So, everyone is concerned that the Challenger Concept may face the same results as the Charger, and dissappoint those who want a Dodge pony car. Well,I was at the Dodge headquarters in auburn hills, MI last weekend, trying to get a look at some of the other concepts hanging out in the pits of the proving grounds, and i got to talk for a while with a member of the DCX staff. mind you, he wasnt the CEO or anything, but he is a long time employee, and has a nice collection of mopars. I do not want to say exactly who it was, because i wouldnt want to risk getting this gentleman in trouble.

Anyways...i wa talking to him about a non-related issue, and the challenger came up, and i made a comment about how im concerned that the Challenger may end up as a minivan of 4wd vehicle by the time it hits production. he told me that when the designers set out on this mission of sorts, they were given a similar task to that of the viper design team; to design the car as close to actual production as possible. for those of you who havent seen the original concept viper compared to the actually production relese viper, i have included a picture of the original concept. he told me that the design team was successful is doing as they were told, and that the challenger was "pretty much exactly how they intend to release it"...but he reminded me that alot of things "could happen" before then, but as he said, when it is released, it should look an awful lot like the concept, if not exactly the same.

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Now that's the best damn news I've gotten all day. Beats the hell out of the bank calling and telling me my Visa Card and Bank Card both had unauthorized charges on them ($8000+), the rental car company said they cannot find a record of me renting a car last week but, funny thing they charged my card and last but not least, my SC for my car that was due back last weak, is still not ready for delivery. You talk about a BLUE Monday.

That sure put a smile on my face.

 

That would be great.

 

it was almost like he said "yeah, that was the real challenger", but he couldnt..also, when i asked him about a release date he had some reply like "the company hasnt officially announced a release date...so just keep an eye on the Dodge webpage...and when i pushed the issue he made this face, sort of grinning and said, "i really dont...umm...i dont know..just check the webpage"

like he said, its not a sure thing until its on showrooms, but it seemed like a positive note to me..[8D]

 

Now that is some good info!

 

Great news! Thanks for sharing the pictures and news. Reminds me of the time I got to see the factory and equipment that Penski auto racing has (my dad knows people).

 

That's a relief. After the Chagnum debacle, one couldn't be too sure how this would all play out before production started!

 

Well in the case of the Charger sedan, it looks very different than the concept looked but we knew it was going to be a sedan, whereas this concept is a coupe and I doubt they will change it. They wouldn't have another car slot to name the Challenger after, since the replacement for the Stratus is supposed to be the Avenger, other than a pony car fighting coupe.

 

Sweet!