Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show
More details on Dodge Challenger Concept
If we told you where we heard it, we'd have to kill you. We've scrounged up some more details on the Dodge Challenger concept to be unveiled in Detroit this January, and we're pleased to report that the vehicle will be a delicious blend of old and new, with a four-gauge instrument panel and an abundance of carbon fiber, along with the previously reported pistol-grip shifter. The four-gauge instrument panel and pistol-grip shifter were trademarks of the original Challenger models.
Oh, and lest you worry your pretty little heads, it's been confirmed that we should expect some mad horsepower.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tariq 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
YAAAAAAYYYY!!!
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stewie's sexy parties 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
but... does it come with a mullet?
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Dr. Woo 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
But no production plans. Boo.
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Chris Meisenzahl 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
This looks great, would be great to see one on the road, with a pistol-grip shifter. ;-)
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
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kevin 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
i'll start saving my pennies right now. lavender with black stripes please!
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jwhite 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Don't worry, there are production plans. This car may not have all the carbon fiber treatments in production but that exterior shape is likely VERY CLOSE.
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G. Snyder 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
#2 - wrong decade. I do like your name though!
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Hemidakota 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
There are several problamatic issues to overcome when the car does arrive at the dealership:
1) MSRP versus limited production numbers
2) SRT will come six months after the fact.
3) A stripped version for a bottom end will
be hard tocome by since my dealership will pre-order the hypo version for a quick kill on higher sales.
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Steve 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Let the pony war continue... without GM.
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sr20de 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
The American auto industry is just like Hollywood: they can't come up with any unique ideas so they keep redoing old ideas.
Great innovation! What a joke!
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Admin 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I have heard rumors of a a 329 HEMI crate with over 500 horsepower and a six speed manual trans. Wait and see I guess
Admin
Challenger Forums
http://www.challengerforums.com
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J T 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Hey, say what you want, I think it's an awesome idea. I think it would even be more poetic if this car beats the supposed "new" 5th gen Camaro to the market.
See this, GM? Let this be a lesson to you. Go ahead and shroud plans for your new Camaro in absolute secrecy while Chrysler, meanwhile, comes up with its own pony car, isn't afraid to show the world a prototype and generate interest. So just keep your empty, lame "keep the faith" promises... I see where my next possible purchase is, and it's right here - where I can actually SEE IT.
Well done, Chrysler. Build this and I'll buy it.
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ap 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I think American car companies build retro-styled cars because there are enough buyers who will buy them. The new Mustang sold well, so Chrysler and GM want one, too. Even the PT was successful...for a while.
And hey, why do a completely different style just so it's different when you have perfectly good designs from the past that will appeal to the older generation that remembers it and to the younger generation that have never seen it before.
Look at Porsche. They never really changed the styles of their cars through the years, just made them look more modern.
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jwhite 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
#11, That would be a 392 HEMI not a 329 Hemi. In it's current crate form, it's a race only motor. It would likely need to be retuned for emissions and reliablity.
Sources say the 5.7 and 6.1 HEMI's will both be availible at a VERY competitive MSRP. A new 4.0L V6 is also likely. A 6 Speed is also a go.
MPH magazine's leaked February cover story on the car says $28K for the 6.1 HEMI. That bodes well for the other versions. The 6.1L may NOT be the SRT version ...... That badging may be saved for something even more potent. The "concept" has the 425 HP 6.1 Hemi with "R/T" badging leading many to guess the SRT version will indeed get even more teeth.
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Tankstelle 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Honestly, you could put that 6.1L HEMI in anything, price it at below $40k and sell it. Fortunately consumers of american vehicles don't care if their car wobbles on turns like a rowboat in a hurricane. They just want to go fast in a straight line and to sound mean.
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no manual 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Look, enough with the manny.
The way automatic transmission can be built today, theres just no reason for manual, besides being a pain in the ass. Thats why less than 10% of cars are sold with it, and they are starting to phase it out.
Its a REMAKE, at least make it an UPGRADE. Who are they targetting with this, 50 year olds who drove the original Challenger in the 60's?
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J T 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Well not to split hairs, but the original Challenger came out in the 70s, not the 60s.
And sure, most automatics these days will keep up with manual transmissions as far as outright power goes (and in some cases they can be a little quicker), but that's not the point. Some still like a manual because they like having more control over their car than an automatic can provide (plus it's alot more fun to some people). And a manual in most cases will still give you better MPG over an automatic - something that can't be taken lightly in light of today's gas prices.
And who are they targeting with this car? I'm guessing alot of Camaro and Firebird owners who are still feeling alienated by GM and are longing for something new and wouldn't be caught dead in a Mustang. And if one of these people happens to be a 50 year old former Challenger owner wishes to relive some old glory... why deprive them?
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Adam H. 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
#15, Tankstelle,
Perhap's you haven't been reading to much on Autoblog lately. That or you've already forgetten how fast around the Charger SRT-8 (on which the Challenger is somewhat based) laps Gratten raceway.
I'll refresh your memory with a little snippet:
BMW M5 - 1:31.25
Mercedes CLS55 AMG - 1:32.55
Dodge Charger SRT8 - 1:32.65
Cadillac STS-V - 1.33.55
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000477070908/
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Jesophat Hesophat 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I found another picture of the Dodge Challenger. It's one of the official pictures taken from the photoshoot that you guys saw in the other autoblog/TCC spy shot.
http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=big28tl.jpg
Jesophat Hesophat is signing out.
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georgejetson 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Automatic transmissions are for wussies who can't be bothered to learn to drive a car properly.
And for minivans.
Grow up and learn to drive, ya lazy bums.
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