More awesome Challenger news!

[Cainne]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060424/FREE/60424004/1024/LATESTNEWS

looks like (as mentioned before) the challenger is pretty much a go.

But they even said they dont expect it to sell in high volumes as the other LX models, so this will be a specialty car (as if anyone had any doubts about that) I personally think thats an awesome idea.

But if this thing comes standard witht he 6.1.... what would be in the SRT? its mind boggling.

I can already see another license suspension for me ha ha ha :grin:

[nick_danger]

Hmm... the stock R/T will have the 6.1? SRT8 will have the 6.3? That would be sweet.

We know Dodge is thinking about S/C options as well...

[sugar-tj]

can't wait to see the car!!!!!

[Cainne]

Well i couldnt tell from the article, but since they mentioned almost ALL the challengers would be V8.. have the 6.1 in an R/T would be REALLY nice... then the SE could have the 5.7 so no matter what option you geting... you're getting 340+ horses.

[Bandit]

A car destined to be lighter than the LX platform with the 6.1 in an R/T version... well, they just made our LX platform SRT8's obsolete! The Challenger R/T will be faster.

That's ok, I'm going for the Challenger SRT8 no matter what engine gets stuffed in ther (SC'd or not) and I can't wait!!!

[Cainne]

But hey if you have a current SRT8 remember... you'll ahve way more people hauling capabilities, besides... wahts cooler than a 400+hp station wagon?

[Bandit]

A 500++ rwhp station wagon!

<grin>

[nick_danger]

wahts cooler than a 400+hp station wagon?
A 500++ rwhp station wagon!
Well said. :rock:

[bipto]

Good news indeed! Sounds like they're regarding it as the "poor man's Viper" project.

[boggart]

Man, I can't wait to get one and rip the engine out and put a 3.5 in it. :rock:

[bipto]

Man, I can't wait to get one and rip the engine out and put a 3.5 in it. :rock:
LOL MagnumSXT - hope you got your flame-proof suit on!

I does surprise me that they are considering a V8 only option. For as much as DCX is "coming around," I still don't feel that understand the market for this car as well as they could...

[American Muscle]

I bet there will only be a R/T 5.7 version and an SRT 6.1 version. The concept has the 6.1 but I doubt that will be the only engine option. Sounds like these will NOT be mass produced.

[Reppr]

Man, I can't wait to get one and rip the engine out and put a 3.5 in it. :rock:
That would be like taking your avatar and giving it breast reduction surgery!!! You are a sad, strange little man, and I pity you! hahahahaha:doh: :mrgreen:

[boggart]

Roflmao

[elcapitan87]

looks like (as mentioned before) the challenger is pretty much a go.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my father works in the machine automation industry, for a company that designs and builds assembly lines. His company did the install of the LX assembly lines in Brampton (his build project actually, I've got pics somewhere in the archives that he took back then).
Of course, while nothing official has ever been said, in conversation with my father, it has been mentioned that a certain car manufacturer located in Auburn Hills, MI has long ago ordered the assembly line updates for the LY platform including provisions for producing a 2dr vehicle, to be installed in Brampton.
Barring something catastrophic, the Challenger is a go. :beerchug:

[Hardrock]

How about a 225 ci Slant Six ?

Very reliable and it has that "What is that?" appeal.

[bipto]

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my father works in the machine automation industry, for a company that designs and builds assembly lines. His company did the install of the LX assembly lines in Brampton (his build project actually, I've got pics somewhere in the archives that he took back then).
Of course, while nothing official has ever been said, in conversation with my father, it has been mentioned that a certain car manufacturer located in Auburn Hills, MI has long ago ordered the assembly line updates for the LY platform including provisions for producing a 2dr vehicle, to be installed in Brampton.
Barring something catastrophic, the Challenger is a go. :beerchug:
LOL man - you're secret is safe with me... :wink:

That's a great piece of info - thanks for posting! :thumbs_u:

[Cainne]

I know there's a few people from what i've seen on certain sites that are upset about the Challenger being a limited production model... but i mean i never thought it would be anything but.
I mean as far as the product lineup a two door hemi coupe just sounds like a project car to me, not something that you would just find in mass production. But to each their own i guess. I'm kinda glad its a limted edition kinda car. but at 45k units a year it wont be TOO limited.

[gn300]

I hope history does not repeat itself. High gas prices of the seventies and insurance rates out of sight! Sure hope they sell lots of them. I'm hoping to grab a magnum that is traded on a challenger!

[Teahead]

I think the SRT model should have the 6.4L to compete w/the 475hp Shelby cobra.

[lieu910]

The "limited production" scares me. What that means is probobally a 35k-40k car marked up an additional 5k-10k.

It's for that reason that a highly doubt I will buy a 1st year production model.

[blackmagsxt]

Wow....will be ready for a new car in 2008 and I wanted the Challenger but with that price I will be looking elsewhere. I need a cool but practical car to replace the Magnum.....heck I think I'll just keep the Mag.......this is disappointing but hey you guys who get one......way to go.......

[Fondy]

yeah talking about the RT being a 6.1 the srt.....hell just put the viper V10 in like they did the ram srt truck. LOL

and what was said about gas... yeah i drive 2 V8's cant wait for $4 bucks a gallon this 4th of july!!!!!

I hate the world we live in.

[shiltz]

This is bad news not awesome news imo, if it's true the Challenger is going to be doomed to the same fate of the new GTO, only a high end expensive model = very low sales numbers = car killed off in 3 years, they need to follow how Ford did it with the Mustang for price and models, they do that and it will likely beat out the 300 for sales just like the new Mustang does.

[67alecto]

If you read to the end, you'd actually see:

"Said Eberhardt, the Challenger "is a larger car, and I think it will be (priced) a little above" the Mustang. "

Of course, the definition of "a little" will be key here, since the Mustang GTs start at around 25k w/o options.

[allpont]

The only thing Ford has done right, imo, has been the Mustang. You want looks at a practical $$$, you got it. You want mid-grade muscle, a convertible even, you got it...You want balls out HP...You got it. This will be hard to do with the Challenger because it's being advertised as the Monster Of The Midway...I hope I'm wrong...Give Ford a run at it !!!

[elcapitan87]

I think the SRT model should have the 6.4L to compete w/the 475hp Shelby cobra.

Voices in my head tell me that there will be options for the 6.1 (Eagle motor in DCX speak) and the 6.4 (Bald Eagle motor), with both ATX and MTX options making the cut thus far.
The voices in my head also tell me that in the next month or two DCX will be sending the first pre-production Challengers to a supplier in the Metro Detroit area (who also did all the pre and post-production prototyping on the LX platform) to see how they can shave weight without sacraficing structural integrity. They want the 6.1 cars to be comfortably 3/10s quicker than the SRT sedans, so look for 12.5x @ 105-110mph out of the box for 6.1 equipped cars.:racing:
Provided it won't cost them their livlihood, the voices in my head will provide pictures.

[k9eros]

I disagree; the GTO has an outstanding interior, one of the nicest around. However, I think the reason for the low sales numbers is the less than stellar exterior (read that BLAND) styling. I was actually considering a GTO when I bought my new Mustang GT, until I saw a goat in a parking lot. On first glance my thought was that it was a Grand Prix GTP. When I realized that it was a GTO that killed my interest in one. The styling of the Challenger will not allow this to happen, as long as the interior and performance are as great as the exterior. However, it does need to have a reasonable price tag so that they don't price it out of its market.

Let me say one thing about pricing it competetively with the Mustang GT. I never realized until I owned one how many kids, literally, own a GT. It takes some of the pride out of having one when you see a bunch of 16 year olds with cars just like yours. I'd gladly pay a bit more for a Challenger not to see one every 5 minutes.

Absolutely no intention of stepping on anyones toes or starting a flame session here, this is just my humble opinion.

This is bad news not awesome news imo, if it's true the Challenger is going to be doomed to the same fate of the new GTO, only a high end expensive model = very low sales numbers = car killed off in 3 years, they need to follow how Ford did it with the Mustang for price and models, they do that and it will likely beat out the 300 for sales just like the new Mustang does.

[Cainne]

I mean if its priced around 25-30k i think it will do well, i also believe the GTO WOULD have done better if it didnt look like a grand prix, i mean on paper the GTO was an AWESOME car... in person... it looked like nothing special, thus no one bought one.
I also feel the challenger wont have that problem. Besides chrysler even came out and said that this car probably wont be your daily driver and thus gas prices aren't a factor. Its like people who go out and buy corvettes... they usually dont care about gas prices, they care about performance. Its like anyone who buys a special edition mustang like the saleen or roush... no one who buys those cars (which are even higher premiums than the GT) really care about gas prices... since they're paying hand over fist for insurance anyway.
I mean heck, i consider myself a good driver, never got into a major accident, sure i have a few traffic tickets, but from going around insurance on my charger alone in some places is in excess of 6-700 dollars. (of course i've gotten pulled over more than a few times going 5-10 over... dang cops). so i'd HATE to see my premiums in a GT.
ALso dont forget 70% of ALL mustangs sold are V6's, chrysler doesnt want that, they want ALL their challengers to be fast performance models.
I also heard somewhere that the production would be like 30-40k cars a year which while limited, aint THAT limited

[grinner]

I can't imagine em lettin these go for less than 30 all bare bones.
I can't wait to drive one. What a fun lookin ride.

[sorbs@mac.com]

Limited production is 5K a year. Gas at $3+ a gallon and it may only take a year for the stealer markup to be history. 6.4L next year in SRT-8s so look for that here. Not buying the supercharger rumor at all...

[Bandit]

Let me say one thing about pricing it competetively with the Mustang GT. I never realized until I owned one how many kids, literally, own a GT. It takes some of the pride out of having one when you see a bunch of 16 year olds with cars just like yours. I'd gladly pay a bit more for a Challenger not to see one every 5 minutes.

I could not agree with you more! The Mustang has been the "Me too car" since the late 80's. "I got a Mustang." "Oh yeah, me too."

Here's the other reason why I can justify the higher price...

I decided to swing by a local Ford dealer out of boredom last night. The salesman saw me pull up in my modded SRT8 and simply saw dollar signs I think. He took me straight inside to see the new Saleen Mustangs he had. Twin screw supercharged, 450hp beasts he said.

They looked nice all decked out in their cute body kits, dropped tops and the motor was impressive. I asked which motor it was... 4.6 he responded. "WTF???" I thought to myself.

I climbed inside and the thing was bare bones man. It was dressed up to look like it had a lot, but no heated seats, no NAV system, power driver seat ONLY and it had less movability than my seats, no heated mirrors, and so on. I asked him what the price was... "63,000" he responded. I nearly choked on my own tongue.

I asked him about the options listed above... how can I get them? "They're not available... no car this powerful has luxury features except exotics" he said. I pointed outside and said "yes they are, and for $20,000 less".

I walked out shaking my head that Ford continues to improve their vehicle design, allow for some pretty ass-phalt kickin' power options, but still have THE most sparsely decorated interior in the industry. No options, and they don;t even bother to make it look nice in there.


The Challenger SRT8 will be the king of the road.

[k9eros]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that part. Mine stickered at about $31,000 and it has every available option except automatic & convertible. No heated seats, manual passenger seat, no steering wheel controls, no auto healights, I could go on. The only real decent options are something similar to the EVIC and the awesome Shaker 1000 sound system. Not even a satellite radio system available. Even loaded up it is pretty barebones. That is one big reason for the "low" price, if it came as nicely equipped as a nice Charger or Magnum it would be the same price. The new Shelby GT500 is slated to cost about $40,000 and will still be barebones other than the powertrain (which is rumored that the test mules are breaking crankshafts in). If the SRT8 Challenger comes in priced competetively with the GT500, I guarantee it will be a better value, more car for the money.

I could not agree with you more! The Mustang has been the "Me too car" since the late 80's. "I got a Mustang." "Oh yeah, me too."
<snip>
I climbed inside and the thing was bare bones man. It was dressed up to look like it had a lot, but no heated seats, no NAV system, power driver seat ONLY and it had less movability than my seats, no heated mirrors, and so on. I asked him what the price was... "63,000" he responded. I nearly choked on my own tongue.