The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler. The Dodge Silver Challenger was produced in 1959. From 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, and current generation, was introduced in 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the reintroduced fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
The first car that carried the Challenger name was the mid-year introduction of a limited edition 1959 Dodge Silver Challenger. This was a six-cylinder or V8 model available only in silver paint and only on a two-door body. It came with extra features at no cost, including premium white wall tires, full wheel covers, electric windshield wipers, as well as an upgraded interior with luxury fabrics and wall-to-wall deep pile carpeting.
The Challenger was described in a book about 1960s American cars as Dodge's "answer to the Mustang and Camaro." It was one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly smaller Plymouth Barracuda. "Both the Challenger and Barracuda were available in a staggering number of trim and option levels" and were intended "to compete against cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, and to do it while offering virtually every engine in Chrysler's inventory." However, the Challenger was "a rather late response to the ponycar wave the Ford Mustang had started." In his book Hemi Muscle Cars, Robert Genat wrote that the Challenger was conceived in the late 1960s as Dodge's equivalent of the Plymouth Barracuda, and that the Barracuda was designed to compete against the Mustang. The Barracuda was actually the first car in this sporty car segment by a few months, but was quickly overshadowed by the release of the segment defining Mustang. He added that Chrysler intended the new Dodge as "the most potent ponycar ever," and positioned it "to compete against the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird." Genat also noted that the "Barracuda was intended to compete in the marketplace with the Mustang and Camaro/Firebird, while the Dodge was to be positioned against the Cougar" and other more luxury-type musclecars.
The Challenger name was revived in 1978 for a version of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe. It was known overseas as the Mitsubishi Sapporo/Scorpion and sold through Dodge dealers as a captive import. It was identical except in color and minor trim to the Plymouth Sapporo with the Dodge version emphasizing sportiness, with bright colors and tape stripes, while the Plymouth emphasized luxury, with more subdued trim. The cars were slightly restyled in 1981 with revised headlights and other minor cosmetic changes. Both cars were sold until 1984, until being replaced by the Conquest and Daytona.
The Dodge Challenger Concept was unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show and was a preview for the 3rd generation Dodge Challenger that started its production in 2008. Many design cues of the Dodge Challenger Concept were adapted from the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.
Chrysler Canada offered a further 670+ SRTs uniquely badged as the Challenger 500 all of which were shipped to Canadian Dodge dealers.
Hemi Orange, Brilliant Black, Bright Silver
Production of the limited edition 2008 SRT8s ended in July 2008, and production of the expanded 2009 line-up started in early August of the same year. The expanded offering was the same as had been unveiled earlier that spring at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Chrysler debuted the full Dodge Challenger line for 2009, with four different trims – SE, R/T, SRT8, and the SXT in Canada only. In addition to the SRT8, which remained unchanged except for the optional 6 speed manual, the line-up included the previously mentioned SE and SXT which offered the 250 HP 3.5-Liter V6. The R/T hosted a 5.7 Hemi sporting 370 hp and 398 lb·ft of torque when coupled with the 5 speed automatic, and 375 hp with 404 lb·ft when matched with the same Tremec 6-speed manual transmission as the SRT8.
Marchionne has confirmed on September 3 that due to acceptable sales figures, the current Challenger will be in production for two more model years.
2014 Dodge Charger was manufactured at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario.
In addition to official Dodge concept cars, there have been numerous limited production and street legal variants created by third parties, based on stock cars that have been rebuilt with modified powertrains, suspensions, and interiors. These include the SMS 570 and 570X with up to a claimed 700 bhp, the Mr. Norm's Challengers with a claimed 637 bhp or 900 bhp horsepower, the supercharged SpeedFactory SF600R with around 600 bhp, the supercharged Richard Petty Signature Series with a claimed 610 bhp, and the Legacy by Petty.
Scat Package 1 includes Mopar cold air intake, Mopar cat-back exhaust, Scat Package 1 badge, all-new performance calibrated engine controller "optimized" to the 5.7-liter HEMI engine.
Scat Package 2 adds a customized, optimized performance calibration feature tailored for Scat Package 2, a new Mopar performance camshaft works in conjunction with the components of the Scat Package 1 kit, 'Scat Package 2' badge.
Scat Package 3 adds optimized performance calibration tailored for Scat Package 3, new Mopar performance CNC ported and polished cylinder heads, Mopar performance camshaft, Mopar hi-flow performance headers, Scat Package 3 badge.
The SEMA concept car includes 20-inch Classic II forged aluminum wheels in Hyperblack II with a polished lip, an electronic and variable quick-dump side exhaust, front and rear strut bars and an adjustable suspension kit with a coil-over kit and stabilizer bar, a black concept hood and side valence, a black fuel filler door, black hood pins, sequential tail lamps, Katzkin black performance leather seats, black performance leather door-panel inserts with Dodge brand's stripes, Dodge Challenger logo embroidered in bright red on the front leather seats, red stitching at seats, shifter boot and steering wheel; Dodge flat-bottom performance steering wheel, pistol grip shifter, red seat-belt webbing and red carpet bindings, satin black and black chrome bezels, gloss-black trim on the steering wheel, center stack, center console and door handles.
In addition to official Dodge concept cars, there have been numerous limited production and street legal variants created by third parties, based on stock cars that have been rebuilt with modified powertrains, suspensions, and interiors. These include the SMS 570 and 570X with up to a claimed 700 bhp, the Mr. Norm's Challengers with a claimed 637 bhp or 900 bhp horsepower, the supercharged SpeedFactory SF600R with around 600 bhp, the supercharged Richard Petty Signature Series with a claimed 610 bhp, and the Legacy by Petty.Source:
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