Can anyone justify why the new Challengers are 4400 pounds?

[a92dragon]

A couple of yeras ago I got rid of a 72 fury wagon sat 9 and was pulled with a 70 440, it weighted 4400 pounds and I knew why. Where is the weight on the new one? A 70's E-body was 3400- 3600 depending on options. Sales men told me it was all the performance options. Has any one really studied this? Maybe if there was a simple diet plan the challenger would healthier, and stronger.

[ChallengerHK]

Government regulation accounts for a chunk of it. There are a lot of things that are mandated now, like airbags and side-impact reinforcement, that wasn't around back then. Frames are reinforced more. Catalytic converters are heavy.

Another part would be design strategy changes to accommodate what the public wants.  Glass is generally bigger when windshield rake is increased; debatable this is also part of government regulation, as it helps mileage. Remote power windows were a rarity in the early 70s, but nowadays they're pretty much standard equipment; each window requires a motor.  Same re: power seats and power mirrors.

[burdar]

I believe the drag pak Challengers weigh 1000 lbs less then a regular production car.  All that sound isulation, seam sealer exc adds up to a lot.  The biggest reason the car is heavy, is that it's based off of the LX platform.(Charger-300) The Challenger shares key body points with those cars.  THey made the cars as small as they could based off of that platform.   

[Cooter]

Ever driven a say, 1970 Dodge Challenger with over 650 HP? Then, drive a new Challenger with the same HP....Two totally different cars. One has big brother looking out for you, the other doesn't.

One you have to actually DRIVE, the other it kinda drives itself. Side impact, Crumple zones, Five star Crash rating, JD Power and assc. rating, LX plateform, Suspension, and enough electronic Bullsh*t to rival the space shuttle. But,then again, nobody likes to sweat a little when cruising on a hot day today either.

[ChallengerHK]

Curious, what all did they pull out for the drag pack?

[TinCuda]

It has to be that heavy to keep the wheels down...lol


.,

[ntstlgl1970]

Curious, what all did they pull out for the drag pack?

sound deadener, all the HVAC, the rear independent suspension, rear seats, front power seats, airbags, audio and all the wiring related to those things. I'm sure there is more.

[ChallengerHK]

sound deadener, all the HVAC, the rear independent suspension, rear seats, front power seats, airbags, audio and all the wiring related to those things. I'm sure there is more.

I can see losing all of that except for the indy rear, but then I'm a road racer and not a drag racer. Does losing the air bags make it no longer street legal?

[ragtopdodge]

Umm...the car is derived from a full-size four-door sedan.  Hence, livable back seats and a decent trunk.

BTW, a Ferrari 599 is like, 3800lbs. 

[hpe600rt]

does it realy mater you can make any car go as fast as you want just how much you want to spend on it

[hpe600rt]

you know as long as you like it is all that should mater to you.who cares what every one else thinks it would be a suckie world if we all liked the same thing right.

[TROUBLE987]

I say it's the platform it was built on.

[LAA66]

 They must be pretty stout to weigh as much as my one ton pickup.

[burdar]

I can see losing all of that except for the indy rear, but then I'm a road racer and not a drag racer. Does losing the air bags make it no longer street legal?

The Drag Paks aren't even close to street legal.  The engines don't even run from the factory.  You have to install your own ignition system.  I think there are two different hemi engines available(maybe just one) a SB 360 magnum and a big V10.

[MizzouRT]

The modern Challenger is heavy but hasn't quite reached 4400 pounds.  The R/T is about 4150 pounds and the current SRT is about 100 pounds heavier at 4260 actual curb weight.  Size wise, these are much closer to a B-Body, and they weighed in around 4000 pounds.  Disc brakes weigh more than drum brakes, then add all the power equipment, improved safety requirements, air bags, etc and you can see how they get to the 4200 pound mark.  When you see a new Challenger parked next to an old one, the size difference is more obvious and you can see why the new one weighs more...