Not much new info, but it says maybe next year.
After hiatus, Challenger to rejoin Dodge lineup
By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto reporter
Published November 21, 2005
LAS VEGAS -- Chrysler has again returned to the past to come up with a car for the future.
Chrysler, which looked to the 1970s muscle car era to create the 2006 Dodge Charger, has gone back to that time to pluck out another muscle car nameplate, the Challenger. It's on a concept of a car that's expected to join the Dodge lineup soon.
Dodge told the media gathered here for a look at 10 vehicles the company will introduce on next year's auto-show circuit that Challenger will bow at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
Though Challenger is expected to join the Dodge lineup in about a year, Tom Tremont, vice president of advance product design for Chrysler Group, wouldn't confirm that timetable.
Challenger is derived from the same platform as the Chrysler 300 sedan, with two major changes. It is built on a shorter wheelbase, 116 inches versus 120, and it's a two-door not a four-door.
"With Charger we have a muscle sedan; with Challenger; a muscle coupe," Tremont said.
As another 300 derivative, along with the Dodge Magnum and Charger and Charger police car, Challenger continues the automaker's commitment to platform sharing. That ensures plants run at full capacity and, thus, profitably.
Tremont said the concept takes its styling from the 1970s Challenger, complete with hood scoops.
It also is another showcase for Chrysler's Hemi V-8 engine, which accounts for more than 40 percent of sales of the vehicles in which it's offered.
Challenger features the 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower version with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Chrysler officials wouldn't speculate on Challenger volume, though most expected a limited build of 5,000 to 10,000 annually.
----------
jmateja@tribune.comCopyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
