new Challenger

[srothfuss]

If this is true, AWESOME. But it's got to be BS. GM is so beyond stupid, they can't do anything right. They scraped it last year now it's back on again?

I thought it was scraped too. But I figured I would spread the words of Autoweek for us to wonder about. Technically when GM canned the project they told us that "we are putting it on the back burner for now" Which usually means that the project has been cancelled and will never be heard from again. I guess that isn't the case this time.... Maybe GM is actually thinking again.?

 

[351CJ]

We were simply discussing any future competition to the mustang that the other 2 OEM's might produce.

I just thought that is was strange that you were looking for GM employees (or other GM experts) to spill their beans on a Mustang site.

 

[66Satellite]

A few quotes from Allpar:

"The new LY Dodge Challenger is planned for the 2007-2008 calendar year."

“Prices will probably start around $22,000 for the V6 model (I don't know at this point if they will use a tweaked 3.5L or the 4.0L, whatever one they use, expect about 275HP). There will probably be a few trims of the V6 models, each with varying content. The next model up will be the 5.7L Hemi "R/T" which will come in at just under $30K. The SRT-8 with 425+ horsepower will most likely be about $36,000 - $38,000 depending on options.”

But it's all speculation at this point.

More here:

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html

 

[351CJ]

That's interesting because someone just posted a news report on another thread here that there would not be a V6 Challenger. It also said that the Challenger would be low volume (5K - 10K /year ) and be hemi only.

IIRC the new 300C platform - which the Challenger would be build on - will not be ready until the 2009 model year.

Sounds like this is all speculation with no real facts.

If there is a positive with a hemi Challenger it would be that it will kill the ability of Ford dealers to add markups on the GT-500.

 

[66Satellite]

That's interesting because someone just posted a news report on another thread here that there would not be a V6 Challenger. It also said that the Challenger would be low volume (5K - 10K /year ) and be hemi only.

IIRC the new 300C platform - which the Challenger would be build on - will not be ready until the 2009 model year.

Sounds like this is all speculation with no real facts.

If there is a positive with a hemi Challenger it would be that it will kill the ability of Ford dealers to add markups on the GT-500.

Yeah, who knows? Now I'm hearing buzz they'll bring back the Barracuda, too, on the same platform (as a Chrysler ). Again, I'll believe it when I see it. But the more V8 RWD American muscle, the better.

 

[GT-03]

That's strange, I thought this was a Mustang chat site.

Competition is good for the Mustang. It keeps "Team Mustang" on their toes.

Well, the competition is good, as long as the Mustang keeps wining.

 

[66Satellite]

Competition is good for the Mustang. It keeps "Team Mustang" on their toes.

Well, the competition is good, as long as the Mustang keeps wining.

Yes, and right now the Mustang has no direct competition, so what would motivate Ford to improve it? The new Challenger, like the 70-74 version, will be a bigger, heavier, more expensive car. But if DC can keep the price reasonable and make the car more practical with a bigger back seat and nicer interior than the Mustang (the Mustang's two biggest weaknesses), it might make for some serious competition. Throw in IRS and a 6 speed and it's gonna make a lot of people pretty interested... And then maybe we'll see a return of the Cougar...?

 

[JonW]

I want I want I want! I think it looks great. We'll see how the production version comes out. I bet they keep it true to the Challenger roots. They learned their lesson with the Charger. Now if I can just get the 'Stang paid off before it comes out...

 

[351CJ]

Yes, and right now the Mustang has no direct competition, so what would motivate Ford to improve it?

It's called profitable sales.

The Mustang's last direct competition (F Bodies) went away in 2002, but Ford still invested hundreds of millions of $$ to give us the S197 Mustang.

 

[Klay]

Its a nice concept but the 6.1 hemi will most likely NOT be priced with the mustang gt. I still think the mustang looks nicer and who knows how much hp ford will bump the gt motor up (if they do) by 2009.

 

[TenaciousD]

latest pics
http://www.whatboyswant.com/forum_read/1844737/

 

[66Satellite]

more on the design

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=108756?tid=edmunds.h..insideline.promo.2.*#4

 

[Mike06_10pm]

the interior looks just like our mustangs... even has the "challenger" on the door sill just like us.

it looks pretty nice, just personally dont think it has the same lines as the mustang.

respect the power though cause american muscle competition would be great. im sick of racing rice
-mike

 

[boss377]

It's a fake! I wouldn't fall for it. After 30-years of abandoning the muscle car market, Mercedes(Chrysler) wakes up and notices that the continuously-produced Mustang is selling like hotcakes. 'Hmmm.........let's do a CAD clone of a......let's see.......a '70 Challenger....... yeah that's it, a 1970, but let's make it based on some boring-ass gigantic 4-door platform, and oh yeah, let's put an Automatic in it.' I'm sure they'll sell plenty of them no matter how off the mark the final production unit is. The Mustang is the real deal, and I'm glad I'm in the #1 club.

 

[GusinCA]

I love the look of the thing.
I wonder if it will be offered in a convertible?
Price will probably be an issue, that Mustang is hard to beat in many ways.

 

[Dutch]

let's make it based on some boring-ass gigantic 4-door platform,

Have you ever driven a Hemi-powered LX car? It will teach you the meaning of the word "torque." Also, IRS isn't boring, ask any Cobra owner.

 

[srothfuss]

It's a fake! I wouldn't fall for it. After 30-years of abandoning the muscle car market, Mercedes(Chrysler) wakes up and notices that the continuously-produced Mustang is selling like hotcakes. 'Hmmm.........let's do a CAD clone of a......let's see.......a '70 Challenger....... yeah that's it, a 1970, but let's make it based on some boring-ass gigantic 4-door platform, and oh yeah, let's put an Automatic in it.' I'm sure they'll sell plenty of them no matter how off the mark the final production unit is. The Mustang is the real deal, and I'm glad I'm in the #1 club.

Sorry to burst your bubble, it is at the autoshow. Both the Camaro and Challenger are at the Detroit autoshow. I'll have pictures in about 2 weeks.
Second, it's got a MANUAL transmission, not an automatic.
Third, It's shorter than the Charger..... Who said a 40+ family man can't have his cake and eat it too? At least Chrysler is selling cars. Ford and GM are going to have to do something to change their recent reputations (Ford for overcharging / GM for not producing enough)
Competition will be good

Go pick up the latest copy of Motortrend, it's all in there.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Have you ever driven a Hemi-powered LX car? It will teach you the meaning of the word "torque." Also, IRS isn't boring, ask any Cobra owner.

This is true, though you need a chip to really unleash the torque since DC put in a few tricks to keep you from tearing up the engine. And yes, the mercedes irs is very nice As much as I love my Magnum, you can guarantee there will be a Challenger SRT sitting in it's place when it's released.

 

[_jb_]

There were pics of the 5th gen Camaro that leaked out. GM wanted all of the pics released to be taken off the net. Fourms like ls1tech and ls1.com did remove the pics. At ls1.com they had a "5th Gen Camaro" fourm thing, but later it was removed. It was still a concept, but I really liked it, didn't look like the orange and black drawings.
Last I knew the Camaro was supposed to be released in 09...

 

[_jb_]

After doing a quick search of the 5th gen Camaro, I can not find any pictures of it. I didn't save them either...damn.