Will the 2012 Dodge Challenger well into its production run, reported from  Challengerenthusiast.net, think it’s time to start turning out attention to the upcoming 2012 Challenger model.  With all the changes at Chrysler and new management from Fiat, the 2012 model year should be very interesting to say the least.

The biggest rumor for the 2012 Dodge Challenger is the elimination of the current 6.1L HEMI V8 in the SRT8 model.  It is strongly speculated that the 2011 Challenger will get a new more powerful and more fuel efficient 6.4L HEMI V8 with MDS, available in the SRT8 model only.  Horsepower and torque numbers for the new HEMI have not been officially released, but the current 6.4L HEMI V8 crate motor available from Mopar Performance generates a solid 525 bhp and 510 ft-lbs. of torque so that should give us a good idea of what this new power plant is capable of.  This engine is also speculated to be available for the other 2011 SRT8 models as well, the Charger SRT8 and the Chrysler 300 SRT8.

The availability of transmissions for the new 6.4L HEMI is a source of more controversy.  Most reports suggest that the 2012 Challenger SRT8 and Charger SRT8 will launch with the W5A580 5-speed automatic transmission as the only option.  The status of the current Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual gearbox is currently unknown.  Sergio Marchionne has indicated that Chrysler is currently looking to source a vendor to replace the current expensive Mercedes transmission.  However, no firm direction has been confirmed as of yet.  There are however a couple rumors though circulating, the first of which is that Chrysler is developing a seven speed variant of the W5A580.  The second one is that Chrysler is co-developing an eight speed automatic transmission.