By Jacqui Madelin
The business case is being presented to DaimlerChrysler management for production next year.
The Dodge Challenger is back - and it could come to New Zealand.
Developed in response to complaints that last year's four-door Charger was too boring, the show-stopping muscle car is based on a shortened version of Chrysler's 300C rear-drive platform.
The aim was to blend historic cues and bold graphics to build a vehicle with the attributes people remember - but without the flaws. .
To aid the design task, a 1970 Challenger was parked in the Chrysler Group's West Coast Pacifica studio and Jeff Godshall, a young designer at the studio when the first Challenger was created, was drawn into the project.
Vice-president of Advanced Vehicle Design, Tom Trement, said a key was to avoid the old car's tucked-under wheels and long front overhang. Thus this car sits on a 2946mm wheelbase.
It's 152mm longer and 50mm wider than the original car, with track increased to 1625 and 1651mm to enhance that purposeful look.
Principal exterior designer Michael Castiglione said, "We wanted to stay pure, with simple, minimal line work, but with everything just right."
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Source: The New Zealand Herald
21.01.06
By Jacqui Madelin