Spy Shots: 2009 Dodge Challenger test mule spied again
by Merritt Johnson on Oct 19th 2007 at 5:26PM 
A two-tone 2009 Dodge Challenger was spotted in Detroit earlier this month, but it was all the way back in August when we brought you shots of this all-black Challenger. That car hasn't been spotted cruising around the streets of Detroit in a while, the reason being is that it's no longer in the vicinity of Detroit. Recently the car was spotted far from home at Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort in Valley Center, located in sunny San Diego, California. The casino is conveniently situated near Mt. Palomar, which is home to San Diego's finest mountain pass. We can only assume that the folks from Chrysler were flogging the camo-clad Challenger around the mountain road. Testing was certainly in progress during this sighting, as it was closely followed by Dodge chase vehicles complete with roof antennas. Could this mean that the Challenger will be aimed at handling the twisties as well as the straights? Let us hope it won't be plagued with extreme understeer like its predecessors.
[Photos: Tam To]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iamhoff 5:43PM (10/19/2007)
Living here in San Diego, I know how sweet the road up Palomar is, and I know that testing and press rides take place up there. Now I have another excuse to go to Harrahs...poker (I miss Card Squad) and watching for the test mules.
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zapperdude60 5:51PM (10/19/2007)
why are the two cars behind it both dodges?
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Brett- BMW Advocate 5:56PM (10/19/2007)
Dodge uses Dodges to travel with?
by the by, why are there sooo many test mules? i mean give us the finished product already, im tired of reading about em and looking at pictures online.
Dont get me wrong I love looking at them on AutoBlog.com ;)
R Scott 6:16PM (10/19/2007)
this car is cool. but one thing i don't get, and if someone would be nice enough to explain this to me, is that this car is going to be built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. then why doesn't even report seeing it there? am just curious, cause i live there and never heard of it being tested around there. are there better roads in Detroit...
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Robert 6:26PM (10/19/2007)
They're still trying to disguise a car that everyone has seen a million times on every automotive Web site?
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naggs 7:10PM (10/19/2007)
yeah, what is the point?
MGBYG 6:35PM (10/19/2007)
Ya, so Chrysler hates phone cams... but loves the constant & free publicity.
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Matt 7:38PM (10/19/2007)
I almost *expect* it to be plagued with understeer. It IS a Dodge...
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Dodge Challenger 8:28PM (10/19/2007)
I think we need to see a totally un-camo'ed version. After all, its already out in the open on other picture caps..
http://www.challengertalk.com
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iQuack 12:14AM (10/20/2007)
This boring POS has been around the block--first in the early 1970's, and now in a new costly, bloated version that everyone has already seen (damn thing was parked on Nob Hill in an auto show a few years ago!).
A few "gotta-have-it" guys will overpay for this thing, then sales will drop as dealers' lots fill up with redundant Challenger iron.
If you must buy one of these clunkers, at least be smart enough to wait a few months following introduction when you'll get on on the cheap.
Cerberus should concentrate on fixing volume cars like Sebring and Avenger. The Challenger is an unfortunate distraction IMO.
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mike 12:50PM (10/20/2007)
This is what you get from the Auto-Oil-Industry. The Arctic has already lost 25% of it's snow cover, and yet the American Auto Industry is still trying to pump out Ultra-Guzzlers.
Guys, I understand your addiction to the adrenalin rush you get from acceleration, but now there's something more important to solve then your need for speed. Al's prognostications were UNDERSTATEMENTS. Things globally environmentally are changing rapidly. Now is not the time to be pumping up horsepower for your short term benefit when there's OUR long term survival at stake.
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RJ 2:42PM (10/20/2007)
Retro styled cars are cool, but i still think Dodge took it too far with this Challenger-saurus.
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christian 10:23PM (10/22/2007)
I'm also confused why they're still trying to cover this thing up and play hide & seek. We've all seen this thing a thousand times...heck...we'll start getting them at the dealers in February...albeit only about 6000 are going to be made for 2008, but they'll be out in 3 months...drop the camo act already.
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