The muscle car with an attitude has been auctioned off for some USD 400,000 at a charity auction. All proceeds, which were paid by a gentleman named Craig Jackson, chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, will go to the notMYkid charity organization which helps kids deal with adolescent behavioral health issues.

Why so much money you might wonder? Because this is the limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. It is actually the very first unit to roll off the production line, and over 60 percent of planned production has already been sold.

Chrysler LLC, makers of the Challenger, have apparently been overwhelmed with demand for the car. Good news for the struggling manufacturer then. Only 6,400 examples will be produced of this particular limited edition over its lifetime, making it a potentially-rare purchase for the future. Not very exclusive, but nevertheless still rare.

The SRT8 features a 6.1-litre HEMI V8 powerplant, mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox and tough braking ability.

The new Dodge Challenger harks back to the 1970s car, with very modern touches and finishing. It is said to be “race inspired, street legal” SRT DNA, in the words of Chrysler themselves.

War is now fully erupting between Detroit’s big three boys as they flex their old school-inspired muscle power for 21st century tastes. Perhaps he who fires the first salvo shall indeed win the war.