Can Dodge Build The Charger That Charger-Lovers Crave?

[Rustymuscle]

SLTV Explores The Question: Can Dodge Build A True Two-Door, Full-Sized, 426 HEMI-Powered, Manually-Shifted, Hardtop Dodge Charger? We Think You'll Like The Answer!



In 2005, when the new Charger was released, people were upset at a four-door sedan being christened after one of the brand's most iconic muscle cars (a vehicle that carries more lasting screen presence than any other automobile ever), but not enough to make a difference. The market for a performance-oriented four-door sedan eclipses that of a full-sized, two-door coupe, and since Dodge is in the business of selling cars, it only made sense to a build car that met the need of the largest number of potential buyers.

A bitter pill for us hardcore enthusiasts to swallow is the reality that Dodge will never scrap the four-door Charger in lieu of a coupe, but may consider offering a limited run of two-doors, like a Special Heritage Edition if say, a concept vehicle was campaigned around the national car shows and through the media that was met with substantial fanfare.

Just some fun food for thought,
Kevin

[Zentelis]

I had the same thought when I saw the new '11 SRT8.. "They got the back half right, finally"...but that Ram grill still kills me (though on the SRT8 I think it blends pretty well in black)

If they ever offer a different grill option, I'll buy one =)

[Patronus]

Obviously not yet 

[BigBlackDodge]

They need to start over......from scratch.

Adding styling ques from the older versions is a half assed approach in making this car appear to be a 'Charger'. It still has that horrible front end and who ever decided it was a good idea to keep that should be bound up chains and drug behind a flaming '73 Pinto.

I have zero faith in Chrsyler making a 'retro' Charger like they did the Challenger.


BBD

[70charginglizard]

to me its always been about the doors. If theyd just offer a 2 door option id be happy with the current version. Theyve got it to a point where I'm happy with the styling...other then the extra two doors

[DAY CLONA]

When it looks like this, then I'll line up to buy one

[pipeliner]

That Chager looks ok but the nose is too short and kind of looks like a Mustang and it needs the Coke bottle body lines which gives the Charger its distinct look.

[Patronus]

Just needs that wide-body kit like this:

[Rustymuscle]

I disagree with the "they need to start over from scratch" argument. The current platform lends itself to a broad array of innovation, and the latest R/T Charger drives impressively well. Even those previous model Charger owners ('06-'10) agree. I got behind the wheel of the new R/T and was really impressed. The experience actually motivated much of this "brainstorm" article.

[skip68]

I don't care how fast or how great a car handles, you still have to look at it and be seen in it.  What the hell is the problem with Dodge? Quit the dam baby steps, dicking around, and just build the dam car like they did the Challenger or shut up about it. Sorry but that's how I feel about Dodge and their charger. 

[Mikesmoparperformance]

Yes they can looks way better

[Mikesmoparperformance]

When it looks like this, then I'll line up to buy one

Awesome car!

[DC_1]

I like this chop of the current design. Holds true to some of the 2nd gen cues

I like no "B" pillar, the door scallops and the C pillars

[Charger-Bodie]

I like this chop of the current design. Holds true to some of the 2nd gen cues

I like no "B" pillar, the door scallops and the C pillars

Yep! Thats Cool! I would own that.

[1969chargerrtse]

When it looks like this, then I'll line up to buy one

Awesome car!

Very nice but needs a little more "Coke bottle " curve.

[1969chargerrtse]

I like this chop of the current design. Holds true to some of the 2nd gen cues

I like no "B" pillar, the door scallops and the C pillars

Yep! Thats Cool! I would own that.

[Patronus]

I like this chop of the current design. Holds true to some of the 2nd gen cues

I like no "B" pillar, the door scallops and the C pillars

Nice Neon

[pipeliner]

I like this chop of the current design. Holds true to some of the 2nd gen cues

I like no "B" pillar, the door scallops and the C pillars

Some of you guys would be OK with anything that had 2 doors on it and said Charger.The car looks OK from the side but it its like a woman that has no ass,I dont like it.It has more of a hatchback look to it.Where in the hell would you put coolers full of beer or groceries in?Definately not in that trunk.Whats the front end of it look like?


Nice Neon

[Roger 68 charger]

They need to start over......from scratch.

Adding styling ques from the older versions is a half assed approach in making this car appear to be a 'Charger'. It still has that horrible front end and who ever decided it was a good idea to keep that should be bound up chains and drug behind a flaming '73 Pinto.

I have zero faith in Chrsyler making a 'retro' Charger like they did the Challenger.


BBD

I hope they never make a Retro Charger that looks like the 2ND Gen.

Like the challenger----the average person has a hard time telling the difference between the new ones and the older ones--They are even making a kit to make the newer challenger look like the older ones.

What I love about driving my car is that I can drive around all summer and not pull up to another one at a stop light.

just my  

[Rustymuscle]

This may sound weird, but Dodge wouldn't likely build a wholly retro - as you mentioned Roger, the Challenger already satisfies that "throw-back" market - but the styling steps being taken to bring classic cues into the new Charger (the single door scallop, classic shoulderline, and wide wrap-around taillight) can be taken further, particularly in the grille and front clip.

[DC_1]

Nice Neon

Neon??? .......are we looking at the same image because that looks nothing like a neon.

[firefighter3931]

The 2011 is a step in the right direction. 

I'm liking the hood/door scallops and new tail panel. 

My GF wants one....maybe in a few years when they hit the used lots   



Ron

[200MPH]

i agree with FF it is a step in the right direction!

[DustinSimmonds]

In my opinion, the new Challenger is just kind of a modern "copy" of the old one. With the Charger, I want a car that has the spirit and the styling cues of the Charger but keeps it fresh.

[bull]

SLTV Explores The Question: Can Dodge Build A True Two-Door, Full-Sized, 426 HEMI-Powered, Manually-Shifted, Hardtop Dodge Charger? We Think You'll Like The Answer!

Just some fun food for thought,
Kevin

The question has never been "can" Dodge build a Charger That Charger-Lovers love. It has always been "will" Dodge build it. They "can" do anything they want but so far they obviously have not wanted to.

[doctor4766]

Perhaps they bit off more than they could chew when some high ranking Chrysler executive decided to put the motion forward at 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon to call the new 4 door sedan version of the Magnum a Charger, with a 2 door having never been on the agenda.
Now since it was 4.00pm on a Friday and the board members were all keen to head down to the local strip club for a few beers at knock off time a unanimous decision was made to carry the motion through.
Never did they realise that the repercussions of their decision would be scorned so widely as it has been.
particularly here on dc.com lol

[Ants]

Even if you make it a wide body i think it's still ugly as hell. I would rather have an 08 then the 2011, the grill is just ugly and sticks out, i even think the tail lights are ugly.  
I'll stay with my 300c untill i can get a challenger.

http://www.unyqueautoforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=40150

http://dubdaily.com/?p=35580

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3916416/2011-dodge-charger-r-t

[UH60L]

Perhaps they bit off more than they could chew when some high ranking Chrysler executive decided to put the motion forward at 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon to call the new 4 door sedan version of the Magnum a Charger, with a 2 door having never been on the agenda.
Now since it was 4.00pm on a Friday and the board members were all keen to head down to the local strip club for a few beers at knock off time a unanimous decision was made to carry the motion through.
Never did they realise that the repercussions of their decision would be scorned so widely as it has been.
particularly here on dc.com lol

Crazily enough, there is some truth to your post.  It's probably been linked to or psoted already (in fact, i may have already linked to it.... ) but here is the link to a video where one of the designers/engineers of the 2005/2006 car states that it would ahev looked far different had they known ahead of time that it would be called a charger.

http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1507

I agree that the 2011 car is a huge improvement, but it may end up being too little too late.  Whta I mean is, if THAT car had been released in 2006, I might have bought one, but I'm so sickenned and p-oed about the last 5 years worth of chrysler execs saying "it's not meant to be an "old charger" or a "muscle car"" and then ...."but we're gonna advertise the hemi engine and make "packages" called superbee and daytona and sell it like ti was an "old charger" and a muscle car"....that I just don't think I could ever buy one that didn't come with two doors, dual scallops on said doors, and doesn't look like stinking dodge truck on the front end.

I'm not a big stick shift guy, but it should be an option at least.  Quite frankly I'm kinda tired of the whole "hemi" sales pitch too.  I'd love to see a modern 440 or 383 show up.

I guess the best way to say it is, if your gonna go retro on a car like a charger, you really can't go just a little bit retro.  You either have to go all the way or don't go at all.  That's my two pennies. 

So, how about those "R/T" mini-vans they got this year.......   (is there no "face palm" smiley?  there should be)

[Mike DC]

  
Dead horse.  Dead horse.  


5 years ago Daimler/Chrysler openly said they had simply applied an old name to a new unrelated car because the name tested well.

Everybody seems to remember the whole thing as a case of the company misleading the public.  That was never intentionally done.  They said "Yes it's called a Charger but it won't be a retro car."  But the public only heard what they wanted to hear until the car came out.  

[aussiemuscle]

Maybe if dodge dont want to remove the rear doors, maybe they could HIDE them? Mazda's RX8 looks like a two door, but it's actually got 4.

to really pacify the 69 charger enthusiasts, they'd be better off getting dynacorn to license building turn-key 69 replicas. because we know some of you will never be happy.

[UH60L]

Maybe if dodge dont want to remove the rear doors, maybe they could HIDE them? Mazda's RX8 looks like a two door, but it's actually got 4.

to really pacify the 69 charger enthusiasts, they'd be better off getting dynacorn to license building turn-key 69 replicas. because we know some of you will never be happy.

I didn't start this thread, I just gave my honest opinion.

Doing a google search fro this site, the second result you get is for this forum and right under the naem is this text:

"A community for fans of the classic Dodge Charger"

I can only assume this text was removed from this site not long ago and the cached version of the site in google still shows it.

IE, this is, or was until recently, "A community for fans of the classic Dodge Charger".

Thus making a statement like "to really pacify the 69 charger enthusiasts, they'd be better off getting dynacorn to license building turn-key 69 replicas. because we know some of you will never be happy." is nothing but trolling, in my opinion.

It's like walking into a 7/11 and telling the customers you don't like slurpees, and that they should be outlawed.

[UH60L]

 
Dead horse.  Dead horse.  


5 years ago Daimler/Chrysler openly said they had simply applied an old name to a new unrelated car because the name tested well.

Everybody seems to remember the whole thing as a case of the company misleading the public.  That was never intentionally done.  They said "Yes it's called a Charger but it won't be a retro car."  But the public only heard what they wanted to hear until the car came out.  

I'll see your two dead horses, and raise you two more:

Dead horse. Dead horse.

By responding your just as guilty as the rest of us for continuing to beat said horse.     But since you did, I'll respond to your comments.

Firstly, your first sentence is correct, but they didn't "come right out" and say it, they said it only AFTER they recieved all the hate mail.  (and read the magazine articles)

Secondly, the car was mostly built before the name was applied to it, as per the chrysler engineer in the video I linked to above that hit the web and TV this past February.  There was no announcment ahead of time to the public that the car would be "called a Charger but it won't be a retro car".  People heard about a "new charger" coming out.  The only thing anyone had seen was the '99 concept car, and noone knew what the car would look like.  They just knew it would be a "new charger".  Most people would never think of the car that was released in 2005/2006 as a charger (at least not prior to 2005/2006).  Most people would associate that name with cars they remembered, such as the car from Bullit, or the Dukes of Hazzard, or even Dirty Mary.  Thus, in a way, yes, they misled people.  Intentionally?  Probably not completely.  A lot of it probably had to do with not releasing too much info on the new car before they wanted to, and I can completely understand that.

Then, after saying what they did about it "not being a retro car etc etc", they went on to use the "hemi" engine name and packages such as "daytona" and "superbee", that play on the historical chargers, to sell the cars to those who, in my opinion, don't have the same respect for the '60s and '70s cars or just don't care (or are too young to know or care).

That is my opinion, though much of it is based in fact.

So, 4 Dead horses to you, two to stay in.  Deuces are wild, and Dodge is dropping the crosshair grill, so who knows what may happen in the future.

[Mike DC]

   
I can't exactly remember the dates on who said what back then.  But I remember that when the 2006 car came out, I had already concluded that it would definitely not be a retro-looking car based on Daimler's statements.  Daimler's feelings were clear.  I'm pretty sure the route that the car's development had taken (develop Benz-based sedan first, choose name randomly from the bin of classic names second) was already public knowledge way before they showed anyone the production car. 

Daimler had also announced that all the existing Mopar concept cars were dead when they first took over.  So there was never any basis for the belief that the production car would mimic the 1999 concept car either.  Once again, people were expecting what they wanted to see instead of what the company said was coming. 


Daimler had made its intentions clear through numerous statements at the time.  They didn't care what Mopar was working on at the time of the takeover nor much about Mopar's past either.  They intended to use it to launch Benz models.  The vintage Mopar press said that it was like pulling teeth to get them to even paint the new Hemi engine orange.  Only the public response, not Daimler's feelings about the matter, caused them to try marketing the Hemi engine name.

[Rustymuscle]

Yeah, but those were the marketing "yes men" at Daimler. Today, there's a very strong contingent - within Dodge itself - of vocal lovers of the classic Second Gen Chargers. The changes made to the '11 are indicators of this philosophy - be them as large or small as they may be.

This philosophy within Dodge - particularly concerning the role of the Dodge Charger - is very different from those years seven or eight years ago. I know because I've interviewed both Ralph Gilles and Pietro Gorlier for Street Legal TV.

Is the new '11 a true retro take on the '70 Charger akin to the '09 Challenger being patterned after the '70 Challenger, no. But it is a good step in the right direction? In my and several persons' opinion, yes.

Unfortunately, there's a vein of thinking that, "If you're not with me, you're against me." That, I think, is why Dodge doesn't and won't take us "classicists" seriously. When Ford threatened to make the Mustang FWD in 1991, the Mustang lovers nearly shut Ford down. The unity of the Mustang enthusiast community was so strong that Ford had no other option to listen them.

[Brock Lee]

Looks more like an eclipse or Cavalier to me. Dodge got it exactly right, in 1969.

[doctor4766]

Perhaps the next gen Charger will satisfy the punters with retro styling like they've done with the Chally, Camaro and Mustangs and this series of Charger wannabe's will be looked back on in the future as the corner they just couldn't paint themselves out of.
Chrysler need to start again on this one or just drop the name completely if they want to save face.

[chargerjy9]

Perhaps the next gen Charger will satisfy the punters with retro styling like they've done with the Chally, Camaro and Mustangs and this series of Charger wannabe's will be looked back on in the future as the corner they just couldn't paint themselves out of.
Chrysler need to start again on this one or just drop the name completely if they want to save face.

they don't care about "saving face" there aren't enough of us Charger purists around to make a difference to them or to buy that car. we are not the intended market. the cross hair grille is going away though. by the way I drove a 2011 Charger R/T Max, what a kick ass car

[Wicked72]

They did right by the challenger duh! So yeah go back to the drawing board and do right by the charger  I still love the new dodge 4 door they just need to change the name.

[Brock Samson]

?? 

[UH60L]

I've been meaning to tell you, Brock, that is one hilarious clip you have in your signature!  My wife saw it and about fell out fo her chair laughing the other day.         

[SRT-68]

When it looks like this, then I'll line up to buy one

I have had this photo on my wall since I first found it.  I will build one when I get some more money. Love the car.