There's a new challenger to the Challenger

Muscle cars were big in the late 1960s and early 1970s until the gas crunch and Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements killed them. But they're back now, bigger than ever. A muscle car generally is defined as a small or medium-bodied vehicle with a high-horsepower engine and other performance options. They weren't necessarily fancy but they meant business.

One of the hottest new cars to my way of thinking is the 2008 Ford Mustang, in either convertible or fastback version. But now there's a new sheriff in town: the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8--and it's a formidable looking creation.
The new Challenger looks very much like its 1970 ancestor, only "badder," according to current lingo. The front and rear fascias appear to be molded-in on the new one and the character lines are a bit more defined and sharper than the original. There are many more technical innovations in the 2008 edition to make the early 1970s versions look primitive, but that's to be expected. For about $40,000, give or take a few thousand, you'll be able to buy a new Challenger which has a 425-horsepower "hemi" engine and comes in only orange, black or silver color schemes. I can't wait to see one in person; it's definitely bad to the bone.
Contemporary autos are replete with comfort, power and economy but they are not necessarily bold or stylish. You might not pay much attention to most of the cars seen on the road today. But the new Challenger has to be an attention-getter--and that's fine with me.