Challenger Powertrain Question - Part 1 - Choose your Powertrain

[weekend retreat]

I'm 54, have two Corvettes, but will put my deposit down today for a Challenger should they be built. ( Finally at a point in life where this is possible after wanting a Hemi Challenger in 1970. Did not have the financial means at the time. )

[Kevinz44]

Some people call it retro. I consider it bringing back a vital piece of car history, with all the benefits of modern day technological advancements.

I love this car very much but goodness do I really HATE those large super sized wheels! Definetly not my thing on an otherwise, near perfect car.

Please build it Dodge!

[Raven]

I chose the 425 hp with the 6 speed. The only other drivetrain I would buy would be if it had even MORE hp.

Too much is just enough.

[Gargoile]

Not to belittle the SRT-8 name plate. But I would love to see this car offered in the T/A as a replacement to the SRT-8 . Why you ask.... well there will be so many kinds of SRT-8's out there that if someone asks you what you drive and you say " I drive a T/A" Right there and then they know what you have and what you drive. As if you say " I have an SRT-8", the next questions will be, 300C, Jeep, Charger, etc

In retrospect, if you think what the T/A option was, its what the SRT option is today. Not just a fast line car, buy a car you can run on a road coarse. I would love to drive this car at VIR

If there will be a T/A option offered, I will place a deposit down TODAY !

Please don't let the DCX accounting dept screw this up.

[6PackRunner]

Bring back the Challanger with the choices we had on the origonal, three or four engine choices and 2 or 3 tranny choices. Give the customer back the choice of options.

[M3SMG02]

Originally Posted by Big Country

They have already started a whole new generation of Mopar fanatics with the SRT-4. The SRT-4 brought a lot of individuals into a Dodge for the first time. That's why it's so important for them to get the Challenger right, so that as the people move up from something like the SRT-4, they can keep it in the family and get a Challenger.

You're Quite Right...I forgot about the SRT4.

The new Dodge Caliber should ramp things up from the Neon based cars as well. Good for Dodge.

The Challenger Base V6 Model should do well, if priced right. Hope the LY Chassis doesn't cost D/C too much to implement on a Production Line. I for one would wait a year or so do get the Challenger on the LY Chassis, if it means a lighter, better tracking, handling ride.

Speaking of Kids, how about my suggestion for a light weight, high revving 4.7 L Hemi w/ Cylinder deactivation for great gas mileage, in a "T/A" model, instead of the V6?

Hmmmm?

LJB

[Hemidakota]

Neither of the powertrains in the poll - 6.4ltr and T-56N Manual tranny.

[M3SMG02]

Originally Posted by 6PackRunner

Bring back the Challanger with the choices we had on the origonal, three or four engine choices and 2 or 3 tranny choices. Give the customer back the choice of options.

Don't go too crazy on these Single Options choices. They can get out of hand when it comes time to BUILD these cars, and drive the prices up.

The reason for Packages is simple. They are much easier to track and build on a production line than piecing together individual, totally unique cars.

I do recall some pretty retarded MoPar Muscle cars back in the day, like some horrid color combos, and wierd engine/trans/diff set ups.

If you want a lightweight Muscle Car, you CAN get it. The 300C/SRT8 can be had with NO optional packages. It still has all the BASE equipment on it, of course, but very few people would want the car without them.

LJB

[M3SMG02]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

Neither of the powertrains in the poll - 6.4ltr and T-56N Manual tranny.

Even if they were thinking about a 6.4 L Hemi in the Challenger, they wouldn't mention it NOW, as it would tip too much of their hand. People would start speculating on seeing 6.4 L Hemis in EVERYTHING, which could have the effect of depressing sales of existing SRT8 models. They don't want to sell futures, they want to sell CARS.

Seeing how our group reacts to the 6.1 L will give them info enough IF they're planning on including the 6.4 in the Challenger.

IMHO

LJB

[joescat]

I voted 425 / auto.
You just can't put out a car like this, and have it underpowered! "Hey look it's the new Challenger. Oh, it only has ____ much power?!" ugh. Just cannot do it. But yeah I know, have to appeal to the masses. But, to try and make a "statement car" like the Challenger, yet try and appeal to the masses with a V6? Utter irony. Dodge has to nail it with this one. The Charger has broken ground, the Challenger has to cement in the foundation.

But, I chose the "manumatic" for pretty much the same reasons though, to appeal to the masses. Too many people are afraid of manual trans nowadays. Personally, I like manual shift when I'm in the mood, but during the daily commute, in traffic, with coffee cup - it's very inconvenient to always need the right hand free for shifting, and with a six speed, even more often. The manumatic gives a little of both worlds, and it's a decent trans so far (Charger). But, tweak it, reducing the excessive torque management and computer nanny'ing, and allow it to behave a little more like a manual when using the autostick.