Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes
Dodge Challenger to hit the road in 18 months?
It could happen. DaimlerChrysler staffers are being quoted as saying it would only take 18 to 24 months to get
the Challenger into showrooms once management gives the go-ahead.Given the overwhelmingly encouraging response that the company received after the concept car's unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show (including its victory over the Camaro in our head-to-head reader poll!), it's hard to imagine that DaimlerChrysler would turn down the opportunity to one-up Chevrolet, whose Camaro concept is said to be three years away from production.
Of course, DaimlerChrysler has a huge advantage over Chevy, in that the Challenger is based on a shortened version of the LX platform already in production for the Chrylser 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum. Add to that a full line of platform-compatible powertrains, and a 2008 model-year Challenger looks like a slam dunk.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jennifer M 11:33AM (1/15/2006)
So, now I realize why the american car comps are
reinventing the camero, challenger, and even the mustang.
The baby boomers are now starting to retire, and will continue in the years to come, they have a lot of money, so it only makes sense they will spend anything to relive their childhood. I think, they should donate the money to third world counties and the womens movement, which is the right thing to do.
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Christian J 11:34AM (1/15/2006)
Nice. Put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, GM. That sh*t is dope.
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kpogoda 11:36AM (1/15/2006)
That is great news! I absolutely love the retro styling of this car. The camaro is not retro enough. The nose is too pointy also.
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jd 12:21PM (1/15/2006)
GM better get their head out of their ass. 2009 for the Camaro. What gives!!!
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Dodge Challenger 12:28PM (1/15/2006)
This is great news and I really hope it happens. With the Camaro exiting the market, the only pony car left is the Mustang. It would be great to see the Challenger give the Mustang a run for it's money!
Anyway, if you're interested in the new Challenger, check out http://www.challengertalk.com
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anonymous 1:38PM (1/15/2006)
the camaro is NOT reto
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Glenn Laycock 3:52PM (1/15/2006)
They need this car out fast. Chrysler wisely got behind this car 100% during development so that they made the right decisions (in hindsight) to get it into production.
GM obviously did what it used to do in the past and gets wishy-washy with projects (hot/cold) and they end up making bad decisions because no one in charge tells them they need to get this car out to the public ASAP. I bet no one working on the Camaro until maybe 6 months ago felt that it was an important project to save the company. I will wager most people working on it were really surprised when it suddenly became important to the company a few months ago. I know the Mustang sales success made GM put "some" symbolic resources into making a Camaro -- but I think it was intended as fallback thing, where they do minimal work "just in case" the company does decide to produce it as some point.
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submachine 4:28PM (1/15/2006)
The Challenger is the Xbox 360
The Camara is the PS3
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67RS 6:02PM (1/15/2006)
Jennifer has posed an interesting decision: Should I buy a Camaro or put more money in a third world despot's pocket? Should I buy a Challenger or donate it to feminist's organization to get its members cats so they have some companionship? Let me think. Well, that took .001 seconds. I'll buy both cars with the biggest gas guzzling package they'll offer.
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kyle 6:08PM (1/15/2006)
camaro maybe
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2008 Dodge Challenger 8:05PM (1/15/2006)
That would be awesome to have the Challenger out that soon! Let's see if GM can get their Camaro out before that!
http://www.stockmopar.com/2008-dodge-challenger.html
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Axel 9:26PM (1/15/2006)
Who cares? The mighty EVO X will be out before either the Challenger or Camaro and with it's little 300hp turbo 4 will out accelerate, out handle, and look better than both those overweight pieces of junk.
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lastride147 10:10PM (1/15/2006)
Who cares Axel? You won't be buying an EVO anyways....so what's the point of your observation? Hmm, nothing? Thought so. You can always shoot the finger out the window of your Civic when one of the new Challengers smokes past you on the street I suppose.
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Christian J 10:16PM (1/15/2006)
67RS. I agree. Shut the hell up about the Third World. Last time I looked, their civilizations have been around as long as ours. They didn't do to well, tough luck. As if i has anything to do with the Challenger concept. -C
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Jonathan Russell 11:26PM (1/15/2006)
YES. Please, Dodge, build the Challenger. Then perhaps Chevrolet will finally bring back the Camaro, preferably in 1969 retro form... Do it now.
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DAN 11:55PM (1/15/2006)
FINALY A HOT CAR THAT IS'T A BUBBLE. IT IS THE BEST LOOKING CAR I HAVE SEEN IN MENY YEARS.
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Dave M. 1:10AM (1/16/2006)
Uh, Axel? I don't think so. The Evo might out-accelerate the Challenger, but exactly how much more power do you need? Then there's the "look" aspect - sorry, but the Evo can't hold the WRX's gym bag, never mind the Challenger.
I think the Challenger is gorgeous, and if based on the 300 chassis, will handle well and be easily tossible. Sadly, I also know firsthand of Mopar's sad quality, and would think twice before jumping into a long-term financial relationship with one...
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Gundar 1:45AM (1/16/2006)
"9. Jennifer has posed an interesting decision: Should I buy a Camaro or put more money in a third world despot's pocket? Should I buy a Challenger or donate it to feminist's organization to get its members cats so they have some companionship? Let me think. Well, that took .001 seconds. I'll buy both cars with the biggest gas guzzling package they'll offer."
HA HA HA HA HA! I love sarcasm. Especially when it's being directed at a dysfunctional, self-righteous man-hater who only demonstrated her stupidity by posting that assinine comment in this thread. Now go shave your armpits and see if you can get laid without clubbing a man over the back of the head and dragging him off to your cave.
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Justin 2:19AM (1/16/2006)
The rest of the world moved on from the 60s a long time ago. The EVO X will PWN all of these RWD dinos.
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Jake 3:09AM (1/16/2006)
Just another vehicle that says I don't give a "(*& about global warming. Much in tune with the manufacture from what I can see.
Will it float?
What a joke.
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