Dodge Challenger caught showing EVERYTHING

[CJ]

I was thinking more of what if they decide to start producing in quantity, like the Mustang.

It's a relatively limited production vehicle.

[Nethead]

First, they cut first-year Challenger production from 30,000 units to 5,000 units. Now, the Hemi gets a hard look by the Board of Directors.  This can't be good...

It looks like the Hemi engine, an icon for the Chrysler Corporation, won't be included in forthcoming applications due to changing fuel economy standards. Rising gas prices have already hurt sales of vehicles featuring these engines, causing Chrysler to cut back production. Now co-president Jim Press has declared, "The Hemi is not the powertrain of the future." Similar to the direction taken by GM, Chrysler is banking on newly developed V6 powerplants to take the reigns from current V8 options. These Phoenix engines are scheduled to hit production in 2009.

The Hemi engine's downfall is its inability to adapt to features proven to increase efficiency. The large combustion chamber design and dual valve structure leads to blow-by of unburned fuel, thus producing large levels of undesired emissions. The use of dual spark plugs has improved burn in the hemispherical combustion chamber, however, it's a solution that increased cost and complexity. More modern and efficient chamber structures, unlike the Hemi, can fit four valves and utilize dual overhead camshafts. Chrysler plans to implement these features into their future V6 engines, along with cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

[SVT666]

I don't remember first year production ever beibg anything but 5000 (which was recently increased to 6500+).

[Nethead]

I don't remember first year production ever beibg anything but 5000 (which was recently increased to 6500+).

At whatever car show it was that marked the first public display of the Challenger concept, Chrysler dudes--officially DCX dudes at that time--said the production goals for the first two years was 20,000--30,000 per year, and then they would re-assess the annual production figure for the third year and following years.  The 20,000--30,000 per year figure was dropped to 5,000 per year by the current owners shortly after they took over.  But back at that time the target sticker price was $30,000, per those same dudes.  I got that info from the autoshow website article about the Challenger concept--the article may still be out there on whatever autoshow website had the article. A general Google might pull it up, unless it has been archived by now--wasn't the concept touring the autoshow rotundas two years ago already?  Seems like longer...

[FordSVT]

I will back Nethead up on this, I remember them saying 20-30,000 initial units quite clearly.

[Nethead]

I will back Nethead up on this, I remember them saying 20-30,000 initial units quite clearly.

And the Nethead here will back up SVTDude on this--at the time, initial sales of 20,000--30,000 units per year seemed quite reasonable for a $30,000 vehicle, and re-assessing the market after two years seemed exceptionally prudent as well.

A lot has changed at Chrysler since then...

[NomisR]

You know, the design on the Challenger would look really dated after a year of it's release after it's novelty wears off, just like the Mustang.  I think the Camaro has a more lasting look because it was retro for styling cues but it has a lot more modern feel to it than the Mustang and Challenger. 

Plus, the Challenger looks, fat..

[Raza]

You know, the design on the Challenger would look really dated after a year of it's release after it's novelty wears off, just like the Mustang.  I think the Camaro has a more lasting look because it was retro for styling cues but it has a lot more modern feel to it than the Mustang and Challenger. 

Plus, the Challenger looks, fat..

Honestly, I really dislike the upcoming Camaro, and think the current Mustang and soon-to-be-released Challenger look much, much better.

[2o6]

Thing is, the Mustang and Camaro will likely outhandle and outaccelerate the Challenger.




I think all three are ugly.

[Raza]

Thing is, the Mustang and Camaro will likely outhandle and outaccelerate the Challenger.

Basis for your assumption?

[2o6]

Basis for your assumption?

The Challenger is LX car based. The camaro isn't going to be too much lighter (Zeta Based) but the mustang I think is unique. (For now)

[NomisR]

None of them are a beauty, I prefer the original car's looks over the modern versions

Found a picture of this for the Camaro that looked pretty good though, looks like a mix w/ a vette? 




PS.  I'm doing this from a remote desktop and everything is b&w might look ugly in color

[Raza]

The Challenger is LX car based. The camaro isn't going to be too much lighter (Zeta Based) but the mustang I think is unique. (For now)

The Challenger is on the LY platform, which has its beginnings in the LX platform, sure.  But as I recall, the Mustang's platform is a distant relative of the Lincoln LS and Thunderbird.  Doesn't mean it handles like those two cars. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

The Challenger is LX car based. The camaro isn't going to be too much lighter (Zeta Based) but the mustang I think is unique. (For now)

The Mustang's platform is heavily based on the 1911 Model T.

[LonghornTX]

Honestly, I really dislike the upcoming Camaro, and think the current Mustang and soon-to-be-released Challenger look much, much better.

Yea, I definitely don't like the styling of the Camaro compared to its competitors.

[LonghornTX]

The Challenger is on the LY platform, which has its beginnings in the LX platform, sure.  But as I recall, the Mustang's platform is a distant relative of the Lincoln LS and Thunderbird.  Doesn't mean it handles like those two cars. 

From what I know, the LY platform is basically just a shortened LX.

Anyone know anything more about this? 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Yea, I definitely don't like the styling of the Camaro compared to its competitors.

Is that because you just brought a 'Stang?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The Mustang's platform is heavily based on the 1911 Model T.

[Raza]

From what I know, the LY platform is basically just a shortened LX.

Anyone know anything more about this? 

For example, the Eos and GTI are on the same platform, but have different suspensions.  The VW Phaeton and Bentley Continental GT also.  There's a Lambo on that platform too.  350Z and FX45.

Platform can mean a lot of things.

[nickdrinkwater]

I think it's all over for Chrysler...

[Lebowski]

I wasn't really swayed by the orange since I'm conservative with the colors but this looks really good, I like it.

What's that in your sig?

[Lebowski]

When is this retro thing going to end?

[TheIntrepid]

The Mustang's platform is heavily based on the 1911 Model T.

You know Dazzle bought a Model T new from Henry Ford himself...

[CALL_911]

You know Dazzle bought a Model T new from Henry Ford himself...

Lame.

[thewizard16]

I really dislike this car, am neutral to the Mustang, and love the Camaro. I really think that all of these will do okay because if you don't like one, one of the others will jump out at you. There were an extraordinary number of older men (and a few wives dragged along) clustered around the Camaro at the auto show and far fewer in any other place. I personally don't understand how anyone can find the Camaro unattractive , but then again, many could be confused by my dislike for the Dodge.

[CALL_911]

I really dislike this car, am neutral to the Mustang, and love the Camaro. I really think that all of these will do okay because if you don't like one, one of the others will jump out at you. There were an extraordinary number of older men (and a few wives dragged along) clustered around the Camaro at the auto show and far fewer in any other place. I personally don't understand how anyone can find the Camaro unattractive , but then again, many could be confused by my dislike for the Dodge.

I do. It's called taste. Some people think different things look like crap. For instance, I can't understand how anyone thinks the 964 is short of gorgeous, but there are people (Hi, Rag), and well, thats their taste.

[LonghornTX]

For example, the Eos and GTI are on the same platform, but have different suspensions.  The VW Phaeton and Bentley Continental GT also.  There's a Lambo on that platform too.  350Z and FX45.

Platform can mean a lot of things.

Yea, I get platform sharing.  I was asking for difference between the LY and LX.

BTW, what Lambo do you think rides on the same platform as the Phaeton and CGT, or did I misenterpret what you said?

[Raza]

Yea, I get platform sharing.  I was asking for difference between the LY and LX.

BTW, what Lambo do you think rides on the same platform as the Phaeton and CGT, or did I misenterpret what you said?

I honestly can't remember which one it is, but I think the Gallardo shares the same basic platform as the Continental GT, Phaeton, and A8.  But it could be the Murcielago.  Those are the only two options. 

[nickdrinkwater]

I do. It's called taste. Some people think different things look like crap. For instance, I can't understand how anyone thinks the 964 is short of gorgeous, but there are people (Hi, Rag), and well, thats their taste.

Is 964 the Boxster?  I think it's very short of gorgeous.  But I like the Camaro. (if it turns out like the concept, anyway)

It's good we have different tastes or life would be boring.

[LonghornTX]

Is that because you just brought a 'Stang?

No, more because I don't think the Camaro will translate into a good looking production car.  Sure, the concept car looks stunning, but it does so with useless side mirrors and something like 22' wheels.  I think that the car will either suffer the fate of wearing stupidly heavy, big wheels or look very large and bloated without them.  The belt line is too high for me and the interior looks to be way too retro for even my tastes.

Of course, I will reserve final judgement for when I see the final car IRL.