Possible Dodge Challenger

[ToolGuy]

By Rick Kranz Automotive News / June 13, 2005 DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger. In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger. Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger. "It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it." Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled. "They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says. "The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big." Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans. Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says. The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker. The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar and AMC Javelin. And, yes, the original Challenger had a Hemi V-8. Better have a manual trans option too!

[ZubenElGenubi]

Well, let's hope they don't water it down the way they did with the Charger (i.e., 2-dr amazing concept to 4-dr sedan).

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »Well, let's hope they don't water it down the way they did with the Charger (i.e., 2-dr amazing concept to 4-dr sedan).Blah, another Dodge lookalike...the new Charger looks aweful

[ToolGuy]

The Chrysler Group. This week's Automotive News reported that the Chrysler Group is investigating doing a short-wheelbase Coupe version of its next-generation LX platform in order to bring back the Challenger nameplate and compete against the Mustang in 2009. Wait a minute, isn't this the same company that went on the record repeatedly with the media when the Charger was first introduced as a four-door sedan, insisting that coupes were dead in the U.S. market and that nobody was buying them anymore? And wasn't that exactly the reason they gave for not doing a short wheelbase version of the current LX platform - which would have allowed them to do a proper Coupe version of the Charger? The roaring success of the Mustang has changed a few minds out in Auburn Hills, apparently. But a Challenger? In 2009? Who has that kind of time? Playing catch-up doesn't exactly sound like the bunch that promotes themselves as the purveyor of "segment busters" in the market, does it? What's next, the return of the Dodge Demon in 2012?

[Merzbow]

(removed) Dodge Demon. (King of the Hill voice) Boy I tell you what, it better not be styled anything like the Charger or I'm going to take over the US military and destroy Dodge once and for all. Ford is the only company doing a good job at bringing back the clasics and still retaining a hint of the old style whereas everyone else (excuse the language) F*CKS it up...GTO, CHARGER, MALIBU, IMPALA, MONTE CARLO are all PERFECT examples if dumb @$$ designers that I will strive to replace once I graduate with my engineering degree.BTW, the Gratiot cruise is tomorow and if I see any of the new Chargers cruising (which is almost garentee) I'm going to give them an extruded tongue and a thumbs down. They are nice looking cars but no where near a Charger.

[tangerine]

fords new mustang looks like **** too. Nobody can remake the classics.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »Well, let's hope they don't water it down the way they did with the Charger (i.e., 2-dr amazing concept to 4-dr sedan).I think the Challenger concept looks pretty sharp http://www.roadandtrack.com/ar...=3104

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I think the Challenger concept looks pretty sharp http://www.roadandtrack.com/ar...=3104This is what the Charger should have looked like. It's also in the newest Motor Trend that I just got in the mail today.

[kostby]

Yup, they dumped most of the recent 'Dodge' grille and front end look, and restated the styling cues of the original pretty well.

[redlava]

But the question is will they actually make it still look like that in the production model. The concept car looks bad (removed), but most automakers tone down the car into some god-awful travesty. If they keep it looking like that they will have a real winner on their hands.

[mcgusto82]

it does look pretty nice. chrysler and dodge HAD good reason to call their new charger what they did. the market for a full size sedan is HUGE compared to the coupe market. they have a great product. sells great too. it is a success! now that they have a new platform in the works and it's far more expensive to retro fit a sedan platform than it is to design a joint project. so they are giving those who bought the original chargers a chance to buy them again. those who bought the original likely didn't have a family to haul around. the sedan gives them the ability make it usefull and exciting.like others have said, i hope the final product keeps much of the atributes the concept does.now if the next gen grand prix is a rear drive than it will be between that, the next GTO, and the challenger. i too will be due for a new car.

[PHXLavaVibe]

I think the Charger should have looked more like the concept for the Challenger. I was pissed when I first saw what the Charger looked like after production. It's starting to grow on me now though. I just think it's stupid that they bring back the Challenger as this hot muscle car but yet didn't give the remake of the '69 Dodge Charger RT/SE the respect it deserved. Although if I had the money I would probably buy both of the new ones.

[Merzbow]

I was reading all kinds of articles on the Challenger yesterday. It actually looks like a Challenger. If they keep it how the concept looks, in my eyes they will have redeemed themselves for the mistake they made on the Charger. Actaully if the Charger's rear end was about 12inches longer and sloped down a tad, it would look more like hte old Charger.Here is another picture of it by the way.

[AndyLT1]

I like it! And I'm a die-hard GM guy. If they don't come out with a new Camaro or Firebird that is as good looking as the Challenger I might switch sides. That car is sweet!