Dodge Challenger is a "GO" according to CEO

Press Release:

Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda today announced that Dodge Challenger will return to production after a nearly 35-year hiatus. The all-new Dodge Challenger will debut as a 2008 model in calendar-year 2008. The announcement was made shortly before the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driving out with the Dodge Challenger was Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour.

he Dodge Challenger made its debut in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model. While it shared the "E-body" platform with the Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger's wheelbase was two inches longer, creating more interior space.

The Dodge Challenger was originally offered as either a two-door hardtop or convertible. And, befitting the brand's performance heritage, the Dodge Challenger also went racing in its first year, competing most notably in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series and National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class.

Although it was produced only from 1970 to 1974, the Dodge Challenger earned a reputation as one of the most desirable of the original "pony cars," with meticulously restored and rare examples today selling for six-figure prices.

In its first year, Dodge Challenger was offered in a limited-edition T/A model to meet homologation requirements for SCCA Trans-Am racing. In 1971, a Dodge Challenger paced the Indianapolis 500 race. New front-end styling in 1972 featured a larger, "egg-crate" grille. In April 1974, Challenger production ceased. Over a five-year span, approximately 188,600 Dodge Challengers were sold.

According to Allpar.com:

One possibility is that the first-year run will be, as many are saying, limited to 10,000 - 15,000 units, all with the 6.1 liter SRT-8 engine; this might be called Challenger SRT-8, though most enthusiasts would prefer the original R/T designation. If the Challenger sold well, and there appeared to be strong demand, and production was flawless - or rapidly fixed - so that the Challenger, Charger, and 300C were all running nicely on the same assembly line, then the second year could see a "base" model with the 5.7 Hemi, whose cylinder deactivation would increase gas mileage; and perhaps a V6 would eventually be seen.

There are rumors that the new 392 Hemi crate engine, designed for racing, will go along with the new Dodge Challenger body. The 392 is apparently a racing-only engine in current form, not a production design, but a lower-power version may well be made for production and appear in the Challenger. The Challenger concept car to be shown at NAIAS (Detroit, January 2006; the Camaro will also be shown) uses, not surprisingly, the SRT-8 6.1 liter engine — but, unlike any current production LX car, it also has a six-speed manual gearbox. (Automobile suggested that the 510 horsepower 6.4 liter 392 Hemi might be used.) There are issues with the 392 - most notably the question of what untrained drivers will do with that much power. A fairly large number of Vipers left this world unexpectedly.

I figured that would happen. With the success of the new mustang,the so-so success of the Charger and the news that camero will debut again it made sense the Challenger would get the go ahead. I'm glad they kept the 70's street look.

So, when's the new Pinto come out?

Quote:

Originally posted by Dagnabbit

I figured that would happen. With the success of the new mustang,the so-so success of the Charger and the news that camero will debut again it made sense the Challenger would get the go ahead. I'm glad they kept the 70's street look.

So, when's the new Pinto come out?

I miss the Pinto ...

There were no doubts in my mind this car would be produced.. I wonder how close they are really gonna get to the concept..Seems to me they really don't need to make any changes.

Quote:

Originally posted by bachiotomy

There were no doubts in my mind this car would be produced.. I wonder how close they are really gonna get to the concept..Seems to me they really don't need to make any changes.

I'm with you. I'd love to see it roll off the line looking exactly like this.

it looks too much like the new mustang!!!
sorry ford beat ya to it!

Yeah it does resemble a mustang but man that thing is smokin'. Would love to be driving one of those around.

Dodge can do no wrong latley..Soo long Jap Kiddie car mania, the American Muscle cars are back!!

i read somewhere that it even has a real functional ram air...

i've seen pics with the hood up somewhere.. i can't remember where at.

it's gonna be kick ass for sure.

i hope they don't change the way it's gonna look in the final production model.


sick!!

I like this car!

any information about the price? cause if they pull what chevy did , with the corvette zo6, charging an obscene amount of money for the faster car , i doubt it takes off as they hope

oooh man, i loove muscle cars

Hot car indeed

Quote:

Originally posted by CJB24

any information about the price? cause if they pull what chevy did , with the corvette zo6, charging an obscene amount of money for the faster car , i doubt it takes off as they hope

The Z06 is a bargain at its price, it’ll blow the doors off are cars that cost twice as much. Now I have a C06 hard top and a 2005 Mustang GT convertible. Both are real tire smokers and look great. Next year though, I want to trade my GT in for a 2007 GT-500, that thing is gonna be a road king if ever there was one.