Run to the Sun — Dodge Challenger

NWAPA

Imagine driving a very cool new car for a distance between 9 to 25 miles, getting out and then into another very cool car for another 9 to 25 mile leg and then repeating the same routine through 23 cars in a two day period.

NWAPA

Welcome to the 2010 NWAPA (Northwest Automotive Press Association) Run to the Sun held recently in western Washington.? After 23 cars and more than 450 miles of smiles, here are our quick impressions of the Dodge Challenger R/T.

Currently in its third year of production, the Dodge Challenger marked the reentry of Chrysler into the ?pony car? business to compete with the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro.? We are old enough to remember the original Challenger from the 1960s and 1970s, which went fast in a straight line, but didn?t corner very well.? As a result, we are still amazed every time we drive the new generation Challenger, because it does corners quite well now.? There are three trim levels of the rear-wheel drive Challenger coupe: SE, R/T and SRT8.? The SE is powered by a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, the R/T a 372-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and the SRT8 has a 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi V-8.?? The R/T we drove had a six-speed manual transmission and ran the 0 to 60 mph test in 5.7 seconds. Pricing ranges from $23,695 for the SE up to $43,731 for the SRT8.

See the other 22 ?Run to the Sun? Cars here.

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