Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Dodge, Rumormill
Sorry, Dodge isn't doing a Challenger Convertible
In a recent post about the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, KickingTires quotes director of Dodge brand marketing, Mike Accavitti, saying that there will be no convertible version of the reborn muscle car in Dodge showrooms. Apparently the platform would require too much additional hardware to handle the extra flex from cutting the roof off, and the added weight would push the car too far into the Sumo class. And that would be with just a simple manual soft-top, not one of them there new-fangled retractable hardtops that are the top du jour for convertible buyers. There's also the issue of cost and the fact that Dodge's market analysis seems to indicate there isn't a huge market for them. We understand the reasoning and know that even the coupes are going to be low-volume, but we would humbly like to suggest a limited run of SRT-8 convertibles at double the coupe's asking price. Say 20 or so. Buyers will pay twice the sticker price at least and mothball them immediately so they can be exhumed in 2050 and be the '71 Hemi 'Cuda convertible equivalents of their day.
[Source: KickingTires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 2:37PM (10/08/2008)
dumbest move ever.
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TriShield 2:40PM (10/08/2008)
I'd be much more interested in seeing a Viper-powered, 610hp, Challenger SRT10 released than a convertible. It's just the thing Chrysler needs to take the shine of the Mustang GT500 and upcoming ZR1-engined Camaro Z28.
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Red 3:09PM (10/08/2008)
But not what they need to be profitable. The convertible wouldn't bring them back into the black either, but it's a better business decision than a Viper-powered version, considering they're trying to figure out what to do with the Viper anyway.
What I don't understand why they didn't just engineer the car from the ground up for a convertible variant. I hear this reason all the time, but still I digress.
I'm not a convertible person by the way. Just curious to know.
withheld 4:31PM (10/08/2008)
There is a mule roaming around Auburn Hills that has a V10 in it. Look for the quad pipes and the shaker hood.
Judy Zik 4:22PM (10/08/2008)
@Red
Probably because the platform isn't new. All they did was stretch the LX platform from the 300, Magnum and Charger. Had they created a platform from scratch for a Sports Coupe then they probably would have made allowances for a convertible.
Serge K. 2:41PM (10/08/2008)
I cannot get over the fact how ugly and outdated this "car" is! What sells it?
Efficient, powerful, yet fuel-sipping engine? No.
Maybe some kind of engineering breakthrough, first in the industry, anything ingenious? Big NO!
Wait, I know! It's the "days of yore" sentiment, when the cars were big and powerful and gasoline cost less than a water. I'm sure entire batch of 11 cars will sell in like a year, and those few stoops will be "GIT'R'DONE" happy, YEEEEHAAWWWW!
Idiots....
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amdfan12 2:53PM (10/08/2008)
You know chrysler had 5000 pre orders for the 08 challengers? I
who cares if this car is not a break through engineering. Dodge really pulled off the modern retro look with this car perfectly. There are NO other modern cars like it. Its also a fairly well rated car. Reviewers and customers seem to like it a lot.
AutoXN 3:34PM (10/08/2008)
45% of America is going to vote Republican but that doesn't make it right.
I saw a Challenger SE the other day and wondered who would buy such a car. I wasn't even that impressed with the SRT and there are far better choices to look "cool" for $50,000.
MajorGeek 4:02PM (10/08/2008)
Funny that one or two haters comes to every thread. I usually ignore most cares I hate when I can. That said, my car still draws huge looks (just came back in from a ride) and people stop to see it, so I assume your the minority. What people like is the design, no my bad, they LOVE it. You seem to be expecting a perfect car, its a wonderful car, but nothing is perfect. Frankly, the weight and size comes up, but it is a huge engine and onpar with many high performance cars.
John 4:30PM (10/08/2008)
You give truth to the saying: "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"
John 4:32PM (10/08/2008)
And AutoXN: Keep your useless political commentaries to yourself. If you feel compelled to talk about politics do it somewhere else.
G-Meister 4:33PM (10/08/2008)
AutoXN- a LOADED SRT8 is 45k. And for 45 grand, not much else is this cool.
BTW, an RT gets better mileage than a Mustang GT.
AutoXN 4:49PM (10/08/2008)
John and MajorGeek, oh the hostility... how old are you? You two must be Republican as you wage war on anyone who doesn't agree with you.
There is always a greater fool. ;)
Zeus.:God 5:07PM (10/08/2008)
Auto, chances are they're older than you with the way you talk.
Your immaturity really shines through when you consider all republicans to just be "wrong", and being a republican to be bad.
You're such a fool.
JF 5:29PM (10/08/2008)
Serge K. You need to get over your stereotypes that v8 = gas guzzler always.
"Efficient, powerful, yet fuel-sipping engine? No."
Actually the 5.7 hemi v8 IS powerful yet fuel-sipping compared to any other 375 engine out there. What other 4,000 lb car with 375 hp gets 16/25?
Andre 2:48PM (10/08/2008)
Yeah, Let's keep it that way, Challenger does not look good at all as a convertible...
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B-NOIT 3:18PM (10/08/2008)
I say this is a good move on Chrysler's part.
They need to get over their obsession with big cars and trucks and sink their budgeted teeth into world-class A-, B- and C-segment cars before they can even think about seeing some black on the bottom line in the next decade.
Besides, who needs another gas-guzzling overweight convertible?
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Schen 4:16PM (10/08/2008)
Agreed, and for the most part if people wanted to have a convert conversion there are companies that will do it. So in a sense Chrysler is helping out the smaller businesses....
But that's not why I'm replying...I'm replying in comment about if the Challenger was a convertible it be gas-guzzling and overweight. I'm sick and tired of reading the LX/LY segment sucks because of the ludicrous comments making them dramatically, world ending, gas sucking overweight cars.
Now let's think for a minute ok? Think real deep. The average, still sane, non-anal about going green car buyer is going to want a car with a sense of style. Just look at the Autoblog post on "People attracted to cars with angry faces", it's the weirdest title for anything I've ever read, YET, there was no talk about gas, prices of the vehicles, or the speed of the vehicles. All those things are secondary comparisons.
I own a 07' Magnum SXT. Yes it has a 3.5L V6 making 250hp, yes it's certainly alot heavier than my last car, BUT, still everyone asks me if it "guzzles gas". (I couldn't find an R/T in my price range, had I did I would have a Hemi) The answer is no. I took the car this year down to Florida (900 mile trip mind you) and managed, with a full trunk, half a back seat and two other people, 25-27 MPG while doing speeds of 70-80 mph. I also managed to stop for gas only 3 times, saving me about $50 in gas both ways. I'm not one to care about gas or how much I use (since every now and then I do like to take the car to the track) but for an "overweight" car and then some putting out numbers like those, I'd be impressed.
I really don't care how slow it is, (I've ran 15.5's stock, in cold weather, half a tank and now love bracket racing), how much gas it "guzzles" or what kind of motor it has. I enjoy my car and will continue to enjoy it. I realize there are always going to be fanboys (or girls) and critics that hate this and hate that just because it's not their way and I won't lie I do it too (Lamborghini Estoque). Look just....Go for a drive, go clean your car, go make out with your girlfriend in the backseat if there is one, go on a cruise, go to the track, do some autocross, drag racing, drifting, go to car shows, go build a car, go fix a motor. Just appreciate and learn something before the planet explodes.
--RS
B-NOIT 8:53AM (10/09/2008)
Point taken, and I am of the same opinion as far as enjoying a good drive goes - I didn't mean to come off as a snobby 'greenie'.
I'm just more of a smaller-turbocharged-engine-in-a-lighter-car type of guy. My Jetta 2.0T consumes less gas than my previous Mazda3 and has an extra 50hp to boot, and you can definitely feel it. Nobody really *needs* much more power than what the 2.0T offers (IMO), but larger and heavier cars do need the extra power for better performance. I just think it's excessive and unnecessary, but that may just be my liberal Canadian ways taking hold of me. Bigger isn't better, damnit!
Frylock350 10:42AM (10/09/2008)
@RS,
I've driven a rental Charger SXT and I really liked the vehicle. Very smooth ride for a unibody vehicle, and the interior was comforable and quiet. If the Magnum R/T had a respectable towing capacity I probably would have bought one over my Suburban.
I also love the assumption that any larger car must guzzle gas. My Roadmaster Wagon (LT1 powered) does ~26mpg on the highway going 70. That's not bad for a vehicle with more cargo space and towing capacity than ANY car/wagon sold today. The reason I had to buy an SUV is because the Roadmaster and its ilk are gone.
Also: my vehicle has TWO backseats to choose from for make-out purposes :)
@B-NOIT
I'm the polar opposite, I can't stand turbo motors. The power delivery isn't smooth, the turbo sounds themselves are absurdly loud and obnoxious, they eat premium fuel, they require that idle cool-down period, etc (most of my experience comes from an 06 STi and a 03 (I think at least) GTI). The VAG 2.0T itself is a pretty inefficient turbo motor compared to its competition. GM's LNF 2.0T Ecotec is more effcient and more powerful.
Everyone should drive what they like. I don't care for small vehicles with high-strung engines, but if that's what you like then by all means. I like big RWD soft-riding BOF vehicles with torquey motors. I liked them long before SUVs became popular (I've always owned big GM wagons and Chevy/Ford pickups) and I'll continue to like them afterwards. It just so happens (and sucks) that Suburban's about the only choice I have. Smaller isn't better either dammit!