Dodge Challenger to be Low Production V8

[Big Country]

I'm not thinking for a minute that any pony car will ever take the sales crown over from the Mustang, because they won't. I'm talking about taking some market share, and the more you can get, the better.

The fact that DCX drove the Challenger around in CA recently to some popular Hot Rod car shows should be another indication that they are going to build this car. Why waste your time doing that if you aren't going to build it? They just want to get everybody's attention again and remind us that it's coming, eventually.

DCX is usually able to bring a car to production pretty quickly. Remember, it's one of the big reasons why Daimler wanted to "merge" with Chrysler, was their ability to take a concept car to production form in a very short timeframe. 18 months is probably a good timeframe, considering other vehicles have been brought to market in that duration.

I say make the R/T version right around $30k, with the SRT version (or T/A, whatever they decide to name it), coming in around $36-$37k.

I don't know...only time will answer a lot of the questions we have, but I would be shocked if they didn't build it. I don't think DCX could run the risk of shooting themselves in the foot at this point and pi#%ing off a bunch of diehard Mopar fans and potential customers if they didn't build it considering the overwhelming positive response they have received for the Challenger.

[Rallye72]

For all of us I hope you are correct. I'd just be careful with the analysis (i.e. not over optimistic). 1st I'd say that the company gets along fine without "us" given the outcry over the Charger and the fact that they're still selling them and making money. They don't need the niche market, but they can certainly take advantage of it if it appears profitable. Despite the claims of many on this forum when it comes time to plunk down the green there'll be fewer than one may think. 30k ain't peanuts - for most.
I'm also not sure that just because they show the car around that means anything in particular. It's good publicity and provides feedback for nervous management and accounting types but that could not be a good thing also.
If production is really 18 months down the line what exactly are they going to do to keep interest up? I seem to recall the other Charger concept car got flashed a lot but ultimately never showed up. Lots of other interesting cars will come along over the next 18 or so months methinks.

As you say, time will tell.

cheers,
Rallye

[Big Country]

Don't discount the outcry from the Mopar fans about the Charger being a 4 door sedan (although I think it's a great car). That is one of the main reasons why the Challenger went so retro in it's design, was because of that very thing. So they do listen, sometimes it just might not seem like it.

By the way, the latest rumor, stemming from an insider at Allpar, and made in a post by Hemidakota over on srtforums, is that the Challenger will possibly hit production lines in March of 07. Of course you have to take that with a grain of salt for now, but there could be something to it.

[DubleDex]

I would imagine that they're still fighting the bean counters to get it done. The simple fact (as car sales have shown) is that two-doors don't sell. That's why most of them disappeared. The Mustang is the exception that proves the rule. It's the only two-door vehicle that has consistently sold well throughout the years. So building the Challenger is a huge risk.

Not to mention, gas prices have everyone a little edgy. And I would imagine that DCX is watching that situation very closely. If the target release date for this car (moving quickly) would be 2008 model year, they have to consider what the oil landscape will be then. If gas is gonna be $6 per gallon at that time, I don't care how freaking cool the Challenger is, only rich people are going to buy it to park it next to their Hummer (but not the H1, since that's done now!).

As for the old (1999) Charger concept that everyone loved, that was clearly a total "concept." The fact that they put a compressed natural gas engine in it indicates that they were never all that serious about building it. And, it wasn't too terribly long after that concept that the Chrysler / Dodge brand overhaul took place. With the 300 and Magnum and that new look. Which means they had been planning that for a long time. So that particular Charger concept (which everyone loved DESPITE the fact that it was also a 4-door) never would've fit in with the new line up. It would've looked old before it was even new (think about the current GTO - it looks like a car from 1992).

Like everyone else, I'm just waiting to hear an official announcement.

[sniper226]

I hear ya on 2-doors. I bought an early model Grand Prix in 97. It is a 98 model. I believe that was the last model year that they offered a 2-door.

Don't completely discount 2-doors though. Look at the Impala/Monte Carlo. I believe they have sold quite a bit of them as well.

[Ragamuffin]

Well, if DCX wants to really make a smart move and improve their posture and sales they should Quickly employ 'Burningman' and implement his Dodge Charger R/T Coupe: even an SRT version with Twin Turbos !!!

[allhemi]

Not a smart move DCX......If your going to go after this market then go after it.....If not dont build it and piss off alot of people because they cant buy it!

[taimopar]

Hi Everret, I think you got the right idea for DCX. The three four-door sedans, such as Magnum, Charger, and 300C have too much overlap, better use the capacity for a winner like the Challenger.

[The_Legend_Lives]

like everyone says, i can guarantee you that IF a challenger is built, assuming they dont screw it up, and has a 392 or close to, it will be in the $32,000+ range. the only thing that will let this car compete with the camaro and stang is looks and power(which it kills the other 2 pony cars in both categories). thats my 2 cents.

[BJoe]

If they make a it a niche vehicle or overprice it, I just won't buy it. I'd honestly take the Magnum first (which is going to get a Caliber type grill from what I've seen) and maybe try and get the older (current) front clip for it.