The following is a short story on the bottom of page 22 in the September issue of MotorTrend;

DODGE WILL lead the cars built of the next generaton Chrykser LX platform - called LY - with a new Challenger ponycar for the 2010 model year.. The Challenger will be a true Mustang fighter with 350 horsepower Hemi V-8 and 3.5 litre 250 horsepower V-6 versions going up against the mustang coupe. And given Chrysler's ambitions for its performance franchise you can expect a 6.1 litre 425 horse SRT version as well. Dodge has no plans for a challenger convertibles as that business will be left to the 2007 Chrysler Sebring replacement, although it's possible Chrysler Group could commission a coach buiilder like ASC to do one. The LY platform is described as an evolution of the current LX underpinnings for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.

Problem I have with this article is since when as Chrysler ever had a "pony car?" 2010? Appears its a little be late to get into the game.
Also the new Dodge Challenger looks more like a ricer than an actual American Muscle car.

 

The original Challenger was considered a pony car.

I haven't seen anything but (excellent) concept art by BM and others of a new generation Challenger, so I'm not certain how you can state anything regarding its looks. It may follow in the trend of the Charger - let's hope not - but that trend is not toward a ricer look.

All I can say is - THE MORE THE BETTER - don't car what manufacturer gets into the musclecar game, it'll keep the others on their toes if it proves there is a market for this type of vehicle. And it's clear the Mustang have proven exactly that.

 

5 years down the road?! What kinda car company plans that far down the road? Maybe that's why Dodge sucks!

 

umm... all of them do, so apparently they must all suck.

How long do you think it took Ford to redesign/prototype/test/etc. the 05 Mustang - 10 minutes? No - years.

Welcome to the automobile industry.

 

Nice to hear that American car companies are taking the new stang serious. Though I don't think dodge will sell as many of these as they plan to. The magnum and charger are both Ug-O-LY. I mean come on 4 doors for the charger? That would be like turning the baracuda into a lincolin town car. YUCK! Unless they steal the entire 05 mustang team, it will never look as good. Those performance numbers are just to excite us, the car has to look good first and concept art is just that. I think the major competition will come from chevy if they ever bring back the camaro.

 

Yeah Ford started laying the groundwork for the 05 in 99/00.....

 

I have to respectfully disagree about the Magnum and Charger. The pictures don't do the cars justice. As for using the Charger name on a four-door, people will just have to get over it. Drove a HEMI Charger R/T the other day, and darn that thing moves!

I'm skeptical as well as to whether the Challenger (or Camaro for that matter) will succeed. But I'm hoping that they do, as successes by Dodge and Ford would likely keep pushing Ford to continuously improve the Mustang as well.

 

Look at gas prices...... that should do it, and any 5-year down the road plans

 

Nothing is touching the stang now or 5 years from now. I mean the car that would touch the stang would have to be a serious throw back.

 

It is nice to have them leak out their initial plans (though I bet they'll change) so Ford can prep the Mustang to open up a can of whup*** on them when they hit the streets!

 

We'll just have to see if they green-light the Camaro and don't screw it up the way Daimler did the Charger.

One thing is for sure, the graduating seniors of 2015-2020 are going to have some interesting choices in used cars to drive...and mod.


Just wait until California MANDATES hybrid-only cars.

 

If they do I am moving!

 

anyone have pics of the challenger concept?

 

All of that is great info, but there's a problem that will always keep the rest lagging in the segment.

PRICE

No matter what they do to try and beat Ford at the pony car game, it will always cost more. You think they're going to just GIVE you the extra 50 horses for free? No. It'll cost more. In costing more... they'll price themselves out of the segment.

I'm stoked to hear that Chrysler is doing this. I'm hopeful that GM follows with a Camaro. Competition breeds inovation. Ford will have to up the game to keep the flavor interesting.

Ford put the other ponies down once, and it may do it again. Mustang has become legend. That little running pony will forever be the pinacle of the segment, and it's solidified on only one car.

Great time to be a car fan. I can't wait to see the next Detroit/Cleveland auto shows!

 

2010? What is their new slogan "If you can find a better car buy it for the next 5 years?" Sounds like Dodge is adopting Stalin's 5 year plan. I'll bet if they ever build this it will look more like a Russian tractor than a pony car.

 

Yeah, the Charger does move but it's a sacrilege to put the Charger name on an UGLY 4-door sedan. We went to the Dodge sponsored races last weekend and the general comments of the people in the stands echoed this sentiment.

 

* echo* GM sux....................4 doooors sux................stab in the back.........*echo*

 

???? ????

 

You can say a lot of things about the Charger and it's heritage, but ugly? Nah, that's just a Ford fan talking. If you see a black Charger and think "ugly" get your eyes checked.

 

I've got good eyes and the Charger is one ugly car - nothing more than a sedan version of the Magnum, IMO.