Mopar® Unveils 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at SEMA -Reveal illustrates “if you can dream it, you can build it with Mopar®” – Shaun Carlson and Samuel Hübinette on the 2009 Mopar Drift Challenger

Mopar®, Chrysler LLC’s global service and parts division, is bringing the all-new Dodge Challenger to the next generation of motorsports enthusiasts. Mopar will unveil the much-anticipated 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger today at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.

Team Mopar driver and two-time Formula Drift (FD) champion Samuel Hübinette, who will steer the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger during the 2009 season, participated in the reveal. Hübinette’s team owner Shaun Carlson, owner of NuFormz Racing, was also in attendance. Carlson spearheaded the build of the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at his NuFormz Racing shop in Ontario, Calif.

The unveiling of the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger at SEMA continues Mopar’s long commitment to the rising motorsport of drifting. Mopar and Hübinette teamed up to capture the inaugural FD championship in 2004, with Hübinette also taking the 2006 FD title. Hübinette has claimed nine career FD victories, a series high, spreading the word about Mopar power to the younger demographic of race fans that follow drifting.

“The debut of the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger solidifies the Mopar theme – if you can dream it, you can build it with Mopar,” said Steve Shugg, Director of Sales and Marketing – Mopar, Chrysler LLC. “Mopar is reaching out to today’s car enthusiast by combining its storied racing heritage with a variety of performance and accessory products that allow customers to make a personal statement with their vehicle.”

Shaun Carlson and Samuel Hübinette on the 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger

The creation of the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger was no easy task for Carlson and his NuFormz Racing crew.

“We learned a lot from building the Mopar Drift Dodge Charger, which Sam drove during the 2007 season, and transferred that knowledge to the Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger,” said Carlson. “When we decided to bring out a new competition drift car, what better platform than the new Dodge Challenger. It has cool styling, great aerodynamics and it’s a car that we feel is going to create a lot of buzz among fans of the FD Series.”

“One of the biggest modifications was making the car light,” Carlson remarked. “Much of the body is now carbon-fiber, which cut quite a bit of weight. We’ve been able to put a lot of time, effort and hard work into this car. It’s going to be strong.”

“This is going to be an exciting time, bringing out another car and another platform,” said Hübinette, who in 2009 will mark his sixth year as a member of Team Mopar. “All that we learned from building the Dodge Charger drift car is transformed into this car and really makes it competitive. The Dodge Challenger is definitely the hot vehicle right now – everybody’s talking about it. Having the vehicle built as a competition drift car is just going to add even more excitement. We’re pumped up about launching this car, doing some testing over the winter and getting it ready to rock, and then taking home some victories next year.”

The Dodge Durango midsize SUV offers a slew of new available engines for 2008. Not only the engines, but also new technologies and design details scattered about the interior and exterior. 

The base engine the 2008 model is a 210 horsepower 3.7-liter VG. There is also an optional 303 horsepower 4.7-liter V8 that can run on E85 ethanol, and a new 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that can generate up to 335 horsepower. This new engine shuts down half the cylinders when they’re not necessary to save fuel. The V6 engine teams with a four-speed automatic transmission while the V8 models get a five-speed automatic. Both come with either rear or four-wheel drive, and if the proper combination is chosen, the Durango can tow an impressive 8,950 pounds! This makes use of the useful Trailer Sway Control for when you’re towing heavy items, such as boats.

The inside can hold up to eight occupants with three rows of seats and can go down all the way to 5-passenger occupancy with two rows of seats; the second row has bucket seats available as well. Whatever configuration you choose, all seats are capable of folding flat for an increase in the already impressive cargo volume. A variety of material is available as well from heated cloth seats to the stain and odor resistant YES Essentials fabric. The lucky bodies that occupy whatever seating configuration you choose can enjoy the Alpine Sound System, an optional DVD Entertainment System, available SIRIUS Satellite Radio and more!

Further technology is provided to the driver. Things like an optional Navigation System, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center and Power Adjustable Pedals make driving a lot more comfortable. Other things like the UConnect Hands-Free System, Dual Automatic Temperature Control, Power Liftgate, Three-Blink Turn Signal and other power features only add to the convenience Durango brings.

The safety that the 2008 Durango provides is equally as enthralling. The Electronic Stability Program keeps the vehicle in control when extreme steering maneuvers are needed. Antilock braking, traction control and AWD keep the road stable on the ground in a number of conditions. The pioneering ParkSense Rear Park Assist System uses sound waves to alert the driver when they’re approaching another object. In case of an accident, the 2008 Durango is equipped with multistage frontal airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags. Dodge has your back.

No matter what your reasoning is, this midsize SUV is the perfect choice for your next vehicle!

The folks at Dodge take the functionality of a sedan and the command of a muscle car and combine it one excellent machine. The 2008 Dodge Charger storms into the market as the base SE trim, high performance R/T trim or in the SXT package. Whatever you choose, prepare to be dazzled.

The combination of a sporty coupe and a four-door sedan give the Charger a unique look that gives it a strong presence. Everything from the bold lines, broad hood, muscular arches and the crossbar grille screams authority. It also gives the Charger some exceptional aerodynamics.

This visually appealing machine runs on a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 250-horsepower. The base engine in R/T models is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 can make 340-horsepower; this engine can make 350-horsepower in the Daytona R/T model. The SRT8 model is treated with the most powerful 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 engine. The Charger engines alternate between two different modes of performance to boost fuel economy. All engines run on a five-speed automatic transmission that uses an AutoStick feature to get manual gear selection.

Five passengers can fit in the 2008 Charger interior and the 60/40-split folding rear seat allow for a versatile combination of people and cargo. Some standard features include cruise control, power features and remote keyless entry. Going up in trim level gets more features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power adjustable seats, illuminated mirrors and a higher quality Boston sound system. Some available features include a navigation system and a backseat video entertainment system, making this vehicle perfect for the sports car enthusiast or family man. The MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System doesn’t only put all of the controls for these technologies in one convenient place, but it also gives you 20GB of storage; it’s sort of like an onboard computer.

Safety in the Charger is nothing to be turning your nose up at at either. An Electronic Stability Program aids drivers by maintaining control of the vehicle based on readings of the current driving scenario. Antilock brakes and AWD give the vehicle a more secure feel while driving and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System—along with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center—keep the driver informed about the vehicle status. The front occupants are protected by advanced multistage airbags, everyone is secure with available side-curtain, and seat mounted airbags.

All of this combined creates a quiet, smooth and powerful ride. You’ll forget that you’re driving on occasion with the smooth transitions between gears and the excellent stability technologies. The 2008 Dodge Charger is worthwhile for multiple audiences.