Surprise! Dodge Challenger convertible planned
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Dodge Challenger.
During yesterday's unveiling of the Dodge Challenger, Chrysler's Vice Chairman, Jim Press, confirmed what we've already known; that Dodge expects to sell between 20,000 and 30,000 Challengers a year once production goes full-bore. All 6,400 Collectors Edition SRT8 models due to hit dealers this spring have been sold and there's a waiting list for the 2009 models. Naturally, more variants will be available next year with less powerful engines and a convertible version is supposedly in the works.
According to the Freep, Press expounded on the Challenger's virtues, saying that the SRT8 has a higher top speed (170 mph) than BMW's M5. Kind of a misnomer considering that the M5's speed limiter keeps the BMW sedan below 155 mph – unleashed, it has the potential of doing 205 mph. The Freep also quoted Press as saying that the Challenger has more torque than the Porsche 911 Turbo. Ummm... no. The 6.1-liter Hemi V8 produces 420 lb.-ft. of twist compared to the 911 Turbo's 460 lb.-ft. Maybe he was misquoted (he meant or said 911, not Turbo?), since his next line gave us pause. "When you sit inside, it makes you feel younger and richer than you are." Younger? Maybe. Richer? Not quite Mr. Press. We've seen the interior and it's hardly what you'd call luxurious, let alone exciting.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Seoultrain 3:05PM (2/07/2008)
I'm trying to envision it in my head, and with all the images, half are beautiful, and half are hideous. And maybe as a convertible, they'd do something creative with the interior.
Oh, and Damon/John/Noah/Alex, are we going to hear any rebuttal to that showlopnik nonsense? Or are you being classy and taking the high road? Still, I'm hoping for some autoblog smackdown.
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TwinTurbo3000GT 10:58PM (2/07/2008)
i'm sure it will be great looking, but the best part will be that nice low exhaust note in your ear. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling just imagining it.
geo.stewart 3:06PM (2/07/2008)
well, while some dream of owning a particular car, others dream of selling a car worth dreaming of owning...
such seems to be the case here.
I shouldnt bash since this does have a targeted market of those who cannot find a 70 Challenger in good condition and have to make due with this.
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kc 3:09PM (2/07/2008)
Spoken like a true car salesman
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TriShield 3:33PM (2/07/2008)
2009 model production will apparently start sometime this summer. The 380HP R/T and a V6 base will be added and a six-speed manual will become available.
The SRT8 will get a serious boost with the new 392 HEMI (6.4L) which is currently undergoing emissions certification. 500hp+ is expected as Chrysler's answer to the Shelby Mustangs and the ZL1 Camaro GM has in the works.
I also wouldn't humor a website whose name is ripped off another popular car blog with a response to their attack.
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Damon Lavrinc 3:11PM (2/07/2008)
No comment. :)
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GTX141 3:30PM (2/07/2008)
So what is the vert gonna weigh? 4500lbs?
Pass....
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vintage 3:32PM (2/07/2008)
If the Challenger was about 15% smaller and had a boosted 4 or 6 cylinder, it'd be a huge HUGE hit. Too bad they have a drivetrain that is 40 years out of date.
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Mr. Oak 3:48PM (2/07/2008)
Any particular type of cheese you want to compliment that whine?
The car is what it is take it or leave it.
Not every car on the planet must fit your template of what the "perfect" car is.
Dave 3:42PM (2/07/2008)
I don't care if this car actually goes back in time and appears at the end of the 1/4 mile 5 seconds earlier than it started, it's ugly.
All of these "retro" cars are ugly.
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ksspence84 3:47PM (2/07/2008)
I think it looks perfect the way it is,and a 4 or 6 cylinder engine thats a joke.This car needs a big Hemi nothing else would do.
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vintage 3:54PM (2/07/2008)
Typical moron response.
Anyway, my 1st car was a 68 Charger with a 383 Magnum and hurst 4spd. I bought it with my own money when I was 16, back in 90s. It was a fun car. However, this thing is 40 years newer, and gets about the same performance/mpg that my charger achieved. That is just sad. Musclecars were about shoving the biggest, most advanced engine into a fairly small body, which resulted in ridiculous performance. That is what musclecars WERE all about. Now they just seem to be about outdated gas guzzling engine, RWD only, and in huge, stupid, heavy vehicles.
Ron 3:50PM (2/07/2008)
At the very least, it gets a reaction out of people, which is more than can be said for most of the cars out today.
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Taylor 3:50PM (2/07/2008)
Your the one with the Buick logo.
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ianw33 4:00PM (2/07/2008)
I just cant agree with that statement.
While i would love a TT 6cyl coupe, it just wouldnt fly with this car.
if you havent noticed, the styling is retro, just like the old challenger. And likewise, the people who want to buy this car (mostly middle aged males) want a big v8 in it.
If you thought putting the charger name on a 4 door sedan created backlash, how do you think a 4 cylinder retrostyled challenger would do?
I love turbocharged cars, so i agree that dodge needs a car with a turbo set up (4 or 6 cyl) in a car more upscale than the caliber, but the challenger would not be the correct application
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Dave 3:53PM (2/07/2008)
Yeah, it gets a reaction out of people. I'll give you that. I just wish that car companies would make new head-turning designs. Not just rehash old ones.
And the Mustang is getting so popular that seeing it on the road isn't even a big deal anymore.
Maybe I'm just bitter because the Mustang ruined KITT. =P
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vintage 3:55PM (2/07/2008)
You're.
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jgp 4:01PM (2/07/2008)
If the convertible has a hardtop, this'll be a fine substitute for the pillarless concept car. Just leave the top up and pretend it's a pillarless coupe. Works for me.
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TriShield 4:05PM (2/07/2008)
Dave, you cannot make a Challenger that looks nothing like a Challenger. Or a Mini that looks nothing like a Mini. Or a Beetle that looks nothing like a Beetle. Or a Jeep that looks nothing like the WWII original. All of these vehicles have signature looks unlike anything else out there and it's a huge part of what made them popular.
People wanted a real Dodge Challenger complete with it's iconic and timeless styling, true to it's heritage. If anything it will stand out more today among our sea of turd-shaped, dull-colored disposable cars than the originals did in their day. Ask GM how well the GTO-that-looked-nothing-like-a-GTO experiment went.
Sine you have a trishield graphic I'll also say that if GM ever resurrects the GNX it should look like the sinister original too. As a former GN owner I wouldn't have it any other way.
P.S. - Two Challenger videos surfaced on YouTube, there's some good hooning action.
Debut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNrLFiAh_a4
Passion Meets Passion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQEG-H_DNwM
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nk 4:36PM (2/07/2008)
the hemi is a great engine for this car but i think that this engine would be a good fit too http://www.allpar.com/mopar/la4.html
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