Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Dodge
Reader Spy II: Production Dodge Challenger
by John Neff on Jan 15th 2008 at 3:41PM 
click above to view more ready spy shots of the Dodge Challenger
A few days ago we showed you a single spy pic sent in by a reader of a what we think is a production Dodge Challenger out driving in the rain. Fellow Autoblog reader Brian G. saw the shot and sent us his own. These four images also show the rear of the car, though in some cases much more clearly. The bar of light bulbs on the rear that makes up the taillight assembly certainly doesn't look like the concept's, so we're still of the mind that this car is a pre-production prototype and not what we saw spinning on stage in 2006. Don't take our word for it, click here to view the gallery and make up your own mind. It's not long now anyway until the car is unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in early February. Thanks, Brian!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Godzilla 3:52PM (1/15/2008)
Urgalee.
Backward design.
I don't get it.
GT-R rulez.
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Frylock350 3:58PM (1/15/2008)
Its supposed to look old, that's its allure. Its not for everybody, but those who like old cars are now in heaven.
GT-R is a $60k car and this is a $40k at the top. Not entirely comparable. They produce similar HP anyways :).
David(Postal) 4:09PM (1/15/2008)
I hope the above post is some kind of joke because it made me laugh. In a way I agree though the Challenger is pretty cool looking but the GT-R has better styling
Matt Keller 4:16PM (1/15/2008)
What.
The.
F***.
Godzilla, your coat is by the door.
Mr. Oak 4:36PM (1/15/2008)
I really admired the GT-R until I came across idiots like you. No one cares, just another POS Nissan that will fall apart if pushed.
Sure people will buy the pieces of crap, just like the bought the 300 ZX etc. Where are they now? rotting in some junkyard. As soon as you start getting the repair bills for the GT-R, you too will run from it.
Every car truck or bus that get posted here, you must compare to the GT-R. Idiot. It'll be junk in three years.
Tricky dicky 4:39PM (1/15/2008)
price check on homosexual nutswingers.
Take your erotic haikus elsewhere GODZIRRA.
The challenger will live up to all the hype of the concept. great news for detroit.
Duncan 7:03PM (1/15/2008)
Is it impossible to like both cars for what they are? The GT-R is a technological wonder that I would buy in a heartbeat over a 911 Turbo. Likewise, the Challenger represents a classic era in automotive history but is tuned and engineered to be a world-class competitor in the modern era.
I've grown up in what could be called the "tuner" era, but my passion for performance is strong enough that I can even appreciate cars like the '51 Hudson Hornet or '63 Corvette for their relative merits. No, not every car can be a NISMO R34, but most don't need to be that hardcore for everyday driving. The Challenger is one such car.
I'm not saying you have to like the Challenger - and besides, it hasn't even come out yet! You could at least grow up a bit and broaden your horizons before making baseless flame-bait comments.
Rant over, sorry.
WillDaThrill 7:33PM (1/15/2008)
Even Tricky Dicky got to post a homosexual slam on here! When I do my post gets removed. Someone at Autoblog hates me ;(
Frylock350 4:00PM (1/15/2008)
Does anybody know if the Ram's new 380hp 5.7L Hemi will make it into this car's R/T trim level? The SRT8 is too $$ for my blood, but a $30-$35k 380hp R/T would keep me out of an LS3 Camaro.
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boostedvan 5:10PM (1/15/2008)
The 5.7 from the 09 Ram will be in the new Challenger for 09, however only the automatic will have MDS, the 6 speed manual doesnt come so equipped. Im sure anything that has a HEMI in 2009 will get the 380 horse version.
Axis 4:24PM (1/15/2008)
Ahh man i hope one day i'll own one of these...for now i'll be happy eating it's dust with my 4 can car.
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voz 4:25PM (1/15/2008)
I like the look and it looks a lot more like the concept then the camaro does. It's a hot car. But this pictures are not very good it obvious that they had a hard time getting a good picture of it. Doesn't matter we'll be seeing it soon enough. This car can't be compared to a 70,000 dollar sports car sorry. GT-R ain't for everyone and either is this car. To eaches own.
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Big J 4:27PM (1/15/2008)
I understand that it is supposed to have a retro look but it seems like it's out of the 70's and smoothed out, something people stopped buying thirty years ago. It looks old. The Camaro is a modernized version and looks new, something I would buy now in 2008 (I will not begin to discuss how it should be out now and not 2010 or whenever they plan on releasing it) but the Challenger is an old car with some newer styling whereas the Camaro is a modern car with classic styling (despise the dash/interior though). Wasn't the full single tail light across the back already done and gone twenty years ago? Just doesn't do it for me.
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MemphisNET 5:05PM (1/15/2008)
The only reason people stopped buying them was because they stopped making them. Oh and a down turn in the economy, rising insurance, oil troubles - the Challenger came late to the party - but what a splash.
It is an amazing vehicle in its own right. Just as any so called 'modern' car is.
J. D. Billiford 4:35PM (1/15/2008)
>>> On a sidebar topic, a person at the dealership where I get my vehicled service told me during the course of our conversation that Dodge was planning to release a special limited edition, limited number, two-door version of the Charger.
I immediately of course thought he was referring to the Challenger but just called the car Charger by mistake. But he said he knew the difference between the two and insisted it was the Charger.
With the introduction of the Challenger it wouldn't seem to make sense. But I suppose anything is possible. And I know folks have been clamoring for a two-door edition of the new Charger since it was first introduced.
I've made a sweep on the Internet trying to either confirm or deny the rumor, but came up with an empty basket. Has anyone else heard or seen any information on this subject?
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Mike 4:51PM (1/15/2008)
Absolutely not in the cards. If you peruse the Allpar forums, you will find a post regarding future model production codes and launch dates. This, is without a doubt, total BS.
More on topic, that appears to be a R/T trim level... not base or SRT
Xcountryflyer 4:51PM (1/15/2008)
Overpriced like a loaded EVO and STI.
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MemphisNET 5:01PM (1/15/2008)
Now that all the children have stopped posting...
The 5.7 will show up in the '09 Challenger R/T. It should have at least 380/404. And will probably ring in around the Charger R/T's price - maybe a grand or more because of the lower production numbers. However it may have even more power on top. The current Chargers 5.7 does 340/390 vs the 03-07's RAM 5.7 which does 345/375.
Second. Styling is subjective, but comparing a Japanese Sports car to an American Muscle car is completely rediculous. The GTR is supposed to be a tech-tour-de-force (and good look buying one kids, let alone being able to afford to fix it). The Dodge is a down and dirty muscle car for those who want a cheap thrill and style. And after dealermarkup, on both cars for that matter - it will still be half the price.
The 'my dad can beat up your dad' mentality around here is just stupid sometimes. I was hoping there would be a proper forum for Autoblog one day, but threads like this make me feel otherwise.
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TriShield 5:38PM (1/15/2008)
We should all see the production car before the official unveiling when Barrett-Jackson auctions the first one this coming Saturday. Along with the first Corvette ZR1 and Mustang GT500KR.
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Duncan 7:08PM (1/15/2008)
Unless they decide to auction off a car with a cover over it, which would be ridiculous - but not impossible, at least judging by Barrett-Jackson's past practice.
Remember that the "GT500" being sold as the first production car was still a pre-production prototype, not fully representative of the actual car except in style. Personally, I wouldn't spend a million dollars on a car that was merely "representative" of the one I'd actually get, but then I'm not blessed with a million dollars either.