Dodge: Challenger News
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Dodge: Challenger News
Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang - - By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek
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.
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.
#3
Senior Moderator
I was going to post this 5 min ago, but I figured you were doing the usual Autoweek updates.
This move makes plenty of sense. Although they probly could have been in the game today with a 2 door, MT optional Charger.
This move makes plenty of sense. Although they probly could have been in the game today with a 2 door, MT optional Charger.
#5
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally Posted by dom
I was going to post this 5 min ago, but I figured you were doing the usual Autoweek updates.
Hey we all can post news here. So go ahead...post away
#7
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Age: 43
Posts: 5,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Mustang needs competition. Ford will have to improve the S197 over it's product life to match the competition. Hopefully the Challenger comes with an IRS.
Trending Topics
#8
Safety Car
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION GM!!!!!! Chevy officials said not long got that the Monte Carlo was all the coupe the needed!!! WTF!! Get a RWD platform for the masses in the U.S. ASAP, and get the fuckin' Camaro back. GM's going to watch the whole parade go buy (oh, but they've pushed up the GMT900, so everything's okay).
Good for D/C... they've realized that this RWD trend (with a new, heighted awareness that the consumers are more educated these days) isn't going anywhere. And they've done a great job of capitalizing on the Hemi name (they're even enlarging the badges now).
Good for D/C... they've realized that this RWD trend (with a new, heighted awareness that the consumers are more educated these days) isn't going anywhere. And they've done a great job of capitalizing on the Hemi name (they're even enlarging the badges now).
Last edited by titan; 06-13-2005 at 11:31 AM.
#10
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by titan
ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION GM!!!!!! Chevy officials said not long got that the Monte Carlo was all the coupe the needed!!! WTF!! Get a RWD platform for the masses in the U.S. ASAP, and get the fuckin' Camaro back. GM's going to watch the whole parade go buy (oh, but they've pushed up the GMT900, so everything's okay).
Good for D/C... they've realized that this RWD trend (with a new, heighted awareness that the consumers are more educated these days) isn't going anywhere. And they've done a great job of capitalizing on the Hemi name (they're even enlarging the badges now).
Good for D/C... they've realized that this RWD trend (with a new, heighted awareness that the consumers are more educated these days) isn't going anywhere. And they've done a great job of capitalizing on the Hemi name (they're even enlarging the badges now).
A slimer, better styled and slightly cheaper GTO would have got the job done IMO.
#11
Safety Car
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dom
A slimer, better styled and slightly cheaper GTO would have got the job done IMO.
#14
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by stopsign
What was wrong with releasing the charger as a coupe option and release it with the sedan?
I think the platform is just too damn big to be converted to a coupe.
#15
It sounds like a good idea, but 2009 is too far off and the market will have changed again most likely. It would be a perfect car for a 2006 release cause these cars are hot right now, they may fizzle in 4 years though.
#16
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,437
Received 5,105 Likes
on
2,708 Posts
Should be interesting.
I actually test drove the magnum today, and looked at the chargers.
sadly, they are ok cars...they didnt blow my skirt up. The v8 has lag, and the suspension is floaty. I was hoping for more.
I actually test drove the magnum today, and looked at the chargers.
sadly, they are ok cars...they didnt blow my skirt up. The v8 has lag, and the suspension is floaty. I was hoping for more.
#17
Senior Moderator
Cool. Having more coupes out there is always good for the coupe buyer...
Waiting till 2009 might not be the greatest idea, as the coupe market might cool down again and there might be increased competition (where's the new Camaro??).
One of the reasons the Mustang is doing so well is that there isn't any "real" competition to it (rwd coupe w/ a v8 for $26K).
Waiting till 2009 might not be the greatest idea, as the coupe market might cool down again and there might be increased competition (where's the new Camaro??).
One of the reasons the Mustang is doing so well is that there isn't any "real" competition to it (rwd coupe w/ a v8 for $26K).
#23
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally Posted by dom
A slimer, better styled and slightly cheaper GTO would have got the job done IMO.
#25
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by gavriil
I think the Camaro is more suited for that job. I think the GTO is fine where it's priced currently and if anything it should go up a little.
Gav, they sell just ovwer 1K GTO's a month at heaviliy discounted prices. While I agree the Camaro is better suited to take on the Mustang the GTO is either too expensive or just too boringly styled to be a sucess. I think its alittle of both.
#26
Safety Car
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gavriil
Isnt that what the Kappa is for?
#28
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Greenlighted
Motor Trend mag is reporting that the Dodge Challenger has been greenlighted for production for MY 2010. It will go right against the Mustang with a 350HP V8 and a 250HP V6, plus possibly an SRT8 6.1L version showing up later. No cabrio planned.
#32
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 46
Posts: 7,083
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dem1K
how fucking retarded...god damn't they're dumb
The Mustang is highly profitable and since the Camaro and Firebird died a number of years ago, it has no true competitor in that space. I think it's a pretty smart idea by Dodge and if they can keep the cost down, it may be very profitable like their other RWD models of late.
#33
Got a Job!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC (NoLita)
Age: 39
Posts: 4,343
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oh, so take 5 take years to come out with a model that is barely up to par with today's standards? The Challenger was Dodge's main MUSCLE car back in the late 60s-early 70s, as well as the Charger. Might as well continue that reign.
#34
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally Posted by biker
Any projection past a couple of MY is meaningless - it could be cancelled anytime between now and then - see GM RWD projections.
BTW the mag also reports that a RWD Pontiac has been greenlighted. THough, all Buicks will remain FWD (I am guessing AWD may be possible also for Buick).
#36
Race Director
Originally Posted by gavriil
BTW the mag also reports that a RWD Pontiac has been greenlighted. THough, all Buicks will remain FWD (I am guessing AWD may be possible also for Buick).
#37
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Rising to the Challenger: Detroit auto show debut for Dodge muscle coupe concept - - By BOB GRITZINGER - - Source: Autoweek
To all those purists who still can’t forgive Dodge for building a four-door Charger, here’s your answer: the 2006 Dodge Challenger concept. The Dodge boys released a sketch of the car to the world, but we obtained these exclusive spy photos of the car, which will premiere at the North American International Auto Show in January in Detroit.
Challenger draws on the 1970 model as the icon of the series, says Tom Tremont of Chrysler’s Pacifica studio in California. But instead of merely recreating that car, designers tried to build the Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye, without imperfections like the tucked under wheels and long front overhang of the old car. At the same time, the concept incorporates distinctive Challenger cues like the rear fender kick, wide mouth front end, functional hood scoops and rectangular exhaust tips.
Built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger chassis (116-inch wheelbase vs. 120 inches), the Challenger gets a 6.1-liter Hemi hooked to a six-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter.
All that’s left to ponder is “will they build it?” With all the hardware in place and a primed marketplace, we can’t see why Dodge wouldn’t rise to this challenge.
Challenger draws on the 1970 model as the icon of the series, says Tom Tremont of Chrysler’s Pacifica studio in California. But instead of merely recreating that car, designers tried to build the Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye, without imperfections like the tucked under wheels and long front overhang of the old car. At the same time, the concept incorporates distinctive Challenger cues like the rear fender kick, wide mouth front end, functional hood scoops and rectangular exhaust tips.
Built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger chassis (116-inch wheelbase vs. 120 inches), the Challenger gets a 6.1-liter Hemi hooked to a six-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter.
All that’s left to ponder is “will they build it?” With all the hardware in place and a primed marketplace, we can’t see why Dodge wouldn’t rise to this challenge.
#38
Safety Car
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's a little to retro. Instead of making it a modern looking version with a bunch of retro design added in to it (like the Mustang), the Chanllenger looks like it's been transported through time. One thing's for sure, though. It'll be a fuckin' best with the 6.1 Hemi and 6sp manual with the pistol grip.