TMSBrad

Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang

RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/13/05

DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger.

In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger.

Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.

"It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it."

Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled.

"They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says.

"The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big."

Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant.

Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans.

Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says.

The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker.

The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar and AMC Javelin.

And, yes, the original Challenger had a Hemi V-8.

max2000jp

Just read that on another forum. Competition is good for us. Hopefully the Challenger comes with an IRS

rrobello

"The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger." = 2 door version of the same ol' crap

06VistaPony

Man, think about all the Mustangs Ford will have put on the road by then. And at 60 - 70K a year, they are going to have to work hard to compete.

KansasCityTim

I would not exactly call the LX platform crap. I mean, its sales speak for itself.

dustindu4

by 2009 Ford will be revealing the production concept for the 2010 model Mustang. Way to go Chrysler. I bet it will get canned like GM canned the LS2 GTO

mobster

I think this would be an awesome Clallenger...

pedalmasher

2009 seems very far away. I bet it will cost more than the Mustang for similar performance versions, similar to camaros of years past.

63galaxie

It sounds like it. And they're going to sell 60,000 to 70,000? Hasn't the Mustang sold somewhere around triple that so far? If they only offer a Hemi version, that'd be around what they'd sell i'd imagine, but if they offered a v6 and a hemi and some mid range engine, they'd get close to mustang sales.

PeterPienaar

Hmm. I have no doubt it will be a hit, but the Mustang will have too solid a place in the market for it to really compete. Sounds like the old Muscle wars again--Mustang leads the way, Mopar and GM fall over themselves trying to keep up, and the end result is a whole passel of great cars.

THRUST_

I hadn't seen that 'cuda chop before, that's awsome doug. I hope you get a job designing cars soon.

Competition for the mustang would be awsome

rrobello

Sorry I shouldve elaborated....I was speaking to the looks, and not to say that the 300C or Magnum is ugly because I like both but with the Charger coming out with very similar looks, they will more than likely stay true to form and keep cranking out the same cookie cutter car, with the same engine and call it something else.

Mobster- that is sweet...if they were to make a car look like that I would buy it, thats as good as that Camero rendering that college kid did.....they should make a Cuda though instead of a Challenger

rrobello

Mobster where did you get that pic?

TomServo92

Yeah, I posted it earlier today:

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=26846

CelticNut

I like the photoshop. But a Dodge 'Cuda? I know Plymouth has been put out to pasture, but the name Dodge 'Cuda just doesn't sound right. I had a couple of '72 Challengers, and I have to admit, a '78 Challenger (sister car to the Plymouth Sapporo). It was a cheap grocery-getter. I've had a love affair with Mopar for years (check out the following pix of my '71 Plymouth GTX and my '71 Dodge Charger Super Bee), but they haven't produced anything to compete with the Mustang in years (at least in price). I would like to see them produce something, just to reignite interest in cars and get people out of those behemoth SUVs! Competition is good. Everyone wins when rivals compete for our money!

mobster

It was posted in the auto art section.
BTW, I didnt do the chop, Burningman did.

TheLegend

I think you guys dont see the big picture. In my opinion, by 2009 there will be so many Mustangs on the road people wil be sick of seeing them and depending on the specs, looks and price of the Challenger it could be a hit. I was sick of my 2000 Mustang after a year of owning it because I saw so many of them on the raod everyday. Everyone and their cousin owned one. You would have thought it was the last car on the planet.

I think Ford needs to make sure that by 2009 they have redesigned the Mustang in order to compete. People dont by a Mustang just to own one but because of its specs, looks and price. So, if the Challenger can beat that Ford is up for a huge challenge. I wish Ford would only make 60-70,000 Mustangs a year that way are car would not depreciate in an embarrassing way. I dont mean to be negative here. I am a huge Stang fan but I try to be open minded and that is my prospective on the topic. Hope I am wrong.

holderca1

Trying to think about it, when was the last time Dodge offered a RWD V8 Coupe at any price level?

05silverGT

I don't think Dodge would put a different hood and grill on the SRT-8 Charger and call it a Cuda. but I like all the muscle car enthusiam going around. And to think... our beloved Mustang is the only done right so far.

TomServo92

If you look at that pic, it's more than a different hood and grill. It's a two-door as well.