What is Digg?88 Comments
- ScornForSega, on 10/12/2007, -6/+50Coming in 2015: The resurrection of the K-car.
- TheAcidQueen, on 10/12/2007, -8/+48That's the sexiest bare metal I have ever seen.
- ScornForSega, on 10/12/2007, -31/+63Watching Chrysler's slow descent into bankruptcy is pretty entertaining.
Gas prices are higher than ever and expected to go up even further this summer and what does Chrysler do? Introduce the Nitro, the Patriot, the Compass and the Commander a few years back.
Nevermind the Charger, the upcoming Avenger and now the resurrected Challenger.
Hey Chrysler, remember when you got your asses kicked in the 70's by foreign econo-boxes because you chose to build nothing but land barges? Well, it's obvious that your've forgotten history 'cause you're being doomed to repeat it. It's no wonder Toyota is the largest auto maker now... the American companies aren't even trying. - AllnightChemist, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26Looks better than the resurrected Charger.
- bonked, on 10/12/2007, -4/+22Scornforsega - Do some research on the target market for this vehicle and you will see that you're comparison is way off base. Yes, they have made bad moves in the past, but they have some very unique vehicles that are coming to market soon, and this one walked away with all the press when the prototype was unveiled 1 1/2 years ago.
Also, this isn't the only thing they are coming to market with, they have numerous vehicles that do compete well with the high MPG competitors on the market - they are just being smart enough to service a neglected niche that will indeed likely do well for them. Also, look at the trend for Chrysler over the past few years, it has been an upward trend, not a decline, so they are doing something right. - gaqua, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18You cared enough to post a comment telling us how little you cared.
- OUChevelleSS, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13Finally a company that has the right idea about bringing back the 'classics'. It looks like one and it doesn't have four doors.
- hexydes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13I've loved this thing since I first saw it at the 2006 Auto Show in Detroit. If the price is right, mark me down for one.
- gtluke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11v8 rwd cars don't get bad gas mileage. my 1986 v8 mustang consistently got 28mpg on highway trips, where my 91 turbo mitsubishi galant i've never got better than 23mpg out of ever. the galant might have half the motor, but at the same speed its spinning twice as fast pushing the awd at speed also consumes a lot of fuel.
the vettes can get 30+ mpg on the highway and they have 7 liter engines. - jferraro, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15@scornforsega
Go call the waaaahbulance, I hear that gets pretty good mileage - jer2eydevil88, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14I'm sorry but Dodge is not a poor quality brand, lets talk Kia or early model Hyundai if you want to talk about poor quality.
- Goatman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9No, actually it has lines like a late 60s, early 70s Chrysler E-Body.
- noonz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Actually, that pic IS a factory. It's Volkswagen's Dresden plant where they build the Phaeton. And yes, the Phaeton is expensive, so you're seeing some of that effort come back in the sticker price:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1837641 - aidenuncle48, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Here's a link to just the pics...
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/dodge-challenger-preproduction-body-shells/ - snyderjw, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8AAaaarrgghh! That B-pillar actually REALLY harms the classic look of the whole thing. I guess I should just be happy that it's still a two door. The 4 door charger is blasphemy.
As for large cars being the downfall of Chrysler, I have to disagree. I think there is room to mimic the small reliable Japanese car, but in so doing, we can't lose the quintessential American muscle car. It is what defines us. Even when everything has witched to hybrid, electric, or hydrogen, that aggressive American styling will be what I'm shopping for, no matter what's under the hood, it just looks... sexy. - gorkish, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Not to nitpick here but that photograph is indeed a photo of a factory. Granted this section is after welding and paint, but the rest of the line looks equally bright and clean. The factory in the photo is for Volkswagen Phaeton's and while they are expensive (I personally don't like them or much of anything VW makes) they are priced competitively with their competition, so it's difficult to say that keeping a clean factory is making them that much more expensive...
You can see more photos of this particular factory here: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=7207&page_number=1 - flymolo2k, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9@gtluke
Your 86 mustang got good gas milage because is had baby dick numbers for HP. Non turbo 4 bangers today make as much hp as that push rod did. Also your rear end ration in that thing was like 2:73 or something horrible like that.
A V8 with real HP and real gear ratio will get bad gas milage. - gaqua, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Not every car has to be the world's most reasonable vehicle with good gas mileage and unoffensive styling.
There's room in the market for muscle cars that sell to a niche market as well as economy commuter cars. I'll probably buy one to park in the garage next to a commuter car that gets 40mpg plus. There's a time for fun and a time for responsibility. It's why I don't wear basketball shoes to work. - raptordrew, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8I've been waiting for this thing a long time... I own a 74 Cuda and think it has a prettier bodyline, but I will take one of these things any day! Long live the E-Body!
- clichemonster, on 10/12/2007, -6/+11@scornforsega -
Say what you will, but Chrysler is still the only player out there making cars that turn heads. They're not monuments to engineering, and the point you make about the ecological economy are well-founded, but the fact is that we all oogled the PT Crusier, the Crossfire, and the 300 - and under the Dodge emblem everybody coos about the Caliber, the Viper, the Charger and the Magnum.
As long as the body shells make people stare in traffic, the descent into bankruptcy will be slow indeed. - scuzzman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Because that car is frickin' sweet!
- jeylux, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6looks better than anything GM is trying to reproduce.
i'm sure the drive line will still suck though. - jefflundberg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@scornforsega
The Challenger is clearly not aimed at someone trying to save money on gas.
The Patriot, Compas, and Caliber get 30 - 32 MPG hwy. Not bad at all. On the high-end (in terms of power) they're ready to launch a 5.7-liter HEMI hybrid powertrain in 2008 with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS). That'll add a 25-40% improvement in fuel economy without sacrificing power.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv5iz6DO_Yo
On the hydrogen side of things, DaimlerChrysler has the largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles available today.
As far as the financial situation goes, if you take a look at the past 3-5 years, the Chrysler Group has made a profit. - gaqua, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4No way. These are Dodges. Chrysler will build ***** of them, sell a low-end version with the 3.5L HO V6 (250hp/250tq) and a 4-speed auto for $20k or so, with a $2500 rebate. Then they'll have the RT with the 5.7L Hemi (340hp/390tq) for about $5-10k more depending on options, and then the SRT8 version with the 6.1L Hemi (425hp/420tq) that costs $35k or so.
If anything goes for $20k over MSRP, it'll be the "Limited Edition" version they do with the 6.6L Hemi they talked about, it'll probably produce 520hp+ and growl like a pissed-off rhino.
It doesn't really matter what they do at launch, even if it's like the PT Cruiser where they're rare so they sell for over invoice at first, a year later they'll be at the right price with huge rebates and incentives because people just don't buy American as much as they used to due to reliability concerns.
Shame, too, since most American vehicles are more reliable than most European vehicles. - MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I'm guessing you don't like the Calibre. From my perspective, it's a car that with a little more refinement could be a solid winner. Its got decent looks and with the SRT model coming soon, up to 300 horsepower. The cooler for beverages is a nice touch, the basic stereo is pretty decent (especially with the Bose rear unit), the CVT tranny gives it decent milage, a standard 2-prong 110 Vac jack in the front for your traveling electronic goodies. Its got enough leg and head room for me (6"6') in the front and considering its size has got good rear passenger room as well. All for well under $20K.
It on my short list for a commuter vehicle. Its sibling the Jeep Compass on the other looks butt-ugly to me. I would also consider the Honda Element except for the rear doors that can't be opened unless the first open the front doors. Say what you want about D-C, they're putting out some cars that aren't cookie cutters from everything else. - Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The only car from the mid-'80s deserving any muscle car respect is the Buick GNX.
- lburgguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The chassis alone is not "multi-ton".
- BigSlacker, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Probably a ricer trying to pretend not to care how dorky his car looks compared to something with classic style.
- KarbonKopy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6That car has some serious horsepower, and one DAMN sexy body line (I've seen the proto). This is a one good looking performance car in a line of pretty damn cool cars from Dodge....
(Magnum SRT owner) - niradg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4detroit is all about looking to the future
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3
Now that's what I'm talking about ... more horse power in bumper to bumper traffic on 405 in LA ... you can really rev that engine loud! - Nerfdude, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4real power = bad mpg? give me a break. most LS1/6 speed equipped GM's make/made 28mpg highway. the current Corvette Z06 has an LS7 (7.0 liter V8), makes 505 horsepower, and still manages 26mpg highway.
also, the most powerful factory four cylinder today is in the Lancer Evolution, and it just barely scrapes 300hp, if i'm not mistaken. and if you've ever driven one, you'd truly know that the old adage "there's no replacement for displacement" still rings true. - negativefx, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7I hope you're not including the Caliber in that list of 'pretty damn cool cars from Dodge'
- gaqua, on 10/12/2007, -3/+61st - It's not a Chevy, it's a Dodge.
2nd - That's not a factory at all. And to be honest, if it were a factory, the cars produced there would be overpriced as *****. Think of all the labor costs to clean those floors, keep the place spotless, repair damage to the hardwood floors from falling oil droplets or car parts, etc. - gaqua, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3No joke. You can buy a turbo 4-banger from the factory with what, 300hp or more? Today's cars smoke the hell out of mid-80s cars in just about every way. Of course, you can also buy a 6.0L V8 GTO with 400HP for under $30k. Or at least you could, if they didn't cancel it.
After the emissions standards changed, it took a while before people figured out how to get good power again. - jimmiejaz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Why oh why couldn't they do that with the Charger? The General Lee is up to over half a million dollars at auction!
http://www.pr-inside.com/schneider-selling-off-general-lee-r106736.htm
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6207875/auctions/bo-duke-puts-his-general-lee-on-the-auction-block/ - corvairkid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Near as I can find, a non-SVO '86 5.0L Mustang was making 200 hp and 285 lb/ft torque stock. What I can't find is a NA 4 cyl that posts those numbers even while screaming at 8000 rpm. He's getting good highway mileage BECAUSE of that 2.73 rear end and also because the car weighs ***** all. I bet the old 302 is just loafing along at 1500 rpm.
Even my '67 Chrysler Newport Custom (4 dr hardtop) does 15 city/22 highway and that's with a 383 V8/3-speed auto. 40 years, 94,000 miles, 4000 lbs, still has the carb, ignition points, everything. Brutally ugly but I'll never lose it in a parking lot. - sir1real, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"...are what you might call radioactive."
I might, but probably not since I don't see what this has do with anything. Did I miss something here? - bigredgpk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Holy ***** that is something else...
- darkcooger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Not everyone chooses their car based on fuel efficiency. In fact, I barely considered it on my car - a 2005 Mustang GT. I chose mine based on the fact that the '05 Mustangs looked awesome, and I'd always wanted a Mustang anyway. When I saw the concepts for the new Mustang, I knew that was the style I wanted. So gas prices be damned, I'm driving an American muscle car. Now granted, my next probably won't be a muscle car, but I'm getting plenty of enjoyment out of the one I have now.
And guess what? I'm not in the 40-50 age range. I was 23 when I bought the car. And put in the same situation again today with current gas prices, I'd buy it again. And you know what else? I think that Challenger looks damn sweet and if it had been available when I bought my Mustang, I might have had a hard time choosing one (barring the huge price difference, I'm sure). - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3My parents have been driving a K car (Reliant) since 1984.
- combatchuck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Mostly because we hate people like you. I'm sure a CB and a cigarette lighther (with an ashtray) will be options. It might even have a built in gun rack.
- combatchuck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I work in a US factory. Trust me, that's not a US factory. If my job were anything like that place, I wouldn't be going to college this fall.
- Cmain, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think that it would be a good thing for Chrysler if the Benz group dumped them. When Benz initially bought Chrysler, Chrysler was doing very well. They are trying to control the whole company from Germany. If the Chrysler group could merge with some auto manufacturer that needs an American market like Renault they could do very well. You need someone that actually knows a thing or two about cars to run a car company.
- shark72, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"I might, but probably not since I don't see what this has do with anything. Did I miss something here?"
They use the term "radioactive" here as a metaphor. The images aren't leaking particles in the literal sense, obviously. The writer used the term because there was apparently a massive security breach, and they're sensitive enough that if just one site posted them, there's a fair chance that Chrysler's lawyers might come calling. Thus they are "radioactive" in the sense of "you don't want to touch them." Again, not literally in the sense of giving you cancer. But, as the article noted, since they're showing up on enough web sites, they're probably safe to post.
This same double meaning is also behind the common slang "hot" for something that's been stolen. A stolen item is not literally hot to the touch, but it's something you don't want to have possession of, as possession of stolen property can get you in trouble. - LENNY2112, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I have a 70' Challenger I'm building for the dragstip and hopefully soon a new Challenger for the street. :)
raptor was right "long live the E-Body" - BLACKEAGLE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1i want that car
- rigg419, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I agree. Kia and Hyundai are also terrible, I just think Dodge is right up there. They make awesome looking cars that tend to be unreliable. Three of my frind's bought Dodges in the last 2 years. A Ram, a Magnum and a Calibur (Caliber?) All three had major electrical, transmission or engine problems in the first 6 months.
- RaggTopp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well I'll be damned, it really was a production facility. But to call it either a "manufacturing plant" or an "assembly line" isn't really fair or totally accurate.
Yes it's technically both, but the speed at which the line runs keeps it from being compared to any other assembly line in the world. This is more of a "hand built" factory setup, VERY far from any kind of real mass production. The whole process was designed without profit in mind it seems. This over-the-top "factory" has gross expenditures all around. It looks more like a theme park than a car assembly facility. It has a bar and restaurant on the premise even, NOT for the employees but for visitors.
That all being said, this is now a definite vacation stop when I go over to Germany in a year.
I also find it amusing to hear that Porsche is buying up a significant portion of VW now. They don't want all of VW, but they already have 30% and I read somewhere that part of that 30% buyout contract was that they eventually had to acquire the rest of the company. - xdre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Unbelievable. The dashstrokers have found Digg.
The Challenger pics are clearly taken after hours, and in what appears to be a test-fit area (the big hint would be the spray painted letters or the mismatched paint). Comparing those pictures to factory glamor shots taken in final assembly under optimal lighting conditions is a ridiculous way to extrapolate quality. -
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