Dodge Challenger news - Dodge Challenger muscles in - 2006

Dodge's Challenger Concept is set to be one of the stars of this year's Detroit motor show.

The Challenger will go on sale in 2008 in the US and will undoubtedly take the sales fight to the Ford Mustang, stirring up a rivalry going back to the 1960s.

Dodge is keeping quiet about the Challenger coming to the UK, but the firm's recent moves to officially import the SRT-10 and Ram pick-ups bodes well for British muscle car fans.

The new model is unashamedly retro in appearance, taking its styling cues from the classic 1970 Challenger R/T.

This theme continues inside with ribbed leather seats and a 'piston grip' gear lever handle.

Even the engine has a retro beat, a classic Hemi V8. However, the Mopar motor lurking under the new car's bonnet is bang up to date and touts 425bhp from its 6.1 litres.

The gearbox is a manual six-speeder.

The chassis is based on the 300C's, so rear-wheel drive and decent handling are part of the Challenger's armoury.

(For more pictures and details about the Dodge Challenger, check out the February issue of Top Gear magazine)