Three years ago its was Ford's Mustang that had tongues wagging... This year it was Chrysler who stole the show on the opening day of the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with its Dodge Challenger concept car.
Looking like a 1970s-muscle-car reborn, the Concept is powered by a version of the 6.1-litre HEMI V8 from the production Chrysler 300C SRT8. This is matched to a six-speed manual gearbox and thoroughly modern running gear -- 20/21-inch wheels, big four-wheels discs and all-independant suspension.
It's not what's under the skin that drew the crowd's admiration, however. Though built on a modified 300C platform, the Challenger gets bespoke bodywork that pays homage to the original Dodge Challenger.
“Challenger draws upon the initial 1970 model as the icon of the series,” said Tom Tremont, Chrysler's Vice President- Advanced Vehicle Design.
“The 1970 model is the most sought after by collectors. But instead of merely recreating that car, the designers endeavoured to build a Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye —- a vehicle without the imperfections like the old car’s tucked-under wheels, long front overhang and imperfect fits.”
According to Chrysler the Challenger concept is a genuine four-passenger car. Compared to the original, the greenhouse is longer, the windshield and backlite faster (ie: more steeply raked) and the side glass narrower. There is no B-pillar and all glass is set flush with the body without mouldings
Designers have retained the wide look of both the front and back ends. To achieve this front and rear tracks are wider than the 300C and the original 1970 model. To realise the long horizontal hood the designers deemed essential, the front overhang was also increased.
The front end features the signature Dodge crossbar grille and four deeply recessed headlamps. At the rear, the car-wide cavity motif is repeated but features a full-width neon-lit taillamp. Both the grille and the front and rear lamps are set into carbon-fibre surrounds.
Bumpers are clean (no guards), body-colour and flush with the body.
“This is something we would have loved to do on the original Challenger,” said Jeff Godshall, who was a young designer in the Dodge Exterior studio when the first Challenger was created, “but the technology just wasn’t there. With the Challenger concept, however, the Pacifica Studio designers are able to realise what we wanted in our perfect world.”
The bonnet reprises the original Challenger “performance hood” and its twin diagonal scoops, now with functional butterfly-valve intakes. Designed to showcase the modern techniques used in fabricating the car, what look like painted racing stripes are actually exposed carbon-fibre.
The interior is finished in no-nonsense black with alloy and orange accents.
Specifications:
Length: 5025mm
Wheelbase: 2945mm
Front Overhang: 989mm
Width: 1997mm
Height: 1449mm
Track, Frt/Rr: 1625mm/1653mm
Colour:
Exterior: Challenger Orange
Interior: Black
Key Performance Attributes
0-60mph: 4.5sec
60-0 ft: 40.56m.
Standing ¼ mile: 13sec
Top Speed: 282km/h
Powertrain and Suspension:
Engine: 6.1L Hemi
Power: 317kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 570Nm at 4800rpm)
Drivetrain: RWD six-speed-manual
Suspension: Short/long-arm Independent
Front Tyre Size: P255/40R20
Rear Tyre Size: P265/45R21