I'm in full agreement there. Styling (both exterior and interior) are by far my primary factor in purchasing a car. Power and speed only play a factor after the first two are taken care of.
I love the exterior of the new Camaro......hate the interior. Hate the exterior and interior of the new Mustang. Love both on my Charger.
After reading through this thread, I would highly recommend reading Bob Lutz's book "Car Guys vs. Bean Counters." While primarily GM based (and a little self-aggrandising) Lutz does a good job of showing the mind set of the automotive world when it comes to car design and engine decisions.
It's a good and easy read, even for us color and comic book types.
FG
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"Victorious warriors win first, and then go to war....
while defeated warriors go to war seeking to win." -Sun Tzu
Perhaps the answer is keeping a larger model with a wee bit less performance (or at least two performance levels-N/A and SC versions) and the smaller platform to compete on a level playing field with the smaller Camaros and Mustangs?
Either way, styling MUST be at the forefront. I, for one, will not buy a Camaro or Mustang wanna be, no matter if it had 800hp. Would love to see the 99 Charger concept come to life. JMHO, Tom
Your analogy is actually what is believed to be happening. The new 2015 Challenger is said to still be large (but not as big as it is now), and the 'Cuda will be the smaller Camaro and Mustang fighter (those both shrinking themselves for 2014 / 2015). If Ralph and team can style a modern 70 Cuda that beats the Camaro and Mustang at their own game, I think they'll have a winner on their hands.
New Challenger just has to lose some mid section and girth to be perfect IMO. Done right it'll look even more like a 70 Challenger and likely lose a few hundred pounds in the process.
Your analogy is actually what is believed to be happening. The new 2015 Challenger is said to still be large (but not as big as it is now), and the 'Cuda will be the smaller Camaro and Mustang fighter (those both shrinking themselves for 2014 / 2015). If Ralph and team can style a modern 70 Cuda that beats the Camaro and Mustang at their own game, I think they'll have a winner on their hands.
New Challenger just has to lose some mid section and girth to be perfect IMO. Done right it'll look even more like a 70 Challenger and likely lose a few hundred pounds in the process.
They also need a factory convertible
Chrysler should become a leader for a change and have a convertible that actually seats 4 adults
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2006 SRT8 175,000 miles+ (ordered with F1s and options)
If the govt was still calculating the unemployment rate using the same criteria, the “official” rate today would be closer to 18%. In 2004, median income man in his 30s - $35,010. Adj. for inflation, 12 percent less than 1974.
...Would love to see the 99 Charger concept come to life. JMHO, Tom
Yep, but with a more retro twist...
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2006 Inferno Red SRT-8
Option groups I, II, & III + Sunroof
Built Thursday February 23, 2006 Triple A Performance (AirFunnel, AirHog, Aces IV) QuantumBlue Custom Blended Oil (Yeah, it's that good)
I will drive her until one of us dies!1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
My favorite color, only needs a white R/T rear stripe and it's perfect!! I'm sold!! Might even say bye to my SRT. Ralph, you listening?
As you requested...
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2006 Inferno Red SRT-8
Option groups I, II, & III + Sunroof
Built Thursday February 23, 2006 Triple A Performance (AirFunnel, AirHog, Aces IV) QuantumBlue Custom Blended Oil (Yeah, it's that good)
I will drive her until one of us dies!1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
I think we, as enthusiasts, are threading a very fine line in indicating we want lighter, smaller versions of what we already have. Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.
I have a 2010 Challenger R/TC and a 2013 SRT Charger. One of the main reasons I decided on these cars rather than the competition, in addition to the styling, was the size. I have taken my Challenger on three, over 2500 mile trips, and cannot express how great the car is as a tourer. I have spent time in both the Camaro and the Mustang, and there is no way I'd like to spend that much time/mileage in either.
Perhaps the answer is keeping a larger model with a wee bit less performance (or at least two performance levels-N/A and SC versions) and the smaller platform to compete on a level playing field with the smaller Camaros and Mustangs?
Either way, styling MUST be at the forefront. I, for one, will not buy a Camaro or Mustang wanna be, no matter if it had 800hp. Would love to see the 99 Charger concept come to life. JMHO, Tom
Just about everyone I know who has driven a Challenger, says it would be their car of choice if they were going on a long trip over the other cars in the same 'category'. It is definitely much more of a touring car at heart.
I wonder...if I eat all my vegetables.........and say all my prayers....will Dodge have pity and make one? Make mine w/ a 392 and a six speed, please
Perhaps...but just to be sure you have a full dream image, I added a few details...
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2006 Inferno Red SRT-8
Option groups I, II, & III + Sunroof
Built Thursday February 23, 2006 Triple A Performance (AirFunnel, AirHog, Aces IV) QuantumBlue Custom Blended Oil (Yeah, it's that good)
I will drive her until one of us dies!1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
Just saw the most recent Car & Driver mag at the grocery store tonight - the feature article was a head to head test of the Viper vs the ZR1... CD's test results were similar to Motor Trends which Ralph Gilles was grousing about a few weeks ago.
Car & Driver also tested the cars.at Laguna Seca... the ZR-1 lapped 2 seconds quicker than the Viper... which is a huge disparity in performance, and consistent with the times that Motor Trend saw there.
Also, the Vette slalomed faster, and could pull higher lateral Gs than the Viper.
The only edge the Viper has is at the 1/4 mile - where it nipped the Vette by 1/10th. You'd think with a brutish V-10 it would dominate in the straight line. However, trap speed for the Viper was a couple mph lower showing that it's running out of steam in a race against a Vette. In fact, the Vette was 2 seconds quicker in 0-150 mph acceleration than the Viper. In 1/2 mile or longer drag races, the Vette will win.
Yet the Viper is $10,000 more expensive than the Vette. Very disappointing. I was expecting a world-beater, but it can't even beat it's domestic competition. The Viper is a beautiful car, but can't hang with the Corvette.
Like I said - SRT needs to step up or drop the moniker...
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1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
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