Paladin06

Crowd wild about Challenger

By Eric Harkreader, July 8, 2006


Scott Wellen listened patiently for 20 minutes as a DaimlerChrysler representative described the Dodge Challenger concept car before him.

He had one burning question:

"Does it come with racing stripes?"

Although the rep had an answer -- the car will likely be painted in solid colors when it's released for the 2008 model year -- the question must have been music to his ears.

Wellen and his wife had driven cross-state from Indiana County just to see the orange gloss and black leather monster in person.

It was the culmination to "weeks" of research online, he said. The couple arrived at 7:30 a.m. just to see the car, but had to kill time for two and a half hours at the All-Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle Fairgrounds until the two-ton behemoth was unveiled.

'Definite' buyer



And -- if you even have to ask -- he's already set eyes on one of the 50,000 vehicles slated for the first-run production.

"Definitely. I had one in the '70s and I'm getting one again," Wellen said. By DaimlerChrysler's estimation -- and the reported $1 billion spent designing the Challenger -- he's not alone.

"It's the baby boomers who are finding themselves with empty nests and who are no longer putting their kids through college who are driving" the push for '70s era muscle cars, said Ronald McDaniel, director of advanced service and technical information at DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills, Mich., office.

Dodge is one of several brands produced by DaimlerChrysler. After answering an avalanche of questions, McDaniel was still getting an earful as bystanders listened in on media interviews and lobbed their own queries and suggestions his way.

"You guys are killing me," McDaniel said, as one car enthusiast after another made suggestions on what the final product should be.

Although not finalized and at least a year out from production, the car before him was essentially what consumers will get a chance to buy, he said.

Coy about price

As for a pricetag, McDaniel said only that it would likely compare with the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300, with which it shares the same chassis. Those models start at $22,320 and $23,375, respectively, according to ForbesAutos.com.

But McDaniel was equally quick to point out the differences with the Challenger, which was originally produced from 1970 to 1974. It was the first model year that ranked highest among enthusiasts and upon which the concept version is based. Most notably, the Challenger will be the only coupe that Dodge offers, he said.

And, while it's extremely close to the original -- a little bit larger both inside and out, with shaved off wheel bases and a shorter front end -- there are some differences.

"Unlike the original, this Challenger will stop as quickly as it starts and corner a lot better," McDaniel said. Plans call for a wide range of engine varieties -- everything from a six-cylinder model to the 425-horsepower, V8 model he was touting.

As for fuel efficiency, McDaniel said it's too early to estimate, adding the technology is changing rapidly. The Charger gets between 14 and 19 miles per gallon in city driving and 20 and 27 mpg on the highway while the 300 gets between 17 and 19 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 and 27 on the open road.

But none of the six- and seven-deep crowd showed an interest in gas mileage. For brothers Joe and Jared Nossal, who drove with their uncle down from Pinckey, Mich., it was the car's sleek lines that were most appealing.

"It's amazing. In my opinion, it's the best concept car out there," 18-year-old Joe said.

And while he's not likely to get one himself, he says both his dad and uncle have fallen for the throwback legend. Some day, though, Joe Nossal said he hopes to get one for himself -- or even a resurrected model from his own generation. Chevrolet's Camaro tops his wishlist