'09 Challenger... Mopar Muscle

[Blackdog]

Some might already know about this but for those that don't you might find it interesting.

"Everything Old Is New Again

Enter the '09 Dodge Challenger.
There is little to speculate about when it comes to Mopar Muscle's opinion of the new Charger. DCX failed to win over the purists and '60s Mopar aficionados, apart from waving the magic 425hp combination in front of their noses. A curvaceous, sharply designed sedan with many creature comfrots, the Charger fell sort of hard-core enthusiasts' aspirations. Never intended to be a two-door sports coupe, the Charger was aimed at te suburbanites and professionals an ultra-competitive market.

According to Rick Kranz of Automotive News, as reported in June's Autoweek, 6/13/05, the Challenger, expected to debut in 2009 on the LX platform, will share the same design cues as the Chrysler 300C, Charger, and Magnum station wagon. The final drafting of the Challenger is still somewhat of a mystery, as "Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familar with the plans." The new Challenger is expected to compete with the retro-designed Mustang that has recently exceeded initial sales projections, causing output numbers to be increased for the next production year. The numbers give credence to America's desire for automakers to pay tribute to their musclecar genealogy with designs influenced by past ponycars. "It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for Global Insight, an industry research group. "They are really excited about it. "Madden states the sports coupe is planned to debut in early 2009, the same time that the next-generation LX vehicles are to be re-engineered and restyled.

Though Chrysler officials have kept a tight lid on the possible designs of the car, production numbers projections have been released. Estimated to match the venerale Mustang's production, DCX plans on selling 60,000 to 70,000 cars in the first year. "The enthusiasm for that product,"Madden continues, "is very big." With the introduction of the Charger, Charger R/T, Daytona R/T, and SRT-8 this year, DCX will be testing the waters with the recent shot in the arm to the reception of the Charger and other SRT manifestations, the dream of the totally moder, two-door, 425-horse Hemi-powered Challenger might becoume a reality."

Mopar Muscle

[BigBlackDodge]

According to Rick Kranz of Automotive News, as reported in June's Autoweek, 6/13/05, the Challenger, expected to debut in 2009 on the LX platform, will share the same design cues as the Chrysler 300C, Charger, and Magnum station wagon.


........thats not good.


BBD

[69bananabeast]

if the designing is going to be similiar and have two doors  that's not going to be near enough change to compete with the Stang 

[70charginglizard]

Idiots....they just don't get it do they.

[694spdRT]

2009 is too long to wait IMO. If they are hoping to ride the "new" Mustang wave it will be old news by then. A plan for a 2 door Charger/Challenger should have been in the works in 1999, then it would have been ready for the current "Muscle car" craze.   

[dd44068]

I could not agree more

[253862656971]

Two things jumped at me from that article.  1st the Chally being based on the magnum platform.   2nd it is supposed to be retro designed.    This is a case of prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

[jaak]

maybe when the chally comes out we wont have to see a thousand new charger threads a day,  just chally threads

[Stormhammer]

2009 is too long to wait IMO. If they are hoping to ride the "new" Mustang wave it will be old news by then. A plan for a 2 door Charger/Challenger should have been in the works in 1999, then it would have been ready for the current "Muscle car" craze.   

you know - thinking about it - won't really have been the first ime 

I seem to recall it taking 6 years for a Challenger to go after a Mustang

[Mass_Mopar]

2 doors, 6.1L Hemi, don't short us now and only offer a slushbox.  I just may disown the company

[bull]

maybe when the chally comes out we wont have to see a thousand new charger threads a day,   just chally threads

I hope you are right. I'd much rather be proud of Chrysler's creations rather than embarrassed, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Chryco Psycho]

too late as usual & if it only has a slush box .....Who cares 

[Silver R/T]

maybe if theyll get this car right and not screw it up Ill get one then

[Dale The Bold]

Well, we have a Magnum Wagon, a Magnum Sedan...let's build the Magnum Coupe!

The new Mustang isn't exceeding my sales expectations.  But to be fair, I'm actually aware that there is a market for good looking cars.

[41husk]

Charger Bill needs to send them some drawings, several of his versions I would buy!

[BigBlackDodge]

Two things jumped at me from that article.   1st the Chally being based on the magnum platform.   2nd it is supposed to be retro designed.     This is a case of prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Same platform...............okay.....................it's the 'will share the same design cues' that worries me.

BBD

[Highbanked Hauler]

 I have said it on the old board and I hold to it, Mercedes wants to kill off Chrysler.Between dragging their feet when now is the time for the retro look and producing the  06 Charger they will get their wish.

[6670charger]

Two doors and a retro design on an LX platform car?  I thought there wasn't a market for two doors.  I'm not a big fan of wagons, but, it's a sad day when a station wagon like the Magnum is a cooler car than the Dodge Charger.  According to a recent article I read about the new Challenger, they ended by saying that "depending on how well the Charger, Magnum and 300 do, a Challenger is a definite posssibility."

If that's the case, any of you who want a new Challenger in a few years had better start buying your LX Chargers now.  I, however, am officially done with Dodge.  It's a shame, because my motto had always been "only Dodge in my garage."

[694spdRT]

This weekend I was talking to a Chrysler Regional Manager at the Monster Mopar show and he said the sales of the Mustang have opened up the eyes of those in charge. From what he has heard there will be designs available at the next big meeting. The big thing is the poor timing....three years is a long time to miss out in the car industry.        

[6670charger]

Designs for what? 

[694spdRT]

Designs for what?  

The '09 Challenger.

I probably should have said "exterior renderings" of possible designs. I seriously doubt any of this will be available to the general public anytime soon though.

[BigBlackDodge]

This weekend I was talking to a Chrysler Regional Manager at the Monster Mopar show and he said the sales of the Mustang have opened up the eyes of those in charge. From what he has heard there will be designs available at the next big meeting. The big thing is the poor timing....three years is a long time to miss out in the car industry.        

An affordable v-8 rwd 2 door retro muscle car.....................who would-a thunk it !!!!!!


Every car guy/gal thats who....................if they would only listen to what the people want instead of telling them want they want. Now they know better.................maybe....... How long has it been since they've had a 2 door v-8??.........the old Magnums, 25 plus years???............Geez.  

And they wonder why we cling to the past.

BBD

[andy74]

i am a dodge dealer , and the only thing i can say is DCX can kiss my ass,im gonna sell as much used cars as i can from now on

[Khyron]

wow, i'm an ass

[BigBlackDodge]

wow, i'm an ass

Where's the 2 extra 'family' doors?

BBD

[Khyron]

they did say 2 door  

[TheGhost]

I believe there already is a concept model constructed, and they are currently testing it.  I heard this info probably 3rd hand, though, so I don't know how accurate it is.

[Ghoste]

A two door version of an ugly car after the retro fad has passed?  I'm already wondering what Mustang will do to trump the current fad.  I could live with the four door Charger if it had style.

Oh look, it's a nerd and he's late for the party.

[Chargerguy74]

DCX is dead to me

[andy74]

trevor creed is a dick