Dodge Challenger approved for production!
Multiple media sources are reporting that the Dodge Challenger coupe is a go, and that Chrysler will make the official announcement tomorrow at Daytona before this weekend's NASCAR Pepsi 400 Nextel Cup race.
The announcement is coming earlier than expected. Word is that Chrysler will promote Challenger all summer to create buzz (that won't be hard) and drive traffic into its showrooms. This announcement comes the same weekend that the automaker is revealing a new ad campaign and fresh discounts for customers.
The Detroit news reports that the car should be in production by 2008, with a price slightly above that of the current Mustang. Only a V8 will be offered.
The Challenger Concept made its debut at this year's Detroit show, and is powered by a 6.1L 425-horsepower HEMI V8.
Mopar fans, your wish has been granted. Now, let's see if GM holds up its part of the deal and greenlights the Camaro (the pressure to do so will be huge now with the Challenger announcement). As things stand, it looks like the ponycar wars are quickly moving from the show floor to the showroom.
Let the stoplight showdowns begin!
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
The other Bob 10:47AM (6/30/2006)
Slightly more than a Mustang?
I assume they mean a GT. If that's true and they can sell a car with a 425 HP Hemi starting around $25K, they will sell bucket loads of them.
Plus it's got IRS and a 6 speed manual.
Who wants to bet that the base Mustang GT gets a big horsepower boost by the time the Challenger goes on sale?
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JC Whitless 10:54AM (6/30/2006)
As I stated at another website.
I'm saving 30K and will deliver it to whichever domestic automaker gets it done first. GM or DCX.
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Vinny 10:58AM (6/30/2006)
I'm getting one of these and going straight to the customizing shop to get the confederate flag on the roof and Dixie horn! Yeeeeeeee haaaaaaaw!
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DJ 11:00AM (6/30/2006)
Is there any other car on the entire planet with more than 400HP that has a base price under $30K??? The GTO is close at $32K, but anything else?
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JC Whitless 11:02AM (6/30/2006)
I'm getting one of these and going straight to the customizing shop to get the confederate flag on the roof and Dixie horn!
I can hook you up with that....
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Richard Warren 11:04AM (6/30/2006)
Cool!
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Vinny 11:07AM (6/30/2006)
1970's gas prices killed the muscle car era.
2000's gas prices bring them back?
I like muscle cars as much as the next guy but I think it's unfortunate that the big 3 missed the timing on this by about ten years when gas was at $1.38.
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courtstone 11:09AM (6/30/2006)
Vinny...Do you plan on driving your confederate-mobile to your Klan meeting as well?
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RossL 11:17AM (6/30/2006)
> Word is that Chrysler will promote Challenger all summer to create buzz (that won't be hard) and drive traffic into its showrooms
Explain how that works again? Mr. Consumer is so fired up about the 2009 Challenger that he scoots into his local Dodge showroom NOW to buy a 2006 whatsit? Um, wouldn't he (or she) be more likely to sit on his money until the Challenge is available? I mean, if he wanted one of the current models he'd buy one, wouldn't he? Just asking.
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SGV 11:18AM (6/30/2006)
Ja, der Amerikaner Muskelwagen.
Das Krysler Körperschaft is going to hit a brick wall with this porcine monstruosity. The car is ugly and is based in a car that few remembers and even fewer cherish.
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Bob 11:18AM (6/30/2006)
Actually the General Lee was a Charger, not a Challenger.
I guess the four doors took the confederate out of that car?
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Dodge Challenger 11:23AM (6/30/2006)
Finally some competition in the pony car category. The Challenger is going to sell like crazy, in fact, the first ones probably will go above sticker, much like the FJ Cruiser did.
If you're interested in the Dodge Challenger, check out http://www.challengertalk.com
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Christian J 11:25AM (6/30/2006)
Marketing Hype. No WAY they can offer it as cheap as a Mustang GT with the 6.1L. I bet this will be priced where the GTO was, maybe where the 03/04 Cobra was ($35K). I bet more since the SRT-8s are around $40K. I suspect the 5.7L version will be $30K. AT LEAST. I say if you're gonna drop $40K on a musclecar, buy a GT500 in 2008, there will be plenty.
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James Fabin 11:34AM (6/30/2006)
Yeah Haaaaaaaa! (Picture me in an orange Charger jumping a dry lake bed). I've been really impressed with the recent vehicles coming out of Chrysler, and this one is certain to be another big hit. Packed with a great looks and raw power, I wouldn't mind dropping $40k on it (Making it the least expensive, and most powerful car I've purchased since the mid 90's).
Here is a video of the concept vehicle being driven and some feedback from some writers: http://www.cartv.com/content/research/channels/index.cfm/channel/cartv_video/action/showvideo/vcat/Review/vid/r_0199/make/Dodge/MAKE_VCH/Dodge/
James
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Corey W. 11:45AM (6/30/2006)
The key to the muscle car war will be pricing. There's a lot more competition now then there was in the previous muscle car era. And with gas prices still rising... consumers want the best bang for the buck, and any gas mileage savings will be a plus.
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Chris 11:56AM (6/30/2006)
With DCX only making V8 models leaves me to beleive that there will at least be two models. I don't expect to see a 400+ HP car for $35-40 grand but maybe close to 400 HP. I do see however a 400-500 HP car for $50,000 with a big fat R/T badge on it. One thing is for sure, they are not going for volume because they are not making a V6. I just hope that they don't price it wrong like GM did with the last Camaro which was too expensive for a pony car. For just a bit more you could of had a Corvette instead of a Camaro but the next step from a Challenger is a Viper at $80,000+ so they have a bit more room similar to Ford. It will be intersting to see what happens and to see how diffrent the production model will look from the concept.
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loikll 11:57AM (6/30/2006)
What?? It's not going to be a plug-in hybrid flex-fuel vehicle that can run on bacon grease? What's the point of technological advancements if you don' use em?
Hey, Taco Bell should cross-market this with that "Classics Made Modern" geek campaign.
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KT 11:59AM (6/30/2006)
The production version will not be 425hp for a little over Stang money. If it is, and they plan to build as many as the can, they will not sell many SRT's.
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Harry 12:14PM (6/30/2006)
I will be more interested in a Chrysler 300 coupe/convertible version of this shortened platform. Maybe introduce it with the next 300 model. Would be pretty cool.
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Corey W. 12:15PM (6/30/2006)
OK, During the Dukes of Hazards, I was glued to the TV just like everyone else, and this is just a suggestion, but maybe people should think about putting the current Flag and God Bless America, instead of the Confederate Flag and "General Lee" Technically you're wearing the flag of the army that LOST, and it's obvious your not driving the real "General Lee"... making you to be a lame poser.
But... like I said, just a thought...
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