Doubt any hips would add more than a pound or two max.

The Challenger is a big, if shapely, beast. I seem to recall that Dodge will be redoing their LX(?) chassis before long, presumably somewhat smaller and lighter than the current one. I would foresee the next Challenger being more integrated into the development cycle of that platform rather than being a late-in-the-day add on as is the current Challenger, perhaps following the next 300/Charger by a year or two. It too would then be smaller and lighter than the current version.

This presumes that the Challenger sells well enough in its current guise so as not to give Dodge's suits the *******. I don't think they ever envisioned being the bulk commodity that the Mustang is, but I imagine fuel issues will cut back on sales even from those modest expectations. Hopefully though, Dodge will be wise enough to realize that the idea of the Challenger might still be quite valid if rendered in a more reasonable and efficient size.

As for the NextStang, I would go with Ford's stated intention to trim 250lbs of road hugging lard off each new model, bringing the Stang down to a very reasonable 3200lb range. I think in a few years, the nearly 2 ton GT500 will seem like a rather grotesque anachronism with the top steed likely being some <3,500lb twin turbo V8 with about the same HP but far better suspension and vehicle dynamics, not to mention efficiency.

 

Without a big HEMI, the Challenger loses its appeal. The V6 isn't going to sell well.

A 3200lb V8 Stang would be nice, but lets see what happens.

 

If we are to believe that fuel prices will remain high, then you must realize that vehicle weight WILL come down and with it HP.
The "UP" side is that we'll be able to realize just as good power-to-weight ratios but at an overall lower level that could mean lower prices etc. We'll see.

 

Everything you listed costs money. I could shed a few hundred pounds off the current S197 using aluminum and carbon fiber. Given the price point of the vehicle, this just isn’t feasible.

Since the 2010 is basically an extensive refresh, I don’t think we will see any physical engineering changes to the chassis. We will have to wait until the new platform comes along to get a lighter Stang.

 

There will always be at least one model that has a V8. I think the market demands it. Aftermarket is huge, as is the Classic & Muscle Car industry.
As long as Ford continues to drop V8's in Trucks, there will be a V8 in the Mustang.

There are ways to tweak or manipulate CAFE. The only reason I could see Ford discontinuing the V8 Mustang is for logistical reasons to save a few bucks.
It only makes sense to lower the weight, but it may take longer than you think. The cheaper and obvious choice would be to experiment with fiberglass.

Ford keeps on bragging about how fuel efficient the new Ecoboost engines are going to be, maybe the cars wont need to lose as much weight as we think?
I know eventually cars like the Mustang will be smaller, but I don't think its going to happen over night or by 2014.

 

Just about every new car coming out these days has high strength steels which save weight, and they don't cost any more. There are several other ways they can pull it off.

But anyways, I'm not guessing here, it's amazing how people just don't want to accept it, almost like they want it to gain weight or something..

Oh well, they can't build a 400 horse 5.0L either..

 

Well part of it is the reality that the 5.0 4v DOHC is more than likely going to be heavier than the SOHC 3v 4.6 as well as a 6 speed tranny over a 5 speed.

They'll have to have looked elsewhere to shave the weight.

 

I don't think you understand the cost significance of losing weight. In order to lose significant weight, you need to use aluminum, magnesium, or carbon fiber. Like I keep mentioning, this will only add cost.

You say you aren't guessing, but in fact you are. I can point you to new cars that were engineered with weight kept in check. Hmm, guess what types of materials were employeed to keep that in check. My first paragraph provides the example.

 

Plus added interior content, safety upgrades, etc. etc.

 

Just some new news on competition. Steve Saleen's new company (SMS Limited, named after his initials) will make Saleen variants of both the Challenger and Camaro! According to Saleen his new company will also move upmarket and include exotics and tuner versions of most American muscle cars (Corvette, Charger, G8????).


2009 SMS 570 Challenger & SMS 570 Challenger X are both beefed up R/T Challengers supercharged to 500 and 700 HP.