When Dodge re-introduced the Challenger this spring, it was a feeding frenzy. The blending of the old with the new, top performance and extremely low production numbers drove the price out of reach for most enthusiasts. It’s likely that a majority of the coveted 6,412 units produced for 2008 will simply gather dust in owner’s garages rather than see street duty. In fact I’ve only seen two on the street to date.

Fortunately the 2009 model year has begun, so the wait for the Mopar faithful is over as Dodge will gladly make as many Challengers as consumers will buy. That still could be a low number as the high cost of fuel and the economy could put the Challenger out of reach for some-unless they opt for the “Six Pak.” No, this is not the infamous multi-carburetor set up Dodge offered in the early ’70s. While not an official designation, the “Six Pak” is the term I chose to describe the modern 3.5 liter V-6 engine in the SE version.

» Click to enlarge image

Dodge recently introduced the entire 2009 Challenger line at Englishtown, N.J., at Raceway Park Dragway and on surrounding roads where I was able to put a variety of Challengers through their paces, including the “Six Pak” SE model.

For 2009 the Challenger line consists of: SE (3.5-liter V-6), R/T (5.7-liter V-8) and SRT-8 (6.1-liter V-8). The SE has a very affordable base price of $21,995, the R/T starts at $29,995, and the SRT-8 checks in at $39,995. All the prices include the $675 destination charge.

While the SE is the base version, it does not look the part. Lined up at the media preview, the exterior differences between the SE and SRT-8 are minor. The SE lacks racing stripes and offers less aggressive front and rear spoilers. The SRT-8’s steamroller tires and attractive rims are also missing. The flipper gas cap is absent along with some badging, and that’s about it. From 10 feet the only thing that would indicate base car status are the wheels and tires which can easily be rectified. With a little paint on the roof, some classic stripes and details, you could craft a very modern version of an old Challenger and do it on the cheap. The Mopar parts division along with the aftermarket will offer a host of dress up/improvement parts to help you make a Challenger your own. A new company named SMS, fronted by noted car builder Steve M. Saleen, is already building custom supercharged ’09 Challengers.

Getting back to the stock SE, the inside has the same basic look as the other Challengers. The trim work isn’t as flashy and the painted plastic parts are just OK, the seats are cloth and options differ. The SE does offer Keyless Go, push button start, Remote Start and Uconnect phone, iPod interface and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

During the drive, I missed the SRT-8’s power bucket seats with their aggressive bolsters. While there are retro styling cues like the trapezoidal door-panel cove, round gauge cluster and slanted shifter console, the interior does not come with a front seat bench option like the original.

There is comfortable seating for four, and five will fit if the middle passenger is a child. Back seat passengers will have to negotiate around the very retro drive shaft hump. I wouldn’t advise a five-person cross-country trip as the back seat is cavelike with high side panels and small forward-set windows terminating at a concealed “B” pillar. The rear bench seat is a 60/40 split-folding unit that provides access to the large 16.2 cubic-foot trunk.

Also, I hope you like black interiors because that is the only color offered for ’09.

A final comment on the interior is that it’s just average. I didn’t notice any ill-fitting pieces or hear any rattles, but the quality of the materials could be better. The interior could also use some more color/bright work.

Moving to the other side of the firewall the SE comes with a 3.5-liter (215 cubic-inch) High Output “Six Pak” V-6 with 250 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. While those numbers pale with regard to the R/T model’s 376 horses and the SRT-8’s 425 horses they still move this car reasonably well and yield 25 mpg on the highway, 18 in the city.

By comparison the original Challenger did offer a six-cylinder SE model, but it came in the form of a 225 cubic-inch straight six. Performance was, ah, shall we say leisurely with 100 net horsepower.

The 3.5-liter engine features a dual-tuned intake manifold with electronically controlled manifold short-runner valves (SRV). A coil-on-plug ignition system reduces maintenance costs and exhaust emissions while helping to boost fuel economy. As for fuel Dodge recommends 89 octane.

And as for transmission choices … there aren’t any. Strangely, Dodge doesn’t offer the SE with a manual. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only one offered, but it does come with fully adaptive electronic control and provided smooth shifts. The five-speed automatic offered in the R/T and SRT-8 models is a better unit. The SE’s four-speed automatic transmission features an electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) that nearly eliminates torque converter slippage and Dodge indicates that it boosts fuel economy up to 3 percent when compared to a non-EMCC converter. With electronic throttle control, wide-open throttle up-shifts and down-shifts were uneventful.

Challenger is built off a modified Dodge Charger platform and as such features the same front short- and long-arm suspension and five-link independent rear suspension system.

While at a drag strip for the program, we were not able to make quarter-mile passes and instead took hot laps on the road course. We also spent time on the road in the surrounding countryside and back to the Big Apple.

Under power, the ride was well-damped and the on-road feel was good but a little firmer than a base Charger. Dodge states they gave the suspension more of a performance tune throughout all Challenger models verses the Chargers.

The SE’s four-wheel disc brakes feature single-piston aluminum calipers and vented rotors in the front and single-piston aluminum calipers with solid rotors in the rear. Nothing fancy but they were very effective during some simulated panic stops. Dodge indicates that the SE has a 60-to-0-mph stopping distance of approximately 130 feet.

On the road course the R/T and SRT-8 models tended to skip across several rough corners. On the street, I also noticed a little rear end chatter on the SE tester over rough pavement.

My test car came with optional ABS, all-speed traction control with brake assist and electronic stability control,

The only real driving issue: the tall p215/65R17 tires. They just don’t provide enough grip. Make sure you opt for the 18-inchers.

As I mentioned before, acceleration was stronger than I expected and brisk takeoffs are no problem. While the 3.5-liter is listed as High Output, other Chrysler products get the exact same engine with the same power ratings. On the highway there were plenty of horses on tap to pass and you can easily get yourself into trouble if you’re wearing heavy shoes.

The Challenger is back and while the interior could be better and handling could be ratcheted up a bit, this car is fun to drive and a great looking machine to be seen in. The R/T and SRT-8 models will grab all the attention but the affordable SE with its very similar looks, and decent gas mileage will keep the line afloat.