If Chrysler’s newest owner, Fiat, wants to figure out how to turn some of its own forthcoming cars into rides that Americans will genuinely want to own, it needs look no further than the Dodge brand’s own Challenger SRT8. For here is a hot rod that was adapted off an existing platform (that of the 300, Charger, and now-discontinued Magnum wagon) on the cheap, yet serves up heaps of character and a thoroughly pleasing, contemporary driving experience.

What everyone wants to know while you’re tooling around in a racing-striped, bright yellow, 425hp coupe is—of course—how fast it is. And of course the answer is, “Fast.” 0-60 flashes past in under 5 seconds, though the way the Challenger gets there is a bit of a surprise. Despite a 6.1-liter version of the storied Hemi engine, its not all low-end torque (though there are 420lb-ft of twist on offer); more marked is the way the big V8 climbs up onto its power curve, pulling harder and harder as it approaches redline. Very European, though a bit anarchistic given the sheetmetal and gloriously American exhaust bellow.

The five-speed automatic (a holdover from the era of Mercedes ownership) does an adequate job: its shifts are smooth and fast, but the software controlling its manual mode changes could use some massaging. There’s no rev-matching on downshifts (which therefore tend to upset the chassis on corner entry), and it won’t hold gears at the engine’s limiter in the manual mode, either. Perhaps Dodge assumes real gearheads will go for the pistol-gripped manual…

But then they’d be missing out on the Challenger’s real party trick, which is its ability to play the refined cruiser so well. It is quite astonishing, really, how quiet and smooth riding this seemingly bellicose SRT8 can be. Zip up onto the interstate, set the cruise, and relax into the embrace of the incredibly comfortable (yet laterally supportive) SRT seats. Soon you’ll notice that all the crappy blemishes that blight our road network are being smoothed away, despite the aggressive 20” rolling stock and sports suspension.

The tuning of springs, dampers, bushings, and antiroll bars is quite amazing, really. That such suppleness is combined with decent body control really helps the Dodge excel in normal use. The Challenger SRT8 is a big, heavy car, though, meaning it’s not as suited to track days as perhaps the newest Mustang GT. Its steering feel isn’t as defined, and while its big Brembo brakes resist fade quite well in normal to hard use, they’ll wilt under repeated laps. But all that’s probably missing the point. What the Dodge is better at than the Ford (or Chevy Camaro) is blending ease of use and comfort with the muscle and looks to give a car real character.

The Challenger also has the best-built, highest quality feeling interior of all three pony cars, and it’s the only one with a genuinely useable back seat. For 2010 they’ve tweaked the door panels and other minor bits, adding soft-touch surfaces. It still needs a smaller, more evocative steering wheel, and a dash more style inside wouldn’t hurt, but overall, it feels like an honest updated of ‘70’s themes. Outside, in many ways, its looks have aged the best, if such can be said of a retro recreation that’s only been on the market for a couple of years.

If the new custodians can properly leverage the talent that helped create the Challenger SRT8, the plethora of product coming from the renewed Chrysler over the next few years may really be something to celebrate. For those unwilling to wait, this big, bad machine is ready right now. And through April 30, they’re offering $2000 in ‘Mopar Bucks’ with the purchase of most Challengers in the lineup, which will allow buyers to grab all kinds of cool dress-up and performance enhancers, with which to customize their new ride.

Price as tested: $47,185

Here’s what Dodge has to say.

Here’s my video review of the 2009 Challenger SRT8.

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