Ok, you asked for it. Sorry in advance for the long post.
This is a letter I sent to DCs Outside Suggestion Office earlier in the year to put in my 2 cents (Maybe more than 2 cents!) as to what I hope the potential 2009 Dodge Challenger would be like.
If you don't get your say in to them in the beginning stages, there's no use whining about it when it's on the showroom floor.
Let's not let this potential 2009 Dodge Challenger go by the way of the 1999 Dodge Charger Concept turned into 2006 Dodge Charger.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Outside Suggestion Office
CIMS: 483-02-07
800 Chrysler Drive East
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2757
Dear Daimler Chrysler,
It brings me great joy to hear of the rumor that DCX is planning to make a new Dodge Challenger for 2009. Albeit several years from now, I can’t wait to see preliminary sketches. It also send shivers down my back that in the same way that the Challenger was born in the late 60’/early 70’s to compete against Mustangs back then, the fiery phoenix rises to do the same in the near future. I own a 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 and it brings tears to my eyes to see even a rumor of a Challenger coming back! I would love to have a 2009 next to my 1972 in the driveway!
Not all car buyers may view cars the same way I do or countless other thousands do. We have a passion for cars. It’s not just a matter of point A to point B, but it’s how you get there and the joy you have driving your car.
Not to criticize, but I hope the proposed Challenger doesn’t go by way of the new Charger. Please don’t get me wrong. The new Charger in and of itself is a great car and will sure to be a hit, but it’s not what a lot of people conceived as being a Charger. Please excuse us for relating the nameplate to the icon from the 60’s and 70’s but that’s what Mopar fans did and many were disappointed to some degree. For $30K, I don’t think that there will be another car that can touch it as far as performance and the amenities. But, I’m sorry, it’s not what a lot of people expected, especially after seeing the 1999 prototype. Now that was a head turner! I realize that it’s not easy or even possible to turn a prototype into a production vehicle but the 1999 prototype was quite the tease. It’s not even the four doors, but more so the styling.
In the rumors that I’ve heard, the new Challenger is meant to compete against the new 2005 Mustang, correct? If so, here’s my “wish list”:
-short wheel base
-long hood, short rear deck to fit “pony car” image. Wide looking as original car, not tall looking! Not huge looking like 2006 Charger.
-menacing look. The new Charger front end has it down. How’s it going to “challenge” with a sad puppy dog look? Has to look like it’s up on its haunches.
-retro design? Not sure. Maybe some cues from the ’70 Challenger. Or else all out retro, like 2005 Mustang.
-new design off LX platform. See Chris Horton design at:
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0404phr_dodge/index.html Awesome interpretation of 2006 Dodge Charger that could be used ideas for Challenger.
or
http://www.creatingthelie.com/ then click on “Automotive Design” then “Mopar” to see some nice images.
Hot Wheels, I think a year ago, had a lime green car (Sub-lime?) called “Rapid Transit”. Did you guys have anything to do with this??? It’s another idea for styling cues.
-target weight of about 3500lbs (or less would be better, but maybe not realistic.).
-5 star safety crash test
-engine options as 2006 Charger, all with MDS
-RWD, with Sure Grip option.
-please, please, please: a manual transmission hooked up to a pistol grip shifter (optional) (Mustang has a manual!) and a DCX 5-speed automatic with “Slap Stick Shifter”.
-please push all the “neato” names from the past! Not just R/T, etc. (Hemi, R/T/, Slap Stick, Sure Grip, Pistol Grip, all the cool color names, Rapid Transit System, Go-Wing, T/A, Magnum 500, Rallye, etc.)
-Go all out as you did in 1970!!! Recreate an image and driving experience.
-dual quad exhaust tips, as ’70-’74 Challengers with 340 and bigger engines.
-4 wheel disc brakes, optional higher performance/multiple piston design (Can you say Viper parts bin?)
-on that note, optional Viper rims!!! (Forget about the V-10. That’s asking a bit much!!)
-5 passenger (5 sets of seat belts!) as was ’70-’74 Challengers. I have 3 small kids!!!! (On my ’72 Challenger, the sticker on the door jamb with the tire pressures states it’s a 5 passenger car but only has seatbelts for 4 people? Why?)
-easy rear seat egress and ingress. I need to unbuckle those 3 small kids from their car seats!!! (Rear doors like the Mazda RX-8?)
-must have exhaust note to match the cars tenacity.
-cool color options as the past with associated cool names! I see the new Daytona Chargers have that already started. (My ’72 is code TB3=Super Blue. Looks like Petty Blue.)
-priced at mid $20K area to be competitive with Mustang. Make it affordable. The new GTO is priced too high. The new Charger is still a bit too high. The average joe/jane has to be able to afford it.
-availability of “stripped down” model with Hemi available. IE: cloth interior, no power seats, no navigation, etc. to lighten up the car and lower the cost but have full line of engines available, not just in the top of the line model. Set it up as the “Rapid Transit Package” with fewer options to speed assembly and keep cost and weight down. Look at the Lotus Elise. It’s only a 4-cyl. but mighty fast!
-It’s not just the aging baby boomers that’ll buy this car. If priced right and the image of the past is pushed, many younger people in there teens and twenties will be interested and see the car as “cool” as there is a resurgence of interest in the muscle cars of the past in younger folk, as you’re well aware of. In my area (Belmont, MA) the muscle cars around here are driven by high school kids!
-it’s not a sin to mix old style with new ideas. Look at the new 2005 Mustang. I’m sure it’ll sell well.
-On June 19, 2005 I posted a Challenger wish list on the Autoweek.com site in the Combustion Chamber Forum under Future Sheetmetal. Take a look for ideas and feedback.
I have an old Challenger and grew up loving muscle cars. With maturing and wisdom, I have come to favor Honda products for obvious reasons. I had always worked on American cars until I worked for Acura of Boston in Massachusetts. I immediately became familiar with Honda quality. Build the new Challenger right and it will be my next car. (My Hondas will last me until at least 2009!)
Thanks for your attention and consideration.
Sincerely,
Philip XXX
Here's the pics I sent with the letter.
Topic: New Challenger - post here any "Encouraging Letters" you send out (Read 1008 times)
