updates heard today

[magpearlmag]

Visited my local dealer today and was asking about the Challenger. Let me say upfront that I've not been completely convinced of all he's ever told me but if most of today's conversation holds true... it's some good stuff. Here goes: 1) Expect a 6.1 SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC Challenger (probably in Orange only at first) by approx. August '07. 2). Expect a 6.1 SIX SPEED MANUAL to follow about 4-6 weeks after that. These should both list about $39K. 3). Expect a 5.7 SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC to follow "soon" after that AND I believe a SIX SPEED MANUAL too; these should both list around the $32-33K region and should be factory equipped with CAI and a "nice" exhaust system therefore boasting about 350-355 H.P. and MDS (just for the record I asked if the 6.1 might ever get MDS (I already knew the answer) and he confirmed "Never happen"). 4) Expect at some later time (a year?) a V-6, possibly a 3.8 liter with a TURBO pushing out about 305 H.P. and priced in the $28K neighborhood! There won't be a lot of color choices... the orange first, certainly a black, but unsure after that. Probably never a silver, he said, as they tested that on the Charger and it wasn't popular... Might have different sized front/rear tires, at least on the 6.1 and he said the door handles will be a little different... Expect major dealer mark-ups on all the [early at least] 6.1's of course... but I'd like to think that will level off in a year or so, at least for the 5.7's if that's what you're after (I need the MDS with my driving and gas $$$). So, pretty good news? I think so...

[BobF's 6POINT1]

Why would a DCX vehicle have a 6 speed auto when all of MB is going to the 7 speed?

[wbornio]

Thanks for sharin'... I'm certain there are others here that will be able to confirm the DCX plans for the Challenger release plans and trannys....

First question I would ask... "Does the warranty cover CLUTCH REPLACEMENT?"

[bipto]

The August '07 date is news to me - my dealer and "others that I discuss such things with" are still insisting CY '08, probably April or May. I hope your guy is right on that one.

Regarding the order in which the trim levels / power options will be available, your dealer's spin is very similar to what I am hearing. All of my "semi-credible" sources seem to agree that the SRT will be first, but that the manual trans will be a "delayed availability" option.

Keep this guy talkin'...

[magpearlmag]

I will keep this guy talkin, he hears from his mopar rep weekly... As for tranny's, I have always thought [and please correct me if I'm wrong] that the more "multiple" the numbers (the more shifts you have) the harder it is to keep it together consistently with a high output (read: High torque) engine, and therefore while MB may be the community leader (again) in the number of transmission gears for "normal car applications", it seems to me that we're talking about "performance products" where every extra gear is an extra measure in overkill to keep it from self destructing.... and with that in mind, stepping up from 5 to 6 is already an appreciated improvement if they feel confident enough to do it in a 350+ HP performance oriented vehicle as compared to a little c280 thing or something in that genre.
I will stay close to my dealer's info source...

[CHARGERSHED]

the new AMG products are switching over to the 7 speed auto so it should handle the power with no problems... remember Dr.Z is commited to "platform sharing" between DCx and Benz... it would make no sense to design and engineer a 6 speed trans when they already have the 7... a few other tid bits... look for the car to be a few inches shorter ( in length) than the prototype... look for the R/T 5.7 to base with the current 5 speed auto and a cloth(!) interior around 27-28k... look for some changes in the 07 Charger and Magnum interior materials to get an idea of what the production interior might be like...

[FOHN_JARGO]

The salesman I spoke with said there will likely never be a V6 for this car. The reasoning is that the Challenger was untouchable in the beginning and it would be a shame to not uphold that.

[Mikeyjohn]

Glad to see that they are planning on using the 5.7 with auto. I would still like to know why they couldn't come up with a true auto and manual transmission so you could decide at the push of a button which mood you are in at any given time. Is this feasable? I'm not talking about auto-stick.

[Dutch]

The salesman I spoke with said there will likely never be a V6 for this car. The reasoning is that the Challenger was untouchable in the beginning and it would be a shame to not uphold that.

That salesman probably doesn't realize the standard engine for a 1970 Challenger was the 225 slant six with 145 HP. Untouchable indeed.

Old Challengers are only worth a lot of money now because they are rare, not because they were exceptionally good cars. The Challenger was too small and light to be a good car with a big block (Hemi, 383, or 440) and Chrysler's small blocks never offered the performance of the competition's.

In '72, '73, and '74, the most powerful Challengers available had only 240 HP.