2011 Ford Mustang wins first comparison test with Camaro, Challenger

The pony car wars have been fully rejuvenated, despite many obstacles such as high gas prices and a declining economy. The Mustang has been going strong for many years, while the Camaro and Challenger are reborn. Both have surpassed the Mustang in power and straight numbers.

When we found out that Ford was coming back strong for 2011 with the rejuvenated 5.0L moniker backed up by a serious boost in power, up to 412 from a paltry 315. Naturally, we expected there to be many comparison tests to follow.

The first comes to us thanks to Motor Trend. And as expected, the new Mustang claimed victory against a Camaro SS and Challenger SRT-8. Not surprisingly, thanks to it's better power to weight ratio. But the Mustang also claimed victory in quality and fit and finish. Head on over to MT to see the full comparo.

GM confirms Camaro Z28, meanwhile the Camaro outsells Mustang in June

It was feared that the powerhouse Z28 would die a premature death thanks in large part to the ailing economy, GM's bankruptcy, and rising oil prices. But the well connected folks at Camaro5, the Z28 will appear after the Camaro convertible, which is expected in the spring of 2011.

The Z will reportedly offer more power (duh), a hood similar to the Bumblebee edition, a unique grill, and other assorted bits and pieces that make it unique.

In other news, the long drought of the Camaro has obviously gotten fans of the car excited as their beloved pony car has taken out the Mustang in sales for the month of June. GM says it sold a total of 9,320 Camaros, while Ford sold 7,632 Mustangs.

For those who are curious, Dodge sold a meager 1,369 Challengers.

First official look at the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro at the Detroit Auto Show

It certainly seems like a long time ago when Chevrolet first introduced it's reborn Camaro to the world, and just now are we seeing an official production version at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In reality, it's been only three years since the car was just a concept, a relatively short time for a car to reach production.

Anyone who may have been afraid that Chevrolet would change a lot about the design should rest easy. And despite the big hoopla over green cars at the Detroit Auto Show, the Camaro got it's fair share of attention.

Initial reports are that the car is a beauty to behold in person, but that the interior leaves a little to be desired. It has been said that the feel and quality of materials is poor, coming up short when compared to the 2010 Ford Mustang.

Stay tuned for what is sure to be an interesting three way pony car battle, not to mention numerous comparison tests between the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger.

First Ford Mustang Cobra Jet comes off the assembly line

The name "Cobra Jet" conjures up a lot of thoughts, including the latest edition to the pony car family. The Mustang FR500CJ is a rebirth of the factory drag racer and was unveiled at the last SEMA show. And it's already rolling off the assembly line and in production.

Featuring a modified 5.4-liter V8 with cold air induction, the Cobra Jet features stainless competition headers, upgraded rear axle and driveshaft, drag-optimized adjustable suspension, and unique wheels wrapped in slicks. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or three-speed automatic, and the interior is augmented by racing buckets and short-throw shifter (on the manual version).

The vehicles, which receive unique VINs since they aren't street legal, are delivered in body-on-white, with louvered rear window panels. The package presents an affordable and straightforward racing platform for those seeking domination of the quarter-mile.

Ten of the fastest Mustangs ever produced

The 2010 Ford Mustang has been tested with a 5.3 second 0-60 time and a 13.9 second quarter mile at 101.7 mph. Solid numbers indeed, but how does it stack up with other production Mustangs?

Certainly there will be more powerful iterations of the car, as Ford has already strongly hinted that it will have an announcement next month which we presume will be about the next Shelby GT500. This is great news, as the next Chevrolet Camaro seems poised to easily outrun the GT.

Motor Trend recently dug through it's old stories and brought back ten of the fastest Mustangs it has ever tested. Each of these will outrun a new GT, but to be fair, they also have their fair share of mods. Stay tuned to see what Ford has up their sleeve for the newest pony car in their stable.

2003 Mustang Mach 1 Vortech. 1/4 mile: 12.0 sec @ 121.2 mph 0-60: 3.9 sec.

2008 Ford Shelby GT500 KR. 1/4 mile: 12.4 sec @ 118.1 mph 0-60: 4.1 sec.

2007 Ford Shelby GT500. 1/4 mile: 12.7 sec @ 114.2 mph 0-60: 4.4 sec.

2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. 1/4 mile: 12.8 sec @ 113.2 mph 0-60: 4.7 sec.

1998 Saleen S351. 1/4 mile: 12.9 sec @ 116.8 mph 0-60: 4.6 sec.

2008 Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang. 1/4 mile: 12.9 sec @ 111.3 mph 0-60: 4.3 sec.

2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R. 1/4 mile: 12.9 sec @ 110.8 mph 0-60: 4.4 sec.

2008 Racecraft 420 S. 1/4 mile: 12.9 sec @ 110.0 mph 0-60: 4.4 sec.

2008 Ford Shelby GT SC. 1/4 mile: 13.0 sec @ 110.2 mph 0-60: 4.6 sec.

2006 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang. 1/4 mile: 13.0 sec @ 109.7 mph 0-60: 4.5 sec.

More 2010 Ford Mustang Review goodness

Ford is handing out test drives with aplomb, and this time it's Autoblog that has the goods. Another reviewer, more positive comments, as the folks at Autoblog are very impressed with the new pony car. And we are too. Call us jealous as they were able to test one in our personal favorite color, grabber blue. When Ford decides to offer the new Mustang with a Boss 302 package, we'll certainly be waiting in line for one...

Video: 2010 Ford Mustang gets busy

Introducing the 2010 Ford Mustang
From all accounts, the new 2010 Ford Mustang is a marked improvement over it's predecessor in every way. We had to wait an agonizingly long time to see the car in it's entirety, and now we have to wait to drive or purchase one.

But in the meantime we can take solace watching some Ford drivers take the pony car through it's paces for the cameras. What you will witness here is 44 seconds of an intoxicating exhaust note along with a nice donut and smoky burnout. Is there any other way to drive one?

Okay, so it's obviously CGI. And it's the same video you see when you go to the official 2010 Mustang site. But hey, it's all we got right now.

2010 Ford Mustang cheaper than Camaro and Challenger

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Never has an old saying been more true than when it comes to pony car pricing. And it is once again true, as the pricing for the soon to be released 2010 Mustang has leaked out.


Base price for a standard V6-powered 2010 Mustang is reportedly $21,845, including delivery charge. For comparison, its biggest competitor will surely be the Camaro, which starts at $22,995. The other revived pony car is the Dodge Challenger, which in base SE form begins with a $22,545 sticker price.

Each of these entry-level models comes equipped with a standard V6 engine, though the Challenger comes only with a four-speed automatic while its competitors offer a stick. Anyone wanting an open-air experience has no choice but to opt for the Ford, as the Blue Oval's offering is the only modern musclecar with an optional drop-top.

Stepping up to a V8-powered Mustang will reportedly run you $27,995 – quite a bit cheaper than the V8-powered Camaro's $30,995 sticker. Dodge's entry runs $30,545 for the base R/T model and its HEMI V8. It's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, of course, as the Mustang GT is down a bit on horsepower compared to its rivals, but we think the GT's cut-rate pricing should be more than enough to keep Ford's pony at the top of the sales charts.

For more information on options and pricing, download Ford's pdf here.

2010 Mustang live at L.A. Auto Show

2010 Mustang FIRST Reveal!!
We're offcially suffering from new Mustang fever, which is to be expected given the agonizingly slow unveiling that we have suffered from for weeks. No matter what your opinion on the way that Ford has marketed it's new pony car, you can't deny that it has created tons of hype.

Now the new 'stang has arrived live and in person, and it did so with a cloud of tire smoke, as the Racing / Falken Tire Drift Mustang slid onto the scene with driver Vaughn Gitten Jr. behind the wheel. We don't know many details about the car, except that it features a supercharged Ford Racing crate motor and a completely stripped interior. Next up, the 2010 Mustang lineup arrived, including the V6, GT, and even one equipped with the Ford Racing supercharger system. Because of the mechanical similarities to the previous generation, the 2010 Mustang already has a built in aftermarket. Ford Racing already has 32 accessories ready for the car, and we also talked with Roush at the event who should have plenty of products ready by the time the car arrives in dealerships.

Many has expressed concern about the car's 315 horsepower ranking, especially with the new Camaro and Challenger touting much better numbers. But Mustangs have always made up in the aftermarket for what they lack in power from the showroom. Plus, we have been informed that Ford will be bringing an answer to the table soon in the form of a special edition.

PRESS RELEASE:

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2008 – Muscle goes modern for 2010 as the Ford Mustang – America's favorite muscle car for 45 years straight – hits the streets with a new exterior design; new world-class interior featuring well-crafted materials and updated technology; and a V-8 with even more horsepower and an even throatier signature Mustang exhaust sound.

Combine those elements with the new Mustang's improved handling characteristics, more standard safety and technology features and its already-strong safety and quality performance and reputation, and it's easy to see how the muscle car known around the world delivers on the promise of fast, fun and affordable performance for a whole new era.

"More than 9 million customers have made Mustang one of the world's most beloved automotive and cultural icons," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Making sure this modern legend lives up to their expectations has been a driving force for the team, which went to great lengths – gathering customer input everywhere from race tracks to Main Streets in cities throughout the U.S. – working to create the best Mustang ever."

For 2010, the team delivered. "The new Mustang marks new levels of both power and refinement," said Paul Randle, Mustang chief engineer. "We've designed and engineered this to be the next classic Mustang that everyone talks about for years and years."

In true Mustang tradition, there is a "steed for every need." At launch, customers can choose from a V-6 or V-8 with their choice of coupe, convertible or innovative glass roof, plus several new options and features delivering the opportunity for customers to personalize their cleaner, meaner-looking Mustangs.

"The best Mustangs have always been the ones that connect young America with the spirit of the times – and the 2010 does exactly that," said J Mays, Ford's group vice president of Design. "The new Mustang is close to the magnetic center of the original, fully loaded with the swagger you'd expect, but with modern refinement and attention to detail like you've never seen in a muscle car."

It starts with the more aggressive grille, punctuated with the first new Mustang emblem since the car's introduction in 1964. Both the V-6 and GT have brand-new sculptured front-end designs unique to each model. The headlamps and turn indicators, now integrated into one unit, are modern interpretations inspired by the 1970 Mustang. On the V-6, the fog lamps are located on the lower fascia, while on the GT, the fog lamps are again located in the upper grille – but are smaller than the outgoing model, similar to the original lamps of the 1967-68 models that inspired them.

"We understand Mustang's heritage and iconic status it has in the world and as a symbol of Americana," said Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas. "We wanted to create a face that is more muscular but unquestionably, unequivocally Mustang and carry that spirit through to the entire car."

The exterior sheet metal, except for the fast-back roofline, is all new for 2010. At the front, the new headlamps, lower fascias, fenders and grille are capped by a powerdome hood that adds to the muscular appearance while functionally allowing for enhanced air cooling of the engine.
Mustang's washer-fluid nozzles are tucked into the cowl, while the antenna has been moved to the rear, both of which create a cleaner appearance while also reducing wind noise.

Front rear fenders feature taut, sculptured wheel flares, like a tight skin stretched over the wheels. A classic spear character line on the doors leads to a modern indication of "hip" rear fenders. "It helps give the car aggressive, forward direction, like it's ready to jump," said Doug Gaffka, Mustang chief designer.

The rear end design features aggressively angled rear corners, a sculptured decklid and prominent rear badge. A rear-view camera incorporated into the spoiler is available on some models.

A notable new tail lamp design features three LED bulbs firing sequentially from the inside for turn indication. The sequential bulbs were a distinct Mustang feature in the '60s and comeback to the 2010 for the first time since then. Locating the reverse lamps vertically creates a modern version of the Ford classic three-lens taillamp.

The best of new, heritage
Cleverly combining modern technology with Mustang heritage is a signature of the 2010 model, in terms of both design and engineering.

"All of the Bullitt elements are the base foundation of the GT," said Randle, noting engine and chassis improvements. "We also applied some improvements gained from Mustang racing. We're learning constantly and always giving that to the customer on the base car."

The wheel-and-tire combinations are 1 inch bigger across the board, ranging from 17 to 19 inches, which helps improve handling and braking. The shocks have been retuned on all models as well.

"We adjusted the springs, stabilizer bars and shocks to better balance the ride, steering and handling for all models, which results in a more engaging driving experience," adds Mustang Vehicle Engineering manager Tom Barnes. "The 2010 Mustangs feel more controlled for steering and handling, yet retain a good ride balance."

The 2010 Mustang 4.6-liter V-8 benefits from innovations from the popular Bullitt model. Power has increased to 315 horsepower.

"It runs on regular gasoline, but if you put in premium it has adaptive calibration that will give you even better mid-range torque," Barnes said, adding that Easy Fuel™, Ford's innovative capless fuel system, is standard on all models.

"It's an upgrade to the most-robust, most-accessorized engine in the marketplace today," Randle added. "No one has the reliability, no one has the upgraded options. This is a fantastic engine, proven on the race track, the drag strip and on the highway."

AdvanceTrac™ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is now standard and complements Mustang's all-speed traction control and anti-lock braking system (ABS).

"It gives a driver a little more confidence that in any type of condition the car will maintain what they want it to do," Barnes said. "The 2010 Mustang improves ride quality and maintains world-class steering and handling."

In addition to all of the design and driving dynamics improvements, the 2010 Ford Mustang is engineered to maintain its top government safety ratings. Standard safety equipment includes: dual stage front driver and passenger air bags; front seat-mounted side air bags; and, Ford's Personal Safety System.

Interior leads in design, materials, content and comfort
Like the exterior, the interior design is all new with world-class materials and execution. The powerful new one-piece instrument panel design is crafted in seamless soft-touch TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) skin fully encompassing available genuine aluminum-finish panels. Mustang's chromed-ringed gauges and dual-vane air register vents are precisely crafted and positioned.

"That's the difference between good enough and exceptional," said Gary Morales, Interior Design manager. "We wouldn't accept anything less than leadership design and world-class craftsmanship."

The instrument panel and console flow as one shape, another strong connection to Mustang heritage. The seats and arm rests have softer materials with high-quality stitching.

The new center stack design adds the latest version of Ford SYNC™, with new features 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. Drivers also can customize their ambient and instrument lighting through the My Color™ system, which features 125 color options.

"The centerstack is quite progressive. The electronic finish panel containing the audio and climate control buttons and knobs are integrated into the finish panel," said Kim Zielinski, Mustang Instrument Panel engineer, 2010 Mustang. "I believe the customers will really like the new look."

In addition to the improvements in technology and comfort, drivers will notice a quieter ride. "It's much more vault-like," Barnes said. "But we maintained the signature Mustang sound."

The upgraded instrument panel along with new sound deadeners added to select areas helped improve interior quietness, especially at high speeds or on rough roads. All the better to hear that famous Mustang roar.

With a completely redone exterior that echoes the classic Mustang designs of the past, an interior featuring world-class materials, numerous technology upgrades and an improved driving experience, the 2010 Mustang is poised to become the latest classic in the proud line of Ford's iconic American muscle car.

"The 2010 Mustang is drop-dead gorgeous," Randle said. "This car marks the best efforts of 45 years of passion and enthusiasm among the best designers, engineers and manufacturing experts in the business, and we can't wait for everyone to see it and start driving it."

The 2010 Mustang will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich

In depth with the 2010 Ford Mustang

The new 2010 Ford Mustang is out in the open for all to see, and so far everything looks really good. The exterior looks more menacing and more modern than the outgoing model, and the interior is much revised with better materials. Autoblog was able to get the Mustang's head exterior and interior designers, as well as the pony car's head engineer to give them some detailed info about the car in this nice little video. And being as the Mustang in the video is my personal new favorite color, grabber blue, they receive many bonus kudos.

And it's official...the 2010 Ford Mustang

When the 2005 Mustang arrived, it reinvigorated the pony car. After 25 years of being built on the fox platform, the Mustang had an all new platform and some nifty retro styling. Known as the S197, this Mustang appeared at a time when it was in fact the only surviving member of the muscle car class. The Camaro and Firebird had been cancelled two years earlier and Chrysler had been out of the rear-wheel-drive sport coupe market since the 1970s. The Mustang's enormous success inspired Chevrolet and Dodge to create their own retro-styled muscle cars in the form of the new Camaro and Challenger. Fortunately for Mustang fans, Ford has not been sitting idle, and even while it was creating all those special edition Mustangs over the past few years, it was also working on thoroughly revamping its core pony. For the 2010 Mustang, Ford has taken the best parts of the S197 and fixed most of what was broken.

The 2010 'Stang is at once the same and different. Like the 2005-09 model, it's immediately recognizable as Ford famous pony car. If anything, it looks even more like a late '60s Mustang thanks to some additional curvature in its lines, especially along the belt-line. At the same time, it also looks more contemporary. The designers have improved the aerodynamics and reworked many of the design details. What may be even more important for drivers of the Mustang is an all-new interior that finally dispenses with cheap, hard plastics and looks like it was designed in this century, but more on that in a bit.

Starting at the front, the basic theme of the current 'Stang is retained with the forward-canted grille and inset headlamps. The turn signals have been moved into the pocket with the headlamps, which themselves appear smaller than before. The whole hood has been re-contoured with a "power-dome" in the center, which should provide plenty of clearance for performance hardware when tuners and owners begin modding their cars. Out toward the edges, the fender and hood are slightly concave leaving a ridge that runs back to the A-pillar. The whole leading edge of the hood now curves down smoothly to ease the airflow around the nose and over the top of the car. The old school antenna mast has finally been banished from the front fender and the windshield washer nozzles now sit under the trailing edge of the hood instead of on top.

At the outer ends of the lower front fascia are black plastic air deflectors to further enhance the airflow, directing it around the sides instead of underneath the car. All of this contributes to drag reductions of seven percent on the V8-powered GT model and four percent on the base V6. Better management of the air-flow around the front of the car also reduces lift by 23 percent.

Around the sides, the transition from the fenders to the wheel arches has been smoothed out, which eliminates the crease on the current cars. The longitudinal crease that starts at the trailing edge of the front wheels has been sharpened and now has a slight under-cut that makes it more prominent, while the "hockey stick" side scoop contour has been subtly re-shaped. The lower edge of each side window has been moved down and now intersects with the newly curved contour of the rear fender at the trailing edge of the door.

Exterior designer George Saridakis describes the rear haunches and other changes as giving the Mustang a more voluptuous look. At the very back, the outer ends of the rear fascia are now angled forward, which helps to reduce the visual impression of the rear overhang. Also contributing to that revised impression is a rear bumper with a reduced offset.

Around the back of the car, Ford designers have taken advantage of the illusion that results from using contrasting colors. The lower part of the rear fascia is now a contrasting black with a molded-in diffuser. The darker color reduces the visual height of the rear deck. The tail-lamps, which still feature the traditional three bar look, have been re-shaped and now feature sequential turn signals. When the turn signals are on, the three lamps light in sequence from the innermost to the outer. The rear badge has also been reshaped and the keyhole has been removed as the Mustang finally gets an interior trunk release.

When the 2005 Mustang debuted, one of the biggest and most justified criticisms was its interior, specifically the cheap materials and hard plastics. Those criticisms are completely banished in the 2010 Mustang. All the plastic surfaces on the dash are now soft to the touch and pleasant to look at. Even the trim across the dashboard is aluminum rather than metallic-finished plastic. The same goes for the spokes on the steering wheel. The dual-brow look across the top of the dashboard that dates back to the early Mustangs is now also reflected across the lower edge.

The center console of the current model has elements at a variety of heights and many drivers complain about hitting their knees on the parking brake lever when bracing themselves during cornering. The brake lever on the '10 Mustang has been shortened and moved back, well clear of driver's right knees. The arm rest is now flush mounted and there is a retractable cover over the cup holders. The entire surface of the center stack and console now mirrors the arm-rests on the door panels with everything at the same height and matching contours.

The designers have also taken elements that previously stuck up above the dash surface like the A/C registers and gauges and made them flush or even set them below the surface. The sub-flush gauge mounting reduces the impression of looking down a tunnel at the instruments. The back-lit gauges also now have a translucent arc where the numbers are. The numbers normally appear in black against a white background unless you go for the MyColor option. In that case, the background will appear in whatever color the driver chooses. MyColor also brings a back-lit "Mustang" kick plate that is kind of gimmicky but looks cool when you open the door.

The designers have also added a couple of nice detail touches. The standard icon that normally appears on traction control disable switches has been reworked to look like a Mustang including the tri-bar taillights. The basic shape of the steering wheel is carried over but the spokes have been chamfered allowing for a more comfortable grip. The overall impression of the Mustang's new interior is that Ford has improved its execution in making the cockpit both look more appealing and feel better to the touch.

When Ford redesigned the Escape CUV for 2008, the body and interior were also completely redone but the mechanical components were largely carried over. Similarly, the drivetrains and suspension components of the 2010 Mustang are mostly carried over, although some improvements have been made on the V8 GT model. According to chief engineer Paul Randle, the current Bullitt has been considered the best Mustang ever in many respects thanks to its wonderful balance of handling and power, so it was chosen as the baseline for the new GT.

The 2010 GT retains its 4.6L three-valve V8, which has now been bumped up to 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The air intake has been reworked so that fresh air is drawn from behind the grille rather than from the wheel well. The duct from the air filter box to the throttle body has been straightened and smoothed out to reduce flow restriction. The whole car has also been stiffened and new sound insulation has been added for a quieter driving experience.

Since Mustang drivers still like to hear the roar of a big V8, the engineers have compensated. A small tube coming off the side of the duct runs to the passenger compartment giving occupants some of that V8 induction sound directly. GT models with the new 19-inch wheel-and-tire package also get an aluminum strut tower brace to stiffen the car's structure further. The base 4.0L V6 remains unchanged for 2010, although 2011 or soon after will probably see the Mustang follow the Escape's path with more significant powertrain upgrades. That's when we're likely to see Ford's smaller displacement, turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost engines added to the pony.

The Mustang's suspension architecture has also been carried over from the S197, meaning struts with lower control arms up front and a live axle trailing links and a panhard rod out back. The engineers have re-tuned the springs and added new dampers that should improve wheel control and ride. New wheel-and-tire packages are now available across the board with a one-inch increase in diameter. The V6 Mustangs now have 17-inch wheels standard with optional 18-inchers, while the GT has 18-inch or 19-inch packages.

One feature that is new to the 2010 Mustangs is electronic stability control which will be standard on all models. The ESC always defaults to on when you start the car. On the V6 Mustangs the driver will have the option to turn the system off. On the GT, the system can be turned off, or switched to a performance mode that allows more slip before intervening to limit the fun.

One important thing that hasn't changed much is weight. The 2010 V6 Mustang only picks up 15 lbs compared to the 2009 model, while the GT climbs just 35 lbs. That means Mustangs still have an advantage of about 400-500 lbs over the new Camaro and even more compared to the larger Challenger.

We'll be allowed behind the wheel of the new 2010 Ford Mustang in mid-December, at which time we'll let you know how it behaves compared to its predecessor. From what we've seen already, the new interior is far beyond both its new competitors and its predecessor in the areas of design, ergonomics and materials. Assuming Ford doesn't significantly increase the price, the Mustang should continue to offer the affordable performance it always has with a new measure of refinement.

SEMA Dodge Challenger wrapup

The Chevrolet Camaro was the official vehicle of SEMA, but you couldn't walk ten feet without tripping over a Challenger at the show. Dodge's reborn pony car has been a big hit so far with the tuner crowd, and it was obvious by all of the variations seen at this year's SEMA.


George Barris' Red Demon – The flagship model of a three-car series, the Red Demon is packing a 725-hp, supercharged 6.1-liter V8, which motivates 20-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) rollers. However, no amount of power could help the Red Demon escape the long reach of the ugly stick. With an ungainly set of carbon fiber hood scoops, odd 3D roof stripe and a split rear spoiler, we're happy to report that production is limited.


Newport Convertible Engineering Inc – Dodge may have made the decision not to offer the Challenger sans roof, but a number of firms are stepping up to hack the lid off the modern-day muscle car. NCE made an admirable attempt at creating an OEM-like fit and finish, but it's still a bit rough and there's no word on additional bracing to avoid the chassis doing its best wet noodle impression.


Mopar Underground Blacktop – The brawny black brawler is only equipped with a cat-back exhaust, intake, coilovers and wheels, but what it lacks in mods it makes up for with presence.


Class Design Concepts Group 2 Widebody – Mixing a menacing stance with a Vortech supercharger, 15-inch Baer brakes and a KW coilover setup, the widebody Challenger is ready to do battle against its pony car competition.


Mr. Norm's AAR 'Cuda – Drag racing legend Mr. Norm is in touch with his inner speed demon and the result is this 900-hp (claimed) 'Cuda redux with SSBC brakes, forged wheels, Hotchkis suspension and a Plymouth-inspired grille.


Mopar Underground Targa – We're a sucker for road-going racers and particularly those that have a grueling campaign under their belts. The Targa Challenger hits both points and comes equipped with tweaked HEMI V8 putting out 540 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque to a Tremec six-speed manual and modified rear diff. The KW suspension and StopTech brakes round things out, making the Targa one of the most desirable Challengers on the floor.


Mopar Drift Challenger – Sam Hubinett is a lucky guy. Not only does he get to slide cars sideways for a living, but he gets to do it in this 850-hp Challenger. While it's hardly subtle, we're sure the paint scheme will catch spectator's eyes and we're digging the fender-mounted roller blade wheels to keep barrier brushes to a minimum.


Hurst HEMI – It's one of the most subtle and attractive Challengers on the floor, and even has those of us less than enamored by the coupe have a soft spot for the Hurst. The 530-hp, Stage 4 package helps too.


Group Five Limited TT G5/R – Two turbos, a tuned ECU and plenty of custom upgrades make the Group Five one of the most heavily modified Challengers on the floor.


Challenger SRT10 Concept – 8.4-liter Viper-sourced V10. Period. The Bilsteins, brakes and custom body panels are nice too. But 600+ hp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque does most of the speaking.