New Car and Driver issue with Challenger preview

[tekhen]

I saw a painted CF hood a while back(griptuning). As an option and finding someone who knows how to paint it, I think it would be a good idea.

[BobBarry]

My question: will it be a 4-seater or 5-seater?

[Big Country]

I just read the article earlier today, and people need to relax and understand that there are no solid numbers of any kind yet on this car. First off, nobody knows how much it will weigh. Car and Driver made an estimate/guess. Second, it will be on the new LY platform, but since that platform doesn't even exist yet, they made the prototype on a shortened LX platform (they cut approx. 4" from the area behind the drivers seat). Some other interesting statements in the article on the prototype:

1. 20" wheels in front, 21" wheels in the rear
2. Carbon fiber composite hood (hopefully it will make it through to production)
3. The vents on the hood look like they have butterflies that will open and close
4. The R/T in their photoshoot has the 6.1 HEMI
5. They still say rumors are going around that the 6.4 HEMI might make it in
6. Even though it's a shorter platform (they chopped out 4 inches on an LX platform) it's longer in overall length than current LX cars. They did this to keep with a more retro look since that is what people say they want, and having short overhangs in front and behind the wheels didn't keep with that theme, so they added body.
7. It does have a 6spd manual transmission w/pistol grip shifter
8. It has retro gauges (a mistake in my opinion, and one thing I hate about the new Mustang)
9. They estimate the price at $35k, but I feel this will be for the SRT version, not the R/T. I expect the R/T version with the 5.7 HEMI to be very competitively priced with a Mustang GT.

The new Camaro will also debut along with the Challenger at the NAIAS at the end of January. So the musclecar wars will start before the machines even hit the street.

[drewsg]

I'm really turned off by the tentative 4100lbs curb weight, and 14/20 fuel economy. Such a shame, because it's a stunning car.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Big Country

8. It has retro gauges (a mistake in my opinion, and one thing I hate about the new Mustang).

Retro exterior = good.
Retro interior = no good.

Car interiors were pretty basic, shiny, sloppy, crude and poor at ergonomics. A modern interior is preferred. All I want is the classic exterior look and a retroish dash shape rather than the mini-van open expanse aircraft carrier deck dashes so popular today. But overall, the interior should be modern because modern interiors are soooo good compared with the 60s and 70s.

[BuBbABFP]

hmmm i would love to see the chally under 4k...damn....oh well i guess we gonna have to wait and see if they come out lighter than estimated.

[MikeF]

I just read both C&D and R&T, the Challenger still looks attractive but the weight and size are kind of scary. But in C&D it kind of sounded like the show car is on LX chassis for now so with the shorter LY chassis the weight and size should go down some. The wheels are way too big for me, 18 inches is about the max I can go with. Usually though wheel size goes down from show car to production. Hopefully they will use something like the Tremec T56 in the production car instead of an auto.
In spite of everything, if they keep it simple and don't load it with much electronics it will be a great car and I will have one.
I am optimistic that it will turn out good, in fact enough so that I am putting my 2000 Mustang Cobra R on the market next month.

[Slide It]

I just read the article on this car in C&D, and I have seen the spy photos online....and all I can say is that im stoked for the Challenger. It has always been my favorite old-school muscle car and this concept is spot-on. I really wanna see where this goes, I may be trading in my STi for it.

[sorbs]

Originally Posted by Big Country

I just read the article earlier today, and people need to relax and understand that there are no solid numbers of any kind yet on this car. First off, nobody knows how much it will weigh. Car and Driver made an estimate/guess. Second, it will be on the new LY platform, but since that platform doesn't even exist yet, they made the prototype on a shortened LX platform (they cut approx. 4" from the area behind the drivers seat).

Actually the LY is alive an well..it is the current gen Mercedes E-Class...take a look at the new CLS and you can see what can be done on that platform. MB considers the CLS a coupe, with 4 doors.

[floored-it]

Originally Posted by BobBarry

My question: will it be a 4-seater or 5-seater?

One of mine too. If the car is going to be so large, then I wonder if the back seat will be a bench or buckets like the mustang. I'm also hoping for lighter than 4100lbs ! Cmon DC, don't saddle it w/ a bunch of extra flab, just give it what counts. That should also help to keep it affordable.