What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

When I saw the Mustang concept, I had to have it. When I saw a production mustang, I decided that it lost to much from the concept model and I was a bit disappointed. Alot of changes were made as you can see. I know they were made for cost and the mustang is a great car and has an affordable price tag. It looked like to different cars to me. <-My Opinion.

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/concept/s197/2005.jpg

I'm hoping that the production Challenger will look alot like the Concept. After reading the new Motor Trend Micheal Castiglione says that...

1. The front bumpers may have to be extended for production
2. The tracks will be narrower for production
3. Full-width taillamps could make it to production

I really hope the hood butterflies work, this is the 21st century, lol.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK WILL BE CHANGED FOR THE PRODUCTION CHALLENGER? (Exterior? - Interior? - Wheels? - Engine?)

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

DON'T KNOW ABOUT EXTERIOR. NOT MUCH CHANGE i HOPE. I READ HOWEVER THAT THE 6.1 LITER HEMI AND THE 6 SPRRD TRANNY ARE GETTIN THE AXE!

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Sounds like you need to check that source. I think the most obvious omission is the carbon fiber body. I think the comments in August Motor Trend definitely hint at a couple tweaks. My suggestion is to look at the Charger and other vehicles on the same production line. Dodge will take advantage of the platform and I ABSOLUTLEY believe we will get the 6.1L Hemi & the six speed.

I can't see many things that need to be changed really...

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

At this point we are all guessing but we did have this conversation on my first post "Comments on what I saw at the Dallas Auto show" of the thread I started.

Everything I commented on there were things that the Dodge people told me at the show so I did not make them up.

Will they happen is anybodies guess but I thougth they were good inputs.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Hopefully, it loses those god-awful pimpmobile wheels. Dodge outta go back to the 1970-style Rallye wheels. And just in case it comes with the ugly, block-letter nameplate, I have my 1970 scrypt-style Challenger insignia to mount on the front fenders, where God intended them to be -- above the R/T insignia and the original Chrysler logo. (It's really amazing how fast you can strip a car when a tow truck is coming to haul it off to the junkyard after a devastating encounter with an Avenger.)

Oh...just in case anybody else noticed, I dutifully e-mailed DCX to not their misuse of a word on their web page announcing the 2008 Challenger. It said the car is based on "the infamous 1970 Dodge Challenger." Infamous? No. Famous, yes. Legendary, yes. As I told them, John Wayne is famous but John Wayne Gacey is infamous. And, yes, I put in yet another plug for a V-6 version.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I love the large wheels. I hope the vehicle has 18's+ available and since the Charger SRT8 has 18's I'm sure the Challenger will have similar or larger.

Question? - If the Concept weights 4,200 lbs. with a carbon fiber body then what will the production car weigh with steel and plastic? Then throw in Air Conditioning and other immenities under the hood which will make the car weigh more.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Yes but remember that this may come out as an LY platform which is about 4" smaller and the 21 and 22" wheels actually are not very functional as a daily driver. In the concept car they
rub the fender wheels when they hit bumps so they will have to go smaller. My preference is 3500 lbs but I know I am dreaming.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I was looking at the dash and I can't imagine that telemetry thing being part of the production model. That is not necessary, quatermile times and speed. It is cool but even the average Challenger driver would not need it. You can only quarter mile on a track and if your doing it on the street then your endangering you and others. When your at the track they give you a print out of that info.

I think the largest gauge should be the tach anyway.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I love those wheels, but they will have to go alittle smaller for production due to the rubbing. The carbon fibre front end is big money,
and i wouldn't think it will make production if they want to keep it in the more affordible price point of the mustang gt.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Charger Production

http://archive.cardesignnews.com/aut...arger8305s.jpg

Charger Concept

http://www.conceptcars.it/usa/charger.jpg

They don't look the same to me...

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Yes, I think everbody is in agreement that the telemetry system would go it would be cool to have it as an aftermarket accessories.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

That is very scary and let us hope this doesn't happen to the Challenger. We certainly don't want to drool then stool.....LOL!

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

you cant use the 99 charger concept as a basis for comparison. that was a complete concept, and there was never any REAL intention of production. when the designers of the challenger concept were given their instructions, one of them was to "make it as close to production as possible", much like the viper concept.

also, keep in mind that the mustang that was shown first (the silver one) is very similar to what the production GT500 looks like...

as for those awful gawdy wheels, if someone wants "dubs", which have awful rotational mass and kill the acceleration of the car, they should go buy an escalade or some other vehicle that isnt meant to go slow. there is a reason that few (if any) companies make drag radials in the huge sizes...because performance cars have rims that are designed to reduce rotational mass...like a nice 17 inch DragLite.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I hope it loses the grille and comes with an original honeycomb only style, I like the deep/open look! I also hope they break up the solid tail light!

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I think the designers of the Challenger concept car did an outstanding job! It LOOKS like a 1970's Challenger - inside and out. They got the modern look without sacrificing the muscle car roots it originated from.

Judging from what I've read and heard (no, I don't know anyone of any importance in the auto industry or in Detroit), I'm guessing the Challenger will come with a 6.1L 6-speed manual with CatBack or FlowMaster exhaust in the top level trim model (maybe something named the "SuperBee" since the "Daytona" marque went on the Charger?). The R/T badge is prominantly displayed on the concept car which sports the 6.1L 6-speed manny tranny...but I don't think that means too much right now. While I personally think the "SRT" level has been beat to death with other models in the past, it wouldn't surprise me to see it on the Challenger. I hope they fabricate a low-profile spoiler for the top trim level, as well as a lower nose (one piece air dam) with integrated fog/driving lights.

I also agree that the 18" wheels that the Charger R/T wears will be plenty large to give good looks, good performance and proper wheel well clearance, with a possible option for 19's.

I think they'll keep the front end appearance pretty close to the concept car (with working hood flaps) since it's very similar to the original Challenger, and I HOPE they put more original styled taillamps on it instead of the 1986 Buick Somerset lightbar across the back (as they have on the concept car). The louvered tail lights from the old Challenger would be a nice touch!

I think DCX is targeting the Mustang/Camaro Baby-Boomer retro-segment of the market, and to do so effectively (and make it financially profitable), will have to offer a 6 cylinder in an "entry level model", as they do with the Charger and Magnum. With the substantial financial investment of bringing a new model through production, it makes good business sense to offer something for everyone, capture a bigger segment of the market, and regain a good part of the initial investment it took to get it into production while it's new and people are eager to get it. DCX knows the sales figures on the Mustang, and won't ignore how many of each trim level they've sold (the majority of which are 6 cylinder models).

I can't imagine much change for the interior. It's clean, simple, and all business. It should be easy to bring to production as it is. I think there may be some changes as to a brushed or machined aluminum dash plate, or the leather/cloth trim for each trim level. But I think the styling will basically look the same as in the concept.

Judging by the options available on the Charger & Magnum, I expect MOST of the items touted on the concept car (i.e. telemmetry) will be on the production models with availability varying by trim levels.

What I think will be MOST interesting is to see what colors they make it in, and what graphics come on the different trim levels. I can't guess which direction they'll go with that. It should be interesting, for sure!

The views and opinions expressed herein are soley those of the uneducated and uninformed author (whose rantings and ravings have been compared to those of people who are not entirely responsible for their own behavior or actions) and in no way reflect or represent those of anyone else.
Bear in mind that opinions are like backsides.....everyone has one and they ALL stink. :O)

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

i dont think that they will use the "superbee" name..they already use it on a charger...

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I agree bro, I believe the Challenger will look like the concept but I also think changes will be made. The concept is worth $500,000 and we are hoping production is under $35,000. Changes will be made, lets hope the look stays the same.

Your right the GT500 does look like the original mustang concept but it is also selling for over $50,000 right now.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

but MSRP is only 40k (hardtop)...the markup is for suckers, and people who 'have to have a first run'...i dont like dealing with "bugs", so im willing to wait for a challenger until the "20,000 over msrp crowd" has wasted their money. ;)

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

You also take the chance of paying double or triple as has been the case of many very popular cars in the past! Remember, you can always trade for something else later!

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I don't think you'll see a huge markup on the Challenger like what's happened on the Shelby Mustangs. The Shelby's are a limited number model and the demand is far outstripping the supply. As of now, the speculated production projections are WAY over the number of Shelby's that Ford is producing.
When the Mustang GTs first went back into production, there was a high demand, but by and large, Ford met it. They were in a serious sales slump and were more than happy to move cars off of the showroom floors.
A friend of mine ordered a new Mustang GT in February of '05. There were production delays on his order due to fuel pick-up issues, warping/twisting heads, and a clunking in the front end under tight, low speed steering (such as in parking lots). Ford got the problems addressed and got his GT to him only two weeks past the projected date. Pretty good. He paid MSRP for the car....no premium over sticker.
Another freind works for a dealership in Virginia. He tried to get an '05 GT through his dealership (he even said he'd pass on the "Employee Pricing" discount).......but they had already gotten thier allotment of '05 GT's and he had to wait until fall for the arrival of the '06's. He got his employee discount on the '06 GT and got another Mustang (with a six-banger) in February for his wife. Again, there was no premium over sticker tacked on to the prices.
If DCX comes out with a limited run Challenger model, then you could see the bidding wars like those the Shelby Mustang has created. But I just can't see a regular production run model bringing more than sticker in any but the most unusual cases. If that DOES happen, I'll wait for mine until the sales boil goes down to a simmer. We'd only be getting into a bidding war with each other, and the price can only go as high as we're willing to pay.
As much as I'd like to have one NOW, I can wait until I'll be able to justify the cost of the purchase to myself.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

You have stood by that philosophy since the beginning and I like it.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

well, i dont recall the exact issues, but im certain that the first of the S197 mustangs that alot of the babyboomers "had to have"...also "had to go back" because of bugs and such...hell, look at the people who paid double the 250,000 price tag for the early ford GTs, only to have them recalled because the front suspension was pulling apart under torque!

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I had heard that the wheels they have on the concept are too big to begin with. The yrub going over small dips in the road and the turning radious is not very good. I'm sure they already have plans for smaller wheels yet beefy looking wheels.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

I'm hoping for: Plum Crazy, Sublime, Panther Pink, Alpine White (a la Vanishing Point) and of couse Challenger Orange

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Remember there was a good 7 year gap, here there is only supposed to be a 2 year gap. Also remember the fact that the 99 Charger concept was using the LH-Chrysler designed platform used by the Intrepid/Vision/300M/Concorde/LHS etc. vs. the 2006 Charger is using the LX platform Mercedes designed. Those two are completely different cars. The 99 concept was never put into production. The 2006 Charger shares almost nothing with the 99 concept (unfortunately). I don't think you can really compare the two really.

RE: What will Challenger concept lose in production?
 

Another thing you have to remember is that the concepts do not always pass the EPA's standards, that is why they sometimes look different (the joys of buercracy). One of the interesting stories I heard was the GTO was able to make production quicker because it was so similar to the Grand Prix. It isn't as easy as one things it might be.