ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey — The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE is the new, affordable addition to the 2009 Dodge Challenger lineup. Following the official introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, we conducted our own independent testing of the entry-level coupe with its 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

The business case for the Dodge Challenger depends on volume sales, not just specialty cars like the 425-hp SRT8 model, and Chrysler believes the Challenger SE can become a mainstream coupe, a two-door alternative to the Dodge Charger and sedans.

This is the very first chance to test the performance of Chrysler's new muscle car with the V6 engine. The data includes 0-60-mph acceleration, quarter-mile performance, braking distance and slalom speed, as well as insight from IL's test driver.

Chrysler based its introduction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, R/T and SE at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a traditional stop for the NHRA's professional drag-racing championship. Thanks to our portable Racelogic VBOX III testing gear, we were able to use the track for performance testing, although the lack of a suitable plot of pavement precluded skid pad evaluation.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE with its 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission accelerated to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds (7.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout), then reached the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 88.3 mph.



 

 

 

 



Full performance data is listed below:

Acceleration:
0-30 mph 3.0 seconds
0-45 mph 5.1 seconds
0-60 mph 8.1 seconds
0-75 mph 12.1 seconds
1/4-mile 16.1 seconds at 88.3 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 7.8 seconds

Braking:
30-0 mph 29 feet
60-0 mph 129 feet


Slalom (600 feet) 59.5 mph

Test Driver Comments
The SE favors being held against the brakes until revs reach about 2,000 rpm. Some chirp off the line with ESP turned off which just means a lenient version of ESP. Engine revs all the way to the 6,500-rpm indicated redline and upshifts are moderately fast, but smooth. Why no AutoStick in this sporty coupe? Also seems like a five-speed automatic would make better use of the V6 engine. First braking effort from 60 mph was the shortest at 129 feet and grew slightly longer from there to a 134-foot max. Although the pedal showed no signs of spongy fade, the odor from hot brakes suggested otherwise. In the slalom the front end gives up long before the rear does. Only moderate roll stiffness, but decent impact-reducing damping. In the end, the limits are defined by the ESP.