My two cents on R/T vs. SRT:
I completely understand people wanting the R/T to be the top model of this vehicle, harkening back to its roots. And, emotionally, that makes a lot of sense. But from a marketing/brand standpoint, it would be counterproductive for DCX to do that.
Back in the day, the R/T badge stood for something. It was the most bad-ass of vehicles you could get from Dodge. It had something lurking under the hood that would eat you up, spit you out then laugh at you.
And, in more modern times, there have been some nice R/T badged vehicles. The Spirit R/T, Daytona R/T, Stealth R/T - all top-end, FAST versions of those vehicles. As it should be.
But then R/T kinda lamed out. You've got the Intrepids and the Neons and the Dakotas with that badge. NOT bad vehicles by any means. But certainly not the kind of pavement pounding vehicles that strike the fear into Chevy and Ford owners. Just nicer, slightly faster, slightly sportier versions of their lesser counterparts.
Then Dodge unleashed the SRTs. These are what R/T USED TO BE. These are the cars that take performance to the pinnacle of what's possible. They've spent a LOT of time and money developing SRT vehicles and making sure everyone KNOWS they'll make ANY one of their vehicles an SRT version. And when they do it, they're gonna do it right and they're gonna do it hardcore.
Sure, all the people who have a love of the original Challenger and its roots know that the R/T is the one you want. But this car isn't only going to be purchased by purists. This car is going to be bought by anyone looking for a bad ass ride. And if they DON'T badge it with SRT, then there are going to be a lot of people wondering where they top-end, bad-ass model is and why Dodge didn't do it with this vehicle... a PRIME candidate for the full SRT treatment.
If they don't do it, it will go against everything they've been working to accomplish over the last couple years. It would appease a small minority, but ultimately damage their ability to sell this car.
So, I think it classic "sleeper" fashion, the purists should buy the SRT version, strip the badges and maybe throw some R/T badges up on it. That way it looks like their beloved classic AND behaves like the King of the Street and Strip... also like their beloved classic.
