Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda Says Dodge Challenger Is a "Go"
Nearly 35 Years Later, Dodge Challenger Returns as the Ultimate Modern American Muscle Coupe
* Unprecedented public response to Challenger concept leads to "green light" decision for production
* Chrysler Group COO Eric Ridenour says concept-to-production success story highlights focus on speed-to-market
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jul 1, 2006 - 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.
"We haven't seen this kind of spontaneous, passionate response to a car since we unveiled the Dodge Viper concept in 1989," said LaSorda. "But it's easy to see what people like about the Dodge Challenger. It's bold, powerful and capable. It's a modern take on one of the most iconic muscle cars, and sets a new standard for pure 'pony car' performance."
The Dodge Challenger will feature the long hood, short deck, wide stance and two-door coupe body style that distinguished the iconic Challengers of the 1970s.
"We drew on the rich heritage of the Dodge Challenger, but with contemporary forms and technologies," said Ridenour. "It's not just a re-creation; it's a reinterpretation."
Dodge's "Pony Car" in the 1970s
The 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.
The Dodge Challenger is another chapter in Chrysler Group's long history of bringing concepts quickly to production, including the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Jeep� Compass.
"Our product development system allows us to quickly turn concepts into high-quality production vehicles," said Ridenour. "We're justifiably proud of our speed to market, and Dodge Challenger is the latest example of our focus on getting gotta-have-it vehicles to our customers."
Dodge Challenger.
#1
Posted 02 July 2006 - 03:57 PM
#2 _user asked to be removed_
Posted 02 July 2006 - 05:19 PM
It just looks bloody sick
#3
Posted 02 July 2006 - 05:29 PM
Look at how the sheet metal is almost as per orig... stuff your aero importance! Give us soul, emotion.... muscle car good looks!
Stick ya Astras where the sun don't shine!!!! How good would a modern day SL/R 5000 and A9X look?
C'mon GMH.... when's it gunna be our turn?
#4 _mike_nofx_
Posted 02 July 2006 - 05:54 PM
I would do anything for that car.
Huh... Torana... Whats a Torana...
#5
Posted 02 July 2006 - 06:01 PM
thats what holden should have done, hept the long bonnet/short boot for the torana
#6 _lx5008_
Posted 02 July 2006 - 06:53 PM
#7 _timbotorrie_
Posted 02 July 2006 - 07:02 PM
I WANT ONE!!!!!!
#8
Posted 02 July 2006 - 07:10 PM
I would still love an old challenger as well though.........
Edited by kudu, 02 July 2006 - 07:11 PM.
#9
Posted 02 July 2006 - 08:57 PM
#10
Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:04 PM
Very sexy car, this is the only remake of an oldschool car that I can respect, but it's still a concept. I want some performance figures!
Edited by Heath, 02 July 2006 - 09:05 PM.
#11 _user asked to be removed_
Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:07 PM
Challenger Heath, Challenger...You're all fooled; it's just an original charger
#12
Posted 02 July 2006 - 09:12 PM
You didn't like the Thunderbird ?You're all fooled; it's just an original charger with the bumpers removed and the interior woodgrain replaced with silver!
Very sexy car, this is the only remake of an oldschool car that I can respect, but it's still a concept. I want some performance figures!
#13
Posted 03 July 2006 - 10:18 AM
What about the Mustang ?You didn't like the Thunderbird ?You're all fooled; it's just an original charger with the bumpers removed and the interior woodgrain replaced with silver!
Very sexy car, this is the only remake of an oldschool car that I can respect, but it's still a concept. I want some performance figures!
#14 _73LJWhiteSL_
Posted 03 July 2006 - 10:33 AM
I agree with you the look of this car is spot on with the old one and it does look tough. I seriously doubt Holden would ever reintroduce the Torana in the same way as has been done here.Now how hard would it be to bring back the Torana along those lines?
With America having a much higher population it means niche cars like this one sell much better. With Australia's smaller population its much harder, probably part of the reason cars like the new Monaro don't survive.
I seriously doubt we will ever see a Torana done like the Challenger.
Steve
#15 _wasted_youth_
Posted 03 July 2006 - 12:38 PM
#16 _dave720gtr_
Posted 03 July 2006 - 06:12 PM
cheers
#17 _Loki_
Posted 03 July 2006 - 09:46 PM
I call the new monaro a piece of shit cause it's not along these standards and I get flamed.
GG double bguckin standards.
#18
Posted 03 July 2006 - 09:50 PM
What do you mean by "not along these standards"?
...not as good as the Challenger concept? Not a true Monaro? Not a good quality vehicle? I don't understand.
#19 _chevy_253_torana_
Posted 03 July 2006 - 10:06 PM
cheers chevy
#20 _G-Train_
Posted 04 July 2006 - 11:10 AM
Mmmmmmm, Hemi
#21 _Spyder_
Posted 05 July 2006 - 07:32 PM
#22 _wasted_youth_
Posted 07 July 2006 - 08:33 PM
peace all,,, and rainbows,, and LSD man,, like totally awesome like pure gold man,, jimi hendrix voodoo chile style,,,, uno what im saying
#23 _wasted_youth_
Posted 07 July 2006 - 08:35 PM
#24 _chevy_253_torana_
Posted 07 July 2006 - 08:49 PM
#25
Posted 07 July 2006 - 09:24 PM
I was going to laugh...anyone in the bendigo residence (makka) ive heard a rumor from my mate his dad might be getting one of these beasts
(Mates sisters brother inlaws uncle heard down the pub.....)
But the rumour just maybe true...
The hopes of a Charger revival in Australia have been crushed, but a hero could be on the way. Chrysler Group Australia wanted to import the new-generation Dodge Charger, a four-door muscle car, and revive a much-loved nameplate.
Managing Director Gerry Jenkins and Fitzsimmons are in Detroit and will push for a right-hand-drive Challenger.
"We are keen to have something that makes a statement at the performance-end of the market," Fitzsimmons says. It will be tough to get the US to agree to prepare the Challenger for export.
http://carsguide.new...2-21822,00.html
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