California Autos Examiner

Saturday, July 01, 2006

It's a Go: Dodge Challenger to Arrive in 2008






Fittingly announced at a NASCAR race, the Challenger will be unleashed upon the world in 2008. Priced above the Mustang, the Challenger will be more of a premium entry. My guess is to see stickers in the mid 30's to 40's. To maintain that pricing, the Challenger will more than likely be built in limited in numbers.

Folks that have seen the concept up close have remarked about just how big a car it really is. Whereas GM ultimately chose to go with a more modern interpretation for the Camaro concept, the Challenger concept is about as close to the original as you can get.

I like the Challenger, probably not enough to plunk down the cash for one, but I'll enjoy seeing it out on the road. The car of this ilk that really stole my heart was Ford's Forty-Nine concept from 2001.

Here a snippet from the press release:

Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda today announced that Dodge Challenger will return to production after a nearly 35-year hiatus. The all-new Dodge Challenger will debut as a 2008 model in calendar-year 2008.

The announcement was made shortly before the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driving out with the Dodge Challenger was Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour.

"We haven’t seen this kind of spontaneous, passionate response to a car since we unveiled the Dodge Viper concept in 1989,” said LaSorda. “But it’s easy to see what people like about the Dodge Challenger. It’s bold, powerful and capable. It’s a modern take on one of the most iconic muscle cars, and sets a new standard for pure ‘pony car’ performance

No comments: