nm, Turbo, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.5, 1943 kg, 113 mm clearance. It is 103 hp and 91 Nm above the 717 hp `6.2 AT`, 1.4 s quicker, 56 kg heavier, 9 mm lower. Top speed, consumption, wheels, gross, CO2, eco class: not measured. Versus `6.4 AT` 492 hp 6417 cm³: +328 hp, +328 Nm, −2.2 s, +20 kg. Power density 133.0 vs 76.7 hp/L.

If you want Turbo with measured top speed and consumption: restyling 2 `6.2 AT` 717 hp (3.8 s, 317 km/h, 14.7 combined, 1887 kg) over `6.2 MT` 717 hp (4.0 s, 313 km/h, same 14.7 combined, highway 11.2 vs 10.7). Automatic is 0.2 s and 4 km/h better here; on the 492 hp `6.4`, Manual is 0.2 s and 3 km/h better. The extra 328 hp to the 820 hp `6.2 AT` is not accompanied by economy or vmax in this dataset.

If you buy 3 generation (2008–2010): skip `3.5` unless 254 hp is enough (`3.5 AT` 7.5 s, 1688 kg). `3.6 MT` 305 hp / 235 kW is the 6-cylinder pick (6.7 s, 220 km/h, 1732 kg). `6.1 MT` 425 hp is the measured high-speed pick with 5.2 s and 270 km/h. `6.4 AT` 470 hp is the fastest measured 0–100 (4.7 s) in this generation; `6.4 MT` 0–100 not measured. Note `5.7 MT` 375 hp has 410 Nm vs 540 Nm on `5.7 AT` 375 hp — same hp name, 130 Nm gap.

If you buy 3 generation, restyling (2010–2014): `3.6 MT` 305 hp at 6.5 s is the cheapest-feeling 6-cylinder on the clock (no consumption). `6.4 MT` 477 hp at 4.4 s is the restyle’s fastest measured sprint, 7 hp above 3 generation `6.4`. `6.1` still uniquely posts 270 km/h. `5.7 AT` 381 hp 0–100 not measured; use `5.7 MT` 5.4 s if you need a figure. Displacement on `3.6` is 3564 cm³ here, not 3604.

If you buy 1 generation Cabrio: `7.0 MT` for 5.4 s, 18 L/100 km combined and 1655 kg; `7.0 AT` if 231 km/h and 1610 kg matter more than the extra 0.7 s. Distinguish the two `6.3 V8 AT` by 300 hp vs 275 hp. Do not expect Coupe body or Ventilated disc.

If you buy 2 generation Coupe: distinguish `1.6` 110 hp from `2.6` 114 hp (+4 hp, +56 Nm, +958 cm³). Manual 5 versus Automatic 3 is the other split. Performance and mass are not measured, so the catalogue cannot rank these against later Challenger rows on 0–100 or kg/hp.

Reliability / problems (what the numbers flag, not a workshop log): restyling 2 is the only generation with Turbo (`6.2` 717 and 820 hp) and AWD (`3.6 AT` 305 and 309 hp). Same names hide different kW, displacement, drive and rpm: `3.6 AT` appears as 309 hp RWD, 309 hp AWD and 305 hp AWD in restyling 2, as 305 hp / 224 kW on 3564 cm³ in restyling, and as 305 hp / 235 kW on 3604 cm³ in 3 generation. Two `6.4 MT` and two `6.4 AT` at 492 hp differ by 6410 vs 6417 cm³, kerb, vmax and whether wheels are listed. `5.7 MT` 375 hp in 3 generation is the only 8-cylinder row with 410 Nm instead of 540–555 Nm. Fuel grade moves 92 → 95 in restyling 2. Tank 75 → 72 L. Clearance falls from 140 mm (3 generation) to 113 mm (`6.2 AT` 820 hp). Rear-brake labels mix Disc and Disc ventilated; 1 generation is Drum / Drum. Where a cell is empty in the source, this article says not measured — it is not a claim that the car lacks the part.

No prices are in the data. “What the extra money buys” here means what the extra horsepower, kilograms and seconds buy: 328 hp and 2.2 s from `6.4 AT` 492 hp to `6.2 AT` 820 hp; 112 hp and 0.8 s from `5.7 AT` 380 hp to that `6.4 AT`; AWD and 123 kg from `3.6 AT` 309 hp RWD to `3.6 AT` 309 hp AWD; 51 hp and 0.7 s from 3 generation `3.5 AT` 254 hp to `3.6 AT` 305 hp. Pick the generation first (Cabrio 1969–1974, Inline-4 Coupe 1977–1983, or the 2008-on 6- and 8-cylinder Coupe), then the row name exactly as in the table.