NEW Challenger pre-production photos

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by firstmethod

On one hand Woo hoo!! On the other.. rats, I was hoping the B-pillar on the SS concept was a fluke! Come on guys! Why!

You know, I'm thinking that these are most likely racing models or protoypes :like for the Busch series we heard about some months ago !! Think back to the 70's when the T/A was built ! Dodge had to produce a certain number for the public in order to make them for racing: correct ???Although I'm no expert by any measure , I am thinking this B-Pillar is necessary for rigidity and/or to support the roll cage for racing series' safety reasons ??????? With the B Pillars there, they are definetly not, repeat Not production models. Production models won't have a B-pillar and the gas tank in the trunk. That's virtually a no-brainer ; besides how would one get the spare tire out ? Surely, the designer[s] don't want people removing a gas tank to get the spare tire out !! !

[RRHemi]

Wouldn't the spare go on top of the gas tank? The GTO has the gas tank stood up behind the back seat. The rear seats do not fold down! Could they be pulling the same trick and that well be for the spare?
I don't see why they would be stamping body parts for race cars. They should be working on getting this thing nailed down for production. I can't see how the window would roll down with those stampings. Typical cost cutting design.
It's not a show stopper for me.

[KY-Daytona]

Originally Posted by Ragamuffin

You know, I'm thinking that these are most likely racing models or protoypes :like for the Busch series we heard about some months ago !! Think back to the 70's when the T/A was built ! Dodge had to produce a certain number for the public in order to make them for racing: correct ???Although I'm no expert by any measure , I am thinking this B-Pillar is necessary for rigidity and/or to support the roll cage for racing series' safety reasons ??????? With the B Pillars there, they are definetly not, repeat Not production models. Production models won't have a B-pillar and the gas tank in the trunk. That's virtually a no-brainer ; besides how would one get the spare tire out ? Surely, the designer[s] don't want people removing a gas tank to get the spare tire out !! !

You know, I haven't seen many Busch cars with doors and door handles...

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by KY-Daytona

You know, I haven't seen many Busch cars with doors and door handles...

Oh yeah, I see your point .How are the Busch cars made; with a solid piece from front to back ? In one picture the door space looks extremely tight; too tight to open ! Maybe the door handles could be covered over ! Oh, I give up !!!

[firstmethod]

Originally Posted by RRHemi

I can't see how the window would roll down with those stampings. Typical cost cutting design.
It's not a show stopper for me.

I really think this is a shadow of things to come. It is definitely a mule but the mule will be built from production stampings. We can expect a B-pillar and very likely no rollable rear window. I really don't care about the window but the pillar is extremely annoying since it cuts up the smooth look of the car. I guess I'll just have to see it on the show room floor before I decide.

One way to offset the pillar is to order a gloss black car and tint the windows, that way the pillar actually looks like part of the window. (Another benefit of a black car is it also neutralizes the pixar smile). Since black is one of my favored colors I may just do this.

[TBONE24]

I have been in assembly plants before and seen pre- production body shells sitting . And when the real models came out they were very close in the way they looked at the plant. So i would say the way you see it will be the way it is going to be built. My GTO has a b-pillar and looks great and with window tint is not really that noticable.

[wirewilly]

Maybe these are SS Challengers. B-pillars for added strength.

[rcaponong]

I remember either reading or hearing Mike Castiglione saying the production Challenger will have a B-pillar, which he was very disappointed about. Regardless, that shell looks fantastic. Next spring can't get here soon enough.

[nextchall]

I HATE THE B PILLAR. If the Camaro has none , it's STRIKE ONE against the CHALLENGER! THREE STRIKES AND YOU ARE OUT!

[RRHemi]

It looks like there will not be much of that pillar visible if they black it out.