Rising to the Challenger: Detroit auto show debut for Dodge muscle coupe concept
BOB GRITZINGER
Posted Date: 11/20/05




To all those purists who still can’t forgive Dodge for building a four-door Charger, here’s your answer: the 2006 Dodge Challenger concept. The Dodge boys released a sketch of the car to the world, but we obtained these exclusive spy photos of the car, which will premiere at the North American International Auto Show in January in Detroit.



Challenger draws on the 1970 model as the icon of the series, says Tom Tremont of Chrysler’s Pacifica studio in California. But instead of merely recreating that car, designers tried to build the Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye, without imperfections like the tucked under wheels and long front overhang of the old car. At the same time, the concept incorporates distinctive Challenger cues like the rear fender kick, wide mouth front end, functional hood scoops and rectangular exhaust tips.

Built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger chassis (116-inch wheelbase vs. 120 inches), the Challenger gets a 6.1-liter Hemi hooked to a six-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter.

All that’s left to ponder is “will they build it?” With all the hardware in place and a primed marketplace, we can’t see why Dodge wouldn’t rise to this challenge.

 

ME LIKE MUCHO!!!!
Ted

 

I agree it looks great......but let's not forget that Ford also did a great-looking retro-Mustang that, quality-wise, turned out to be a POS.

As always....I'll withhold further comments until I can see it and drive it....but right of the bat, yes...It DOES look great. And I know.....like the Mustang, I grew up with the original Challenger. In high school, one of my best friends got a brand-new 1970 Challenger 440 six-pack...bright purple.

 

I agree with you mmarshall. I feel the styling is perfect! That great combo of heritage and technology. Now we just need to see the final product.

I also, would like to see this released in Plum Crazy Purple!

 

i was thinking the samething once i saw the chrome around the windows that its just not gonna be the same quality as before...the cars felt stronger back then

def looks really nice...

 

That's almost TOO retro... Looks good though.

 

That is probably the best retro-styled modern vehicle so far.

Too bad it's Dodge though; I second that quality comment as stated above

 

That's what they should have done for the Charger.

 

I'm diggin' it

 

I like it

 

I like it, but I think the headlights should look alittle diffrent, I guess they look too old school for my taste, other than that it looks " smashing! "

 

If this car has any quality whatsoever, and if they do a Plum Crazy purple or Tor-Lime Green version like the 1970, my Outback goes on the used-car market and I'll be first in line with my checkbook. But you guys know me...I'm not an impulse buyer, and I don't recommend vehicles to others impulsively either. Yes, this car strikes an emotional cord with me, but it will have to prove itself.

 

Can I second that please, I will be right smack behind you if it looks anything like this picture. Oh and I am an impulse buyer with anything that grabs me so yes this one would surely be added to my garage I LOVE IT!. To expect the interior to be of good quality may be a bit much to expect from them, so for me if its just half decent I'm all over it, again provided it keeps the overall look of the one shown above.

They have to do this car, they just have to. No other retro got / have me excited like this charger does. it would be awesome to see these on the street, with custom paint, big deep dish wheels screaming down the hwy. Ok let me not get my hopes up here its not even anywhere near production and besides who knows the extent they will tone down what we see here.

 

Only THIS time, with the 2-door Challenger, Dodge apparantly has gotten it right. To do a 4-door Charger IMO is to insult the original one.

 

This car looks great - it sounds like it will be a true muscle-car, and DCX is the company that has the guts to make it happen. They have a good history as of late of driving the concept right into the showrooms. If they keep it close to this concept then they will sell a ton of these things!! Big problem for Ford though... Who the heck will want a 'Stang when these become available?? I'm anxiously awaiting GM's kick at the retro pony-car war - the next Camaro, you just know it is coming. It will be on the "zeta-light" rwd platform same as the next fleet of rwd midsize GM's (yes, they really are coming...) and should be a performer wil LS series power.... Except I seriously expect the styling to suck... But DCX has hit it out of the park with this concept. I want a black one with white hood striping.