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Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda says the company may have a go/no-go production decision on the Dodge Challenger, a - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTERof the Detroit auto show (above), as early as September.

It's been widely assumed that the Challenger was destined for production, to take advantage of the resurgent interest in muscle cars triggered by Ford's hugely popular new Mustang. Not only does the Chrysler group have a history of bringing low-volume, niche-market vehicles to production, but the Challenger also can be based on the existing platform and powertrain underpinning the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Challenger, which should help make the Challenger a profitable venture.

[Source: Autoweek]

AlxAmg what do you think about this? I would definitely want to see it back, but if they can't bring it back beause it would be a mistake or the market forces just aren't right then I guess I understand.

As we - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER yesterday, the Dodge Challenger was officially given a green light for production today. The announcement was made by Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda before the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway. After 35-years off the market, the Dodge Challenger will return in 2008 as a 2008 model.

LaSorda commented that the company hadn't seen this kind of "spontaneous, passionate response to a car," since the Dodge Viper concept debuted back in 1989. No other concrete details about the production Challenger were given, like what engine will find its way under the hood and to what type of transmission it will be mated.

Chrysler's full press release with a nice history of the original Challenger can be found after the jump...

[Source: Chrysler]

Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda Says Dodge Challenger Is a "Go"

Nearly 35 Years Later, Dodge Challenger Returns as the Ultimate Modern American Muscle Coupe

• Unprecedented public response to Challenger concept leads to "green light" decision for production
• Chrysler Group COO Eric Ridenour says concept-to-production success story highlights focus on speed-to-market

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jul 1, 2006 - 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."

The Dodge Challenger will feature the long hood, short deck, wide stance and two-door coupe body style that distinguished the iconic Challengers of the 1970s.

"We drew on the rich heritage of the Dodge Challenger, but with contemporary forms and technologies," said Ridenour. "It's not just a re-creation; it's a reinterpretation."

Dodge's "Pony Car" in the 1970s
The Dodge Challenger made its debut in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model. While it shared the "E-body" platform with the Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger's wheelbase was two inches longer, creating more interior space.

The Dodge Challenger was originally offered as either a two-door hardtop or convertible. And, befitting the brand's performance heritage, the Dodge Challenger also went racing in its first year, competing most notably in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series and National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class.

Although it was produced only from 1970 to 1974, the Dodge Challenger earned a reputation as one of the most desirable of the original "pony cars," with meticulously restored and rare examples today selling for six-figure prices.

In its first year, Dodge Challenger was offered in a limited-edition T/A model to meet homologation requirements for SCCA Trans-Am racing. In 1971, a Dodge Challenger paced the Indianapolis 500 race. New front-end styling in 1972 featured a larger, "egg-crate" grille. In April 1974, Challenger production ceased. Over a five-year span, approximately 188,600 Dodge Challengers were sold.

The Dodge Challenger is another chapter in Chrysler Group's long history of bringing concepts quickly to production, including the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Jeep® Compass.

"Our product development system allows us to quickly turn concepts into high-quality production vehicles," said Ridenour. "We're justifiably proud of our speed to market, and Dodge Challenger is the latest example of our focus on getting gotta-have-it vehicles to our customers."

Personally i love it...

I think the car is very impressive and bold, and is a GREAT add to the Dodge line-up!!!

Yes, and that is none other than the W210! The Mercedes-Benz E-Class built from 1996-2002.







BTW, the article should have read:
"...Challenger also can be based on the existing platform and powertrain underpinning the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger, which should help make the Challenger a profitable venture."

plus they forgot to mention the Pacifica

The LX platform was started to be developed before the "merger of equals".
Alltough it's been radicaly modifided/Mercedesized is stil not the W210 platform.

Interesting you mention that Imhotep Evil, I remember back in 1998 when the *cough* "merger of equals" *cough* (LOL) happened and LX was in the plans from late 1997 (I seem to recall). Chrysler had yet to make a comeback with a RWD model and the 'merger' was just happening at the right time. I read in a few places on the web that defend the statement that the LX is not based on the W210, but more and more I see references to the contrary. It is clear that DCX does not want this to be public but makes you wonder... I think the suspension and transmission are indeed from the W210. I also remember there was a lot of pressure from Mercedes to make sure no mentioning of this would come from Chrysler as it would damage the MB brand. No one wanted to have parts shared and the sad truth (at least for me as an MB fan) is that it began happening like it or not.
I want to believe that what you are saying is true, but unfortunately my favorite E-Class (after the W123) is now being 'dissected' by Chrysler for what is really important to investors: profits.

I love this freakin' car!!!


An industrious photog friend of ours happened to be sitting on Woodward Avenue across from Hunter House, the B.S.B.J.I.T. (Best Slider Burger Joint In Town) and happened upon the second of a two-day Chrysler Group journalistic extravaganza. The mighty German-American hybrid gave auto writers of all shapes, sizes and weights an opportunity to drive some Mopar concept metal including the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Dodge Challenger. The not-so-much pedestrian event was interrupted by the grumbling stomachs of Chysler engineers, thus necessitating the quick stop in downtown Birmingham.
In addition, we've learned the following from the Chrysler engineers:

#1 Test mules are currently being run around the DCX facilities
#2 Completed vehicle will be very close to prototype aside from a few small details
#3 They are trying to figure out a way to laser bond the C-pillar to the rear quarter panel for a smoother look

The following is our bud Evan Kelly's snappy little snapshot gallery of lunchtime for the Chrysler Group team.

showGallery('Dodge Challenger At Hunter House', 'jalopnik');
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I don't understand all the craze around this car. The Concept looks hot but the production car will be toned down. It will face the same fate as the Mustang. Hotter than hell for a couple of month and totally forgotten after 1 year.

I dont think so, LUW. This car is going to be a collectors piece, not just another Charger or Magnum. These will be limited.