TerryR wrote:so when will the factory actually be pumpin em out ,i thought it was going to be 09 sometime,prefer the proper dodge grill ,i hate to say it but i think the camaro looks a meaner car
I know what your saying there, the Camaro does look more aggressive, but for me it looks too modern whereas the Chally looks proper retro and almost a sleeper, so its trading off a bit of "mean" for a lot of coool!
A couple of news articles with comment from an industry service we get, browsed through these on Friday amongst the more mundane stuff....
2008 Dodge Challenger Will Actually Sell for US$40,095
Pricing released last week for the new 2008 Dodge Challenger appear to have hit the newswires somewhat prematurely (see United States: 30 November 2007: 2008 Dodge Challenger Pricing Announced, Ordering Opens Monday). Last week, Chrysler announced that its new sports coupé, set to be introduced officially in production form at the Chicago Auto Show in February, would sticker for US$37,995, including destination. But advertisements for the fully optioned SRT-8 trim vehicle have listed the price at US$40,095. The difference, as website Autoblog.com has uncovered, stems from a "gas-guzzler tax" of US$2,100 that must be applied to the vehicle.
Significance: The new coupé's price represents what will be one of the most expensive Chrysler passenger cars on the market, but despite the lofty price tag, it is still likely to sell out of the initial 2008 production run of limited models. For 2009, a full line of Challenger models (including a V6 base model) will be offered, but Chrysler opted to make the entire limited run of 2008 models in the top-spec SRT-8 trim. Autoblog reports that given the stated penalty, the new Challenger SRT-8 featuring a 6.1-litre Hemi V8 engine will achieve between 18.5 and 19.5 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Such figures will likely not have much of an effect on interested buyers however, who do not purchase such vehicles for their fuel economy benefits in the first place
Chrysler Reports 6,000 Challenger Orders in First Week
In just four days, Chrysler has racked up over 6,000 orders for its new 2008 Dodge Challenger sport coupé, according to a report in the Detroit News. That number includes 4,300 customers who have put down deposits for the iconic retro muscle car, which features Chrysler's 6.1-litre Hemi V8 engine and special badging. The rate of preorder rivals that of the PT Cruiser when it was first introduced back in 2000, according to Chrysler. For 2008, Chrysler plans on building just 10,000 of the sports coupés, and only in the top-level SRT8 trim; a more complete line-up will follow in 2009.
Significance: The initial interest for the Challenger seems quite high, despite the vehicle not even being officially introduced with a production version until the upcoming Chicago Auto Show in February. Chrysler plans on making only 10,000 of the coupés, and runs a real risk that it could sell more than it plans on producing for 2008, which is not in itself such a bad proposition. Keeping initial volume low in order to increase the vehicle's exclusivity as a halo model makes sense for Chrysler, which is not exactly banking on the Challenger to save the company's fortunes. Rather, cementing its position as an icon could potentially do more for profits and demand in the 2009 model year than overproducing in 2008.
Gavin Chisholm - 414ci W2 Stroker SmallBlock Panther Pink '71 Challenger convertible - in bits Car progress can be viewed here
It looks like Chrysler is considering building a new 'Cuda in addition to the 2008 Challenger. The Mopar crew was very tight lipped about it--I assume more will be revealed in the official press announcement tomorrow afternoon. Sorry for the bad pics, it was dark over there and I was tripping on all the equipment that was lying around as they set up. See a ton more pics on the SEMA Group Page! And here are some walkaround videos--video 1, video 2, video 3.
Edit: Here's the latest scoop. After a night drinking at the Hard Rock with some Mopar insiders, we learned that this car was funded by a wealthy Mopar fan. It's built on a shortened Charger chassis and Mopar put it in the booth to gauge public reaction. And speaking of that, where were you people? More on the 'Cuda above.
ALL KILLER NO FILLER
Nostalgia, its not what it used to be.
Chrysler: We are pleased to read of your interest in the Chrysler Cuda concept vehicle. At this time, DaimlerChrysler has not released any plans that indicate the future production of the Chrysler Cuda. If built, The Chrysler Cuda concept vehicle would be built on the same platform as the upcoming 2008 Dodge Challenger, and would be production ready around the same time. We encourage you to stay in touch with the Chrysler.com website as well as your local Chrysler dealerships for future product updates.
Cheeky temptresses!
Involuntarius peristalsis rectum
"A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo
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"A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo
<a href="http://www.mybannermaker.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1862 ... cebsh4.jpg" alt='Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!'></a><br>
The Cuda concept car was not built by Chrysler. It seems it was commissioned by a private individual and built for him by a custom manufacturer, - and shown on a Mopar display. - I've got to be vague because I can't rememebr the details.
It's news to me if Chrysler has any interest in it as a potential production car. Lets face it, it was a Cuda the public wanted, - not a Challenger, but DC had already scrapped Plymouth.
From April: Hot Rod Designer Hints at Possible DCX Return of the Barracuda
Hot rod designer and industry consultant Chip Foose has hinted to the Detroit News that DaimlerChrysler (DCX) may be developing a Chrysler-badged companion to the Dodge Challenger muscle-car. The Chrysler Barracuda would be a similar vehicle, but likely feature slightly different styling cues to differentiate it from the Dodge version of the upcoming V8 coupé. The original Barracuda was marketed under the Plymouth brand, which no longer exists, thus pushing any potential new car to the Chrysler brand. DCX has not confirmed the report.
Significance: While creating a Chrysler version of the coming Challenger would be a relatively simple matter for the Chrysler Group, whether or not the vehicle fits in with the Chrysler brand is another matter. The two-door muscle-car could look remarkably similar to the Challenger, which could have the effect of stealing sales away from what may already be a difficult market. The Challenger is arriving at nearly the same time as the new Chevrolet Camaro and a refreshed Ford Mustang, meaning the market that the Mustang currently has to itself will suddenly find itself crowded with competitors. Adding a Chrysler version to the mix, supposedly DCX's near-luxury brand, does not seem likely.
Gavin Chisholm - 414ci W2 Stroker SmallBlock Panther Pink '71 Challenger convertible - in bits Car progress can be viewed here
Thats like £19K.
Thats less thats a mediocre VW Golf in this country...
How/Why are American cars *SO* cheap ?
Yeah, right. They wont be once the importers get em here. Then in a few months / year after the release date, classic American willl be flooded with em and the 'dealers' will have an ass load of stock collecting dust, and they will have all priced their cars within a gnats dick of each other. Makes me laugh how many still have the Ram SRT10 'fastest production truck in the world'. They wanted £54k when they first came out. You can pick em up from the same dealers for£15 odd k less now. How much profit are they trying to spank out of THAT cash cow.
