Chrysler seriously considering new Cuda

[DC_1]

 
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/05/report-chrysler-seriously-considering-new-barracuda-w-poll/


They continue to mock our cries for a 2 door Charger, seems like they are willing to build everything but!

[vancamp]

why do another car based on the challenger, bring back the road runner a cheap performance oriented car for the masses.

[Mike DC]

                                     
I don't see the market for a new Cuda.  Not the Cuda as we know it.  It would be exactly the kind of badge engineering that we complain so much about GM doing.  

I doubt a Roadrunner-type stripper musclecar would sell very well.  Have you ordered a low-option Challenger lately?  Me neither.    

[Ghoste]

They should forget the idea altogether.  They ruined the name Charger and Plymouth is dead and gone (not Fiats fault but still...) and they should just leave it be.  Let the Plymouth nameplates be remembered fondly and not dredged up for some marketing clown to mess up.

[DC_1]

I'm sure they wouldn't give a re-birth to the Plymouth name. It would be a Chrysler Cuda, or.........Ram Cuda! - how about that one!

[Brock Samson]

  here's a  ..

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/report-2013-alfa-romeo-spider-2012-giulia-to-be-based-on-rwd-c/

According to the comprehensive five-year plan which Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled today, the next generation of Alfa Romeos are slated to be based on a Chrysler platform.

Among those models will be the replacement for the current Spider, as well as the new Giulia sedan and wagon. These three models – which will replace the outgoing 159, Brera and Spider – were previously thought to borrow their underpinnings from a modified version of the C-segment platform that underpins the new Giulietta, but have now been revealed to be merged into Chrysler platforms, arriving in 2012 (Giulia) and 2013 (Spider). Although Marchionne didn't specify which Chrysler platform this will be, sources suggest it could be a modified version of the antiquated Mercedes-derived architecture that underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger.

In addition to the Alfa's adoption of Chrysler architecture, Marchionne indicated that Chrysler and Lancia are set to be further integrated, with common products (including a new compact minivan and the replacement for the Ypsilon supermini) sold as Lancias in continental Europe and as Chryslers in North America and the UK. With the exception of the Challenger, Charger and Viper, Dodge and Fiat products will be similarly integrated, while Jeep is slated for an increased overseas market presence.

[BrianShaughnessy]

I suspect that this was just a off the cuff remark by Gilles to a stir up something at SEMA.
Haven't heard any plans nor is it likely to ever happen.   He just gave the whiners enough hope to shut the up for a little while.

Just like the Firebird faithful hoping for a return along with the Camaro...  you're just gonna be disappointed.

[Todd Wilson]

I hope they make a 4 door Cuda!


Todd

[Ghoste]

If they do, I hope they badge it under the Fiat brand.

[chargerman67]

I like the poll answer "sure.. as long as it's not just a rebadged challenger" thats what a cuda is. They seriously need some help on this new charger though. Don't get me wrong guys that own them. It's a nice powerful vehicle, but it isn't retro enough for me.

[RD]

i say they should not do it at all.  The challenger always took second fiddle to the cuda, imagine what it would be like now. Plus, plymouth is dead.. it would be a stupid course of action if you ask me.

Now.. if they brought back the Plymouth moniker and had a few select choices:

Cuda
Roadrunner
GTX

available.. then that would be wise in the ways of the force.

[Mike DC]

             
IMHO a Cuda might sell better as an UP-notched luxury version of the Challenger rather than baser model.  Not likely to happen but I'm just shooting the bull.


As for the Firebird, I say only if it comes with mandatory T-tops and a huge screaming chicken on the hood.

     

[Ghoste]

Lingenfelter already make a convincing Firebird version of the Camaro so those guys can get one if they want it bad enough.  I guess for that matter, there are at least a couple of places making Cuda-ized versions of the new Challenger too.

[DC_1]

SPY PHOTO OF THE 2012 CUDA!!!!

[DC_1]

Sorry for the hack job Photoshop guys!.......best I can do in MS Paint 

[Mike DC]

                                 

Lingenfelter already make a convincing Firebird version of the Camaro so those guys can get one if they want it bad enough.

With the styling of the modern Camaro I think it could work as a Firebird as it is right now.  In fact I wonder if the stylists weren't instructed to design something that could stretch to serve as both models if need be.  (Remember that Pontiac wasn't officially dead yet when they started designing that car several years ago.)  I'm not suggesting that a new 'bird is necessarily a very wise move.  I was just struck by that aspect of the new Camaro's styling when I first saw it.   


The ironic thing about the Firebird is, if they did bring it back (unlikely) then I think modern buyers might embrace the two cars better with the roles reversed.  The Camaro would be accepted as the slightly classier upmarket version and the Firebird would be the sawed-off base equipped hot rod.

 

[Brock Samson]

i've read more then once the floor pans had an average difference of two inches between the original pony car and their corporate siblings camaro to firebird,.. mustang to cougar, cuda to challenger.. i forget what the javelin was to the AMX but it was a bit sorter as well. I belive the Chally was a bit wider then the Cuda... but I'm hardly and expert... i dont think the doors will interchange with any of the cousins though they look the same...

[Ghoste]

Are you sure on the GM cars?  Because you can fairly easily turn a 1st generation Firebird into a Camaro lookalike and vice versa.

[71ChallengeHer]

i've read more then once the floor pans had an average difference of two inches between the original pony car and their corporate siblings camaro to firebird,.. mustang to cougar, cuda to challenger.. i forget what the javelin was to the AMX but it was a bit sorter as well. I belive the Chally was a bit wider then the Cuda... but I'm hardly and expert... i dont think the doors will interchange with any of the cousins though they look the same...

Challenger's aren't wider, they have a longer wheel base then a Cuda. It's 2 inches longer.

[Al]

SPY PHOTO OF THE 2012 CUDA!!!!

rice version

[nvrbdn]

that spy photo killed me should add an r between  the E and the M  herbies sick milk cow cousin

[TruckDriver]

Only if it's not just a rebadged Challenger. Otherwise, what's the point

[Brock Samson]

 It'll never happen,.. but look for a new Viper with input from Ferrari. Possibly two versions, One an out and out Race version at one extreme and a FIREPOWER! type Luxo. street GT at the other.

[bull]

Now.. if they brought back the Plymouth moniker and had a few select choices:

Cuda
Roadrunner
GTX

Yes, GTX! It would work off the same platform as the Challenger but look different enough to be unique.

[68RT4ME]

Now.. if they brought back the Plymouth moniker and had a few select choices:

Cuda
Roadrunner
GTX

Yes, GTX! It would work off the same platform as the Challenger but look different enough to be unique.

OMG I WANT THAT CAR!!!!!!!      

[Khyron]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. they can't bring back these cars without the Plymouth name on this.... just like people said there is no 4 door charger, there is no Chrysler cuda... If your for the 'Cuda with anything but the plymouth name on it, but against the 4 door charger. Your a hypocrate

[moparstuart]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. they can't bring back these cars without the Plymouth name on this.... just like people said there is no 4 door charger, there is no Chrysler cuda... If your for the 'Cuda with anything but the plymouth name on it, but against the 4 door charger. Your a hypocrate

I agree no Road Runner , no Cuda , No GTX  with out plymouth !

[TruckDriver]

Now.. if they brought back the Plymouth moniker and had a few select choices:

Cuda
Roadrunner
GTX

Yes, GTX! It would work off the same platform as the Challenger but look different enough to be unique.

OMG I WANT THAT CAR!!!!!!!      

[BrianShaughnessy]

Now.. if they brought back the Plymouth moniker and had a few select choices:

Cuda
Roadrunner
GTX

Yes, GTX! It would work off the same platform as the Challenger but look different enough to be unique.

OMG I WANT THAT CAR!!!!!!!      

Once again... this will never happen.   Doug Schramm is just a guy with a computer that likes to draw pictures and pass them off on the web.

There's not enough market to support another badge engineered LX platform 2 door let alone one that would require different sheet metal.   How much on top of the $too much$ Chally would you be willing to pay for it?   

Plymouth  1928 to 2001.   RIP.

[Al]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. they can't bring back these cars without the Plymouth name on this.... just like people said there is no 4 door charger, there is no Chrysler cuda... If your for the 'Cuda with anything but the plymouth name on it, but against the 4 door charger. Your a hypocrate

 

[Cooter]

                                     

I doubt a Roadrunner-type stripper musclecar would sell very well.  Have you ordered a low-option Challenger lately?  Me neither.    

I tried to get my hands on the stripper version...They only sell those to "Racers" and the average "Joe public" can't buy it....Comes in @3000#, comes with 6 cyl. rear suspension, no motor/trans, and body in white.

It's pretty sad when I can buy a Ford Mustang GT with a 5.0 that has 475 HP for 30K and a Challenger of equal power will cost me over $40K, and it's heavier too boot......

[djcarguy]

what is the engine in sydmor's 2012 hemi cuda??a hemi 2 or 3 cylinder,lol,or hemi 1 cyl to help start the pedals on take oooooofofff

[djcarguy]

thanks sydmoe the spy photo of cuda ,really made me laugh and split a rib.wish i could eee it to my brother in vegas, he would have a heart attack and i would inherit his cars and guns...thanks

[djcarguy]

   the GTX photo is great ,makes me want to jump on or drop a tree on a challenger and custom a new roof and flares to make a new GTX .love the look .how can i customize my 74 dart swinger to look like a GTX..dj

[bull]

I doubt a Roadrunner-type stripper musclecar would sell very well.  Have you ordered a low-option Challenger lately?  Me neither.    

It's basically not allowed or it would probably happen more. I know I'd be more apt to buy a no-frills Challenger with a V8 upgrade than I would one of the highly-optioned ones where they add on $20k worth of junk I don't need. You used to be able to get that back in the day with either a 318 or 383 mopar.

[Mike DC]

                                
If the demand was present then I think the market would be meeting it.  Yes, I could see how there might be more of a market for a real stripper car than the OEMs are currently aware.  But I don't think it would be huge. 

Bottom line, there is a range of possible ways to build a car in between "stripper" and "fully loaded" and most of the buyers are leaning far towards fully loaded these days.

[mauve66]

dealer profit from options is very high so that is what they get, very few people order a car anymore and the dealer would rather sell you one off the lot or find one from another lot than wait for your ordered car to come in

[bull]

                               
If the demand was present then I think the market would be meeting it.  Yes, I could see how there might be more of a market for a real stripper car than the OEMs are currently aware.  But I don't think it would be huge. 

Bottom line, there is a range of possible ways to build a car in between "stripper" and "fully loaded" and most of the buyers are leaning far towards fully loaded these days.

On a car like this I think you're wrong. I know three people from work who've purchased three Challengers over the past few years. One purposely bought a base model 6 cylinder with very few options, one shopped around to get minimalist R/T as cheaply as possble and the other wanted a V8 but actually had to search for quite a while to find one that wasn't automatic, didn't have GPS, etc. And she still couldn't get one as stripped down as she had wanted. As Mauve said, Chrysler fattens them up because they make money on the overpriced option packages. You can't get the stripped down models because they won't let you, not because people don't want them.

[694spdRT]

The oddest Challenger R/T I found locally was a white Hemi 6 speed with upgraded wheels. It had a cloth seats and the basic interior package. Pretty much a stripper "muscle" car these days. Sticker was right around 33K back in '09. Don't know if it was ordered by the dealer but it sat on the lot for over 6 months.

[ChgrSteve67]

When are they going to make a convertable Challenger?

[bull]

The oddest Challenger R/T I found locally was a white Hemi 6 speed with upgraded wheels. It had a cloth seats and the basic interior package. Pretty much a stripper "muscle" car these days. Sticker was right around 33K back in '09. Don't know if it was ordered by the dealer but it sat on the lot for over 6 months.

Probably because $33k is too much for a stripper, and I've seen lots of them, highly optioned or not, sitting for long periods of time anyway because Chrysler has/had them priced too high in general. When you can get a V8 Mustang for $10k less why buy an R/T Challenger? The woman I mentioned before bought her 2010 R/T new for around $25k, and her son was offered an R/T for even less but he couldn't swing it. Too bad this woman didn't hear about that white one. She wanted white and ended up with black.