"Everything Old Is New Again

Enter the '09 Dodge Challenger.
There is little to speculate about when it comes to Mopar Muscle's opinion of the new Charger. DCX failed to win over the purists and '60s Mopar aficionados, apart from waving the magic 425hp combination in front of their noses. A curvaceous, sharply designed sedan with many creature comfrots, the Charger fell sort of hard-core enthusiasts' aspirations. Never intended to be a two-door sports coupe, the Charger was aimed at te suburbanites and professionals an ultra-competitive market.

According to Rick Kranz of Automotive News, as reported in June's Autoweek, 6/13/05, the Challenger, expected to debut in 2009 on the LX platform, will share the same design cues as the Chrysler 300C, Charger, and Magnum station wagon. The final drafting of the Challenger is still somewhat of a mystery, as "Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familar with the plans." The new Challenger is expected to compete with the retro-designed Mustang that has recently exceeded initial sales projections, causing output numbers to be increased for the next production year. The numbers give credence to America's desire for automakers to pay tribute to their musclecar genealogy with designs influenced by past ponycars. "It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for Global Insight, an industry research group. "They are really excited about it. "Madden states the sports coupe is planned to debut in early 2009, the same time that the next-generation LX vehicles are to be re-engineered and restyled.

Though Chrysler officials have kept a tight lid on the possible designs of the car, production numbers projections have been released. Estimated to match the venerale Mustang's production, DCX plans on selling 60,000 to 70,000 cars in the first year. "The enthusiasm for that product,"Madden continues, "is very big." With the introduction of the Charger, Charger R/T, Daytona R/T, and SRT-8 this year, DCX will be testing the waters with the recent shot in the arm to the reception of the Charger and other SRT manifestations, the dream of the totally moder, two-door, 425-horse Hemi-powered Challenger might becoume a reality."

Mopar Muscle

the Charger fell sort of hard-core enthusiasts' aspirations.