2door Challenger Return

[Koll]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/13/Auto...nger/index.htm

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - It's starting to look like the muscle car wars of the late 1960s are coming back for real. Following this year's introduction of the Dodge Charger, the next muscle car name to be resurrected will be the Dodge Challenger, according to a report in the industry weekly Automotive News.

The Challenger will be based on the same platform as the Charger, which shares its mechanical underpinnings with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Magnum wagon, according to the report. The newspaper cites industry sources including outside analysts familiar with the development program.

No-one with Chrysler Group, the division of DaimlerChrysler responsible for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. would talk about the program, Automotive News said.

Unlike the Charger, the Challenger will be a two-door car, according to the report. That would put it in direct competition with the recently redesigned Ford Mustang and the Pontiac GTO. The current Charger has four doors.

Like the Charger, 300 and Magnum, the Challenger will be available with an optional V8 "Hemi" engine, Automotive News said.

When it was originally introduced for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was a small "Pony Car" competitor to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

The car is scheduled to be introduced in 2009, Automotive News said. The report said the company expects to sell 60,000 to 70,000 Challengers a year.

[foff667]

[SteveR]

I can't wait to see that. BTW, have you guys seen the new Charger Daytona?

[Untamed]

With gas and insurance costs the way they are now, trending higher each year, I see Dodge making their 60-70k Challengers a year if the current selection of performance cars remains the same: Corvette, Mustang, Charger, GTO. With the import craze continuing, and smaller SS-type cars satisfying both the performance and practicality issues, any more new pony cars will seriously cut into Dodges expectations.

Having said that though, I would still like to see their take on a new Challenger, and see the release of a new Camaro-like car from GM. Price them like a Mustang and they'll sell.

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by SteveR

BTW, have you guys seen the new Charger Daytona?

You mean this thing:

http://www.allpar.com/model/images/charger/daytonas.jpg

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

HAHA Allpar owns you

Anyway, LX is too big and too bulky to make a correct pony car. What we will get is a big bulky looking thing.
If we get a 2dr coupe from Chrysler...I'm gunna bet its gunna be FWD and packing V6 power, much like the Eclipse.

[MapleRed]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

HAHA Allpar owns you

Anyway, LX is too big and too bulky to make a correct pony car. What we will get is a big bulky looking thing.
If we get a 2dr coupe from Chrysler...I'm gunna bet its gunna be FWD and packing V6 power, much like the Eclipse.

That would suck if its FWD w/ a V6. If I wanted an Eclipse, I'd buy an Eclipse.

It would be nice to see three pony cars on the market. The current Stang, one from Chrysler and one from Chevy. Three good choices.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by Untamed

....and see the release of a new Camaro-like car from GM. Price them like a Mustang and they'll sell.

They were priced like a Mustang for the 90's....didnt see much sales success there.

[Untamed]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

They were priced like a Mustang for the 90's....didnt see much sales success there.

The baby boomers are retiring now, hence the resurgance in throw-backs. With most of them in the late 50's through late 60's now, they have the time, money and will to purchase impractical cars. IMO 2009 will be too late. They'll only catch the tail end of the retirement buying.

Besides, the 90's were all about SUVs and Minivans.

[enRo]

I wanna see a GnX

[SteveR]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

You mean this thing:



- Justin

Yea, that's it. Doesn't quite look as good in that pic as it did on Speed Channel the other day. They had Kasey Kane driving one around on a track and it looked pretty good there.

[jims69camaro]

Originally Posted by Untamed

The baby boomers are retiring now, hence the resurgance in throw-backs. With most of them in the late 50's through late 60's now

duuuude, that demographic is much larger than you realize. the BBs were from 1946 through 1964 (i'm a tail-ender 8)), which means just the very beginning Boomers have retired or are retiring... there are MANY more to come. 2009 is not too late, it would still see the infancy of the Boomers retiring...

what has drawn the throw-backs, as you call them (i just call them cool), is that MEN that grew up with these cars now have 6 figure jobs, the requisite wife (or just now divorced) and the 2.5 kids. they might not have a whole lot of discretionary income, but they do spend it. it's not that hard of an argument with the wife that your daily transportation lease is up and you want a muscle car. she's already got the minivan or the SUV or whatever soccer moms are driving now, so he can have his cake and eat it too.

[GR8Z28]

They all ready have a Daytona version of the 1500 ram pickup
with the big spoiler!!

[Scorched SS]

And once again GM is stuck showing nothing...

I NEED some sort of announcement - not allusion to or promises of - I want some proof that the f-body is on its way back.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK GM???????