What is it?
With an aptly named concept car, Dodge has addressed two direct challenges: auto enthusiasts decrying that the Charger is available only with two doors and the Ford Mustang stands without direct competition. Dodge designers developed this concept off a shortened Charger platform, creating a modern car that calls to mind its 1970 namesake. The front and rear overhangs have been minimized, giving the car an aggressively modern stance and allowing for more interior space. Inspired on the inside by the original muscle car, the cockpit features bolstered seats with horizontal ribbing and a simplified dash and control layout. Another nod to the name's heritage comes from the "pistol grip" shifter used to select gears in the six-speed manual transmission. Underhood is the 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine found in current, high-performance SRT8 models.
What is new or notable?
A performance icon reimagined, the Challenger is a strong candidate for production in the 2008 calendar year if the public welcomes this concept enthusiastically. The production model would be based on the next-generation LX platform, preceding a Charger and Magnum redesign.
CR's take:
Retro has been in for the last few years, and this concept mined territory covered by the very popular redesigned Mustang. Dodge claimed not too long ago that the two-door coupe was dead and that the Charger sedan would compete with the Mustang. Maybe strong Mustang sales made them rethink that approach. Like the Mustang, the Challenger looks great and the fast Hemi sounds mean, but will it be as agile and fun as the Mustang? The available manual transmission will be a first, as no car version of the Hemi so far offers one.
