Autoextremist.com has nothing nice to say

[rodkil1]

Quote autoextremist.com,

It was a good run, but Chrysler's role as industry design leader officially comes to an end in Detroit. It seems like we have been talking about Chrysler design excellence for a long time now - and we have. From the glory days of the product renaissance led by Bob Lutz and Tom Gale to as recently as two years ago, Chrysler could always be counted on to deliver great stuff for the major auto shows - no matter how mediocre and uninspiring their street vehicles were. But as in all great runs, nothing lasts forever - and the wheels came off Chrysler's golden design era with a thud at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.
First of all, the Challenger, though obviously calculated to be an improvement on the original in every respect, was far too literal in the flesh. Yes, it was cool and everything, but Chip Foose could have easily created something just like it in his shop. And the fact that Chrysler designers went around "fixing" all of the things that were wrong on the original and stopped there, left them no room to take the car further or "reach" with it in the future. The Challenger garnered lots of attention for Chrysler in the weeks leading up to the show, but by the time the actual media days arrived, it came off as a one-off custom hot rod designed to add a little eye candy to the Dodge display - and nothing more.



I agree with everythinge he said but I like how DCX did it. Later in the artical he went on to praise the Camaro Concept so he may be a little bias.

[Kruzn]

Yeah, I saw that too. Normally I agree with most of what Peter has to say regarding the auto industry, but I think he is wrong about the Challenger. But, at the same time, he might be right about the Camaro. While I greatly prefer the Challenger, I have to admit the Camaro is not bad. Time will tell if either one actually makes it to production (I'd bet on the Challenger for sure, maybe on the Camaro).

Regardless of anyone's opinion, the real test of product success is in the sales numbers. So I say, build 'em all and let the market decide! (They should put that Imperial back in the barn though!)

[rodkil1]

I agree 100%. They also had this to say in fumes:

A New Trans-Am Series? It's now or never.
Now that Chevrolet has taken the wraps off its new Camaro and Chrysler has resurrected the Dodge Challenger at this week's 2006 Detroit Auto Show, the SCCA should start planning a new Trans-Am series for the 2008 season - which would allow GM, Ford and Chrysler to square-off against each other with factory-supported teams. Right now the Trans-Am is basically dead, with Champ Car having decided to drop the series from its roster - it's now a race series without a home.
So the powers that be need to decide what they want to do. If they want the Trans-Am to be revived in all of its glory, the planning should start right now to debut the new version in the 2008 season - the year Camaro and Challenger will be joining Mustang on the street. I would do "throw-back" rules too. No carbon tubs, restricted, production-based engine/transmissions and tight aerodynamic specifications. The interesting thing is that the SPEED World Challenge GT rules are closer to the original 60s Trans-Am rules than the most recent Trans-Am series rules.
A unified series (Trans-Am, SPEED World GT) would make the most sense, of course, but given the politics involved I would be shocked if that would ever happen. It would be ideal, but in lieu of that, a rejuvenated Trans-Am series with factory-supported teams featuring the latest re-born muscle cars from Detroit, with the country's best road racers at the wheel, would be boffo box office.
Somebody out there is listening - and if you need me to moderate the summit meeting to get the factories on the same page I'd be glad to do it.
But mark my words, if the Trans-Am series isn't revised to coincide with the return of these legendary street machines, then it will fade away forever.


... A new Trans-am would be so cool

[BobBarry]

Mandate that the race-cars could only use production blocks, heads, transmissions and suspension components.

THEN you could be certain that the road-cars would get the manual transmissions...

[Yankee]

Well as they say, opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one...

I suppose this guy is upset that the Mitsubishi-badged Challenger's design from 1978-83 (remember those?) wasn't incorporated in the new prototype somewhere...?

[Andrew]

I hate to admit it, but I think hes right about the new challenger.
Pretty much all they did is a bulked up version of the '70 challenger with a new grille and funny looking taillight.

[MentallyChallenged]

Not saying anything until I see both of them next week....

Would never buy a Camaro though. Too many bad memories of greasy guys with gold chains in Detroit driving Dudemaros in the 80s....

[LawFive]

Gosh, do I care about what industry-focused critics and reporters think about a concept or a production car? Lemme think. Okay, got it. NOT! For the same reason I'm not wearing everything that Mr. Blackwell likes. (Well, also because he only talks about girl clothes...)

Bring it, Dodge. Time for Daddy to own a Mopar.

[BlackRT]

It's simply an opinion. In my opinion a bad one. The fact is, recently DCX has a good history of building concepts that become production cars (okay, let's not mention the Charger). I think the design of the new Challenger shows their intent to build it. However, when was the last time you saw GM adhere to a concept and build it? GM has had a number of cool Corvette, Camaro and T/A concepts over the years that never made it to showroom floors mainly because the design of the cars were way beyond what their production capabilities were. At least DCX is being realistic with their Challenger concept. I seriously doubt a new Camaro will look like the new concept, if they build one at all. Everyone knows GM's Chevrolet line has never been known for outrageous looks. They have always left that to Pontiac.

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I hate to admit it, but I think hes right about the new challenger.
Pretty much all they did is a bulked up version of the '70 challenger with a new grille and funny looking taillight.

Yea, and I love it. Nice work DC.