[ImperialShadow]

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103629

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.

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html

The new LY Dodge Challenger is planned for the 2007-2008 calendar year. LY is the platform designator for the second-generation LX cars (we know it's an unfortunate designation). The Challenger may ride a shorter wheelbase to decrease weight, but on the other hand, it may simply be a two-door variant, much as the Charger was a two-door version of the Coronet. The concept car has a 116 inch wheelbase, while the other LXs use a 120 inch wheelbase.

E8502 wrote: “They are definitely going to sell more then 10,000 units. I'd guess at least 25,000 for its first year on the market. Speaking of when this bad boy will be released, I hear early March 2007 production (for Fast Feedback cars), on dealer lots by late April (so in all, similar to the Magnum timetable).

“Prices will probably start around $22,000 for the V6 model (I don't know at this point if they will use a tweaked 3.5L or the 4.0L, whatever one they use, expect about 275HP). There will probably be a few trims of the V6 models, each with varying content. The next model up will be the 5.7L Hemi "R/T" which will come in at just under $30K. The SRT-8 with 425+ horsepower will most likely be about $36,000 - $38,000 depending on options. ”

There are rumors that the new 392 Hemi crate engine, designed for racing, will go along with the new Dodge Challenger body. The 392 is apparently a racing-only engine in current form, not a production design, but a lower-power version may well be made for production and appear in the Challenger. The Challenger concept car to be shown at NAIAS (Detroit, January 2006; the Camaro will also be shown) uses, not surprisingly, the SRT-8 6.1 liter engine.

The LY series will be interesting for a number of reasons; for one, Chrysler reportedly has much more control over the engineering than they did with the LX, so more divergence of Mercedes may be expected in some areas, and the tuning and interior design may be different (though we would not expect any radical changes; it appears that the Magnum/Charger and 300 interiors are being standardized throughout the car lines).

Challenger is an appropriate name this time around; just as the original rode on a shortened B-body platform (with some A-body elements, called the E-body platform), the new Challenger will ride on a shortened LY platform - with two doors. (The Dodge people have apparently talked about the two-door design as a "flexibility test" for the platform, which is interesting coming from the company that produced coupes, luxury cars, economy cars, and minivans from a single basic platform.)

E8502 added: “From a design standpoint, it's a pretty great work of ‘auto art.’ The lines are just right as to hide the cars size, and it has a glamorous roof-line that evokes fond memories V8 hartops of days gone by. A high greenhouse gives the sides a substantial look of imposing substance. The rear end is flamboyant and bold, with the taillight spanning the entire rear. Dual exhausts showcase the power, and large 18" rims with low profile tires put all that power to the ground. A sleek modern interior with subtle touches of sporty trim help to tell folks this isn't just another coupe... Surely this car is a big disappointment, I mean, what is there to like about it?”