New Challenger Concept
 

http://autoshow.msn.com/as/article.aspx?xml=DCX1&shw=autoshow2006

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http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/meris...nterior_01.jpg

This one, I like. But keep in mind the production car "may" be different than the concept car. The Boxster comes to mind...

it screams MOPAR. i like it.

What did the Boxster concept look like?

No pistol grip shifter....no deal.

Much more like the original 550 Spyder than the production vehicle did. A HUGE difference between the concept car & production. If MOPAR stays true to the concept, they have a hell of a retro design ride here...and I usually don't like "retro" cars.
A money maker in the making..IF they stay true...

I like it! That 996 I've had my eye on might not happen now!

Yep...think I'll be ordering mine in (non cop bait) white...IF it stays true to the lines between now & production.

Is that so it will be easier to paint pearlescent purple? Don't forget the 21" spinners.

I'm thinking of one as a fun daily driver...my "toy" car will retain it's current status...only Cindy's grocery getter will be a bit more than it is now. Legion, do I detect some Mopar hatred here? :)

No hatred of Mopar.

Just predicting what a lot of these will end up looking like.

Retro done well, too bad I hate retro.

if only they could make them handle well...
...maybe they could put merc's underpinnings to accomplish that?

They probably will.

They are based on the same platform as the current 300C, Charger, and Magnum.

Which is based on the last-generation platform for the MB E-class.

I've heard nothing but praise for the last generation E55 AMG.

The unspoken words I hear with each retro-clone from a manufacturer are "Well, we could not think of a cool design on our own, lets go plagarize something else. Oh and make it from our own previous line-up so we don't get sued and we can bank on some nostalgia from the buyers.".

I think clones from a secondary manufacturer or shop are great. I would love to take a '69 Camaro and freshen it up; add some handling, etc so I am not a hater of the idea. But from the big guys just seems despirate.

"Retro" is because of the Boomers.

Think about it, their parents didn't want updated designs from the 20s and 30s. Boomers lusted after the cars of the 50s and 60s. Look at the prices of production Challengers. They are in the six figures range. Nostalgia is fueling the demand for the originals. Carmakers are picking up on the trend, and are making cars for the rest of the people that can't afford the high auction prices of the originals.

BTW, I don't think my generation will be lusting after Civics and Neons.

I love it. Wish I was in the market for that kind of car.

I had a '70 Mustang Boss 351, but buddies had GTOs, Charger 440 6 packs, Cuda 340s, real Z28s(the '69 variety) etc. those were some fun times;)

Sexy

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How long has it been since you've seen an original idea come out of Detroit? Is this truely the best they can do? Remakes of cars from 35 years ago with better handling and more features? Decade late copies of someone else's best selling roadster?
I agree with the idea they are building memory lane cars for the 'Boomers'. But WHERE is the innovation, the pride and the jaw dropping inspiration that used to have us peeking through the papered-up windows of the dealerships in September?
No wonder they're building 'memory lane specials'. I'm clearly living in the past. Detroit, as I knew it, is dead.
Les

Legion has some good points. A certain nostalgia is wrapped into these retro cars - and to want nostalgia, one might be willing to forgo practicality and realistic prices, at least with automobiles.

Personally, I'd love to have today the sleeper that our old Mercedes 6.3 was, but no new Mercedes does it for me, nor a BMW.

the Mini is a prime example as is the Miata of retro. After all, there is the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But let's look at the other side of the picture: some new cars, newly designed from the ground up, are simply hideous. There are some Mercedes Benz and BMWs that are simply hideous.

Given this, if one wants familarity in shape and design, they might want to go to a retro looking automobile as opposed to something that design-wise, is brand new on the road.

As to the Challenger - that's probably one of the better retro designs for an American car that I've seen since this whole trend began.