http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/c...ith-barracuda/

Motor Trend reports that Chrysler may forsake the Dodge Challenger for a resurrected Barracuda. The magazine cites two unnamed sources as saying the nameplate will surface in time to celebrate the vehicle's 50th anniversary in 2014. If true, the Barracuda will ride on a new smaller and lighter platform that's more fit to compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The vehicle's bones will likely be shared with Alfa Romeo, which means a turbo four-cylinder may show up behind the Barracuda headlights as well as a fire-breathing V8. MT suggests the design may pull from the original fastback Barracuda, though a notch-back version would allow Chrysler to more effectively compete against the drop-top hardware from Ford and Chevrolet.

We have no doubt Chrysler and Fiat are currently investigating ways to breathe new life into the Challenger. The vehicle has been content to plod along as a distant third to its muscle-car rivals, but pulling the Barracuda name back into play seems unlikely. For starters, the Barracuda sailed under the long-dead Plymouth banner, and both Dodge and Chrysler have a long list of hallowed names from which to choose.

 

Growing up in St. Louis it was way more Plymouth than Dodge. Road Runners and Cuda's.

With Chrysler wanting to use the SRT brand, it could eliminate the branding issue since Plymouth is gone. "SRT Hemi Cuda"

 

I would like to see the Barracuda again, but I would keep Fiat out of it.

It's one thing to do a small compact together, but 'Cuda is something completely different.

 

I'd like to see the cuda come back as well

 

Isn't Chrysler/Dodge now Fiat?

 

If so I will now refuse to buy a fiat!

 

Perhaps if Chrysler wants to breathe life into the Challenger, it may want to start building quality cars that last. Second they may want to make them more affordable.

 

They have attained a controlling interest. Like 60 some % if I remember correctly, with Union pension funds holding the rest.

 

Isn't Grand Spaulding Dodge make "new" 'Cudas out of Challengers?

I thought I saw one that looked like a 'Cuda grill.

 

Mr. Norm makes 'Cudas based on Challengers.

 

I'm fond of the Challenger but I'd love to see FIAT...err...Chrysler put out something that was more competitive with the Mustang and Camaro. Something lighter would go a long way...

 

Whatever the name, Challenger or Cuda, trimming 500+ lbs of fat off the current Challenger would solve its biggest problem, its bigness. Styling-wise, I think it is currently hands down the best looking of the current pony cars, so I see little need to change that too much.

Fiat will have something to do with every new Dodge/Chrysler product into the future, which is not necessarily a bad thing, nor necessarily a good thing either, we'll just have to see how well the future cars are executed. The Fiat 500 debut was a bit lackluster -- they should have included the Abarth from the get-go like Mini did the Mini Cooper S -- but Fiat/Alfa does have a good product and engineering base in Europe that could be effectively applied to their North American wares.

 

...sorta...maybe...we're not really sure what we're doing yet.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...-ar124998.html

Bummed because I hoped to grab a (new) SRT8 before they went out of production, but not surprised considering their sales numbers. Was hoping they might do a little refresh to keep the model going, but probably wise to move on. Been hearing Cuda rumors forever, but still possible I guess. Sounds like I better start saving my pennies though.

 

Merged and cleaned up threads . . .

 

I agree. It's still the best "Muscle" car out there. I think they are drop dead gorgeous cars and would love to have one if I had the extra room and money. But not before I have a Mustang. I kind of don't care about the heft of that car. Probably because it performs as well as intone in the market for a car like that should. It's sporty and comfortable. Comes with a big engine and a stick shift. That's really all that is necessary. If you've ever driven one the torque is intoxicating. I don't know about resurrecting the Cuda name plate. Seems rather dumb to me. If they do a Cuda then they might as well do a complete restyle with the long hatchback. You don't see a Chevrolet Firebird anywhere do you? Exactly my thoughts on a Cuda if they just build another Challenger.

All that aside if it is awesome I will be excited, if not, it will die off.

 

I could see doing a Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Barracuda and some Fiat/Alfa variant on a downsized RWD platform. I think the pricing would also have to better match the other pony cars (Mustang, Camaro, and yes, Genesis Coupe) to be truly competitive, especially if there would be both a Challenger and Barracuda. If both though, they would likely be fairly well clones of each other, ala the Camaro and Firebird in their day.

Personally though, I think it would be either/or regarding the Challenger/Barracuda -- I think it would be hard to make a business and marketing case for both -- along with an Alfa variant off that platform too.

 

I agree with rhumb's post about the Challenger being too big and needing to lose about 500 lbs. It's just too **** big and that extra bulk makes it harder to drive although it will move with the available hemi engines. I will say the ride is way more comfortable than the Mustang.
Can't fairly compare the Dodge to Mustangs or Camaros, it's a muscle car versus two pony cars. Now a 'Cuda with a smaller footprint at maybe 3500 lbs, that's a whole nuther matter. I just don't see it happening, but hell, I never would have predicted the great cars we have today four years ago.

 

I was Googling for '15MY Mustangs when I found a thread about the '15MY Barracuda. Seems it may not be replacing the Challenger, but will sit below it with a wide range of engines. It'll be smaller.....lighter......sounds like a fine competitor to the '15MY Mustang!

And if it looks this good, I say bring it on!!



Here's the original thread, with what seems like a bit of inside info

http://www.wisrts.com/forums/showthr...arracuda/page2

 

Well that would fix the challengers problems. It has nice engines but it's gotta be smaller and lighter. Same goes for the camaro.

I have a feeling all 3 (or 4 if they are bringing it back) will be smaller and lighter.

Smaller and lighter + more powerful and FE engines = better performance and FE all around.

I'll take it.

 

I think the next gen Camaro is supposed to be based off of GM's Alpha platform. In ATS guise with a V6 it does come in a bit lighter than a V6 Mustang, however in such trim in may be too expensive to be used as a Camaro without some cost reduction involved in some manner.

Also, can the alpha chassis utilize a V8?