Spy photos: 2008 Dodge Challenger uncovered

What took so long?
 
It's a short wheelbase 300C, which was out half a decade ago.
 
Why so long for a coupe on this platform to appear? Sheesh.
 
By the time it comes out, gas will cost $4/gallon and everyone who wanted a muscle car already owns 3 Mustangs.

1994 called. It wants its taillights back.

I agree with ateixeira. Chrysler taking this long to design the Challenger is ridiculous.
 
The Mustang is safe for two reason:
 
1. The Challenger will only be offered in limited quantities and SRT-8 trim the first year.
 
2. It'll cost about $40K, and even more after the dealers mark them up. You can still get the Mustang GT with 300hp for $25K. Until an SXT or RT model comes out, the Mustang is fine.
 
And I kinda like the taillights :-)

I'll take the Camaro, thank you very much.

good point, flicmod.
I wonder how good the interior is with this Dodge. I once considered buying a Mustang convt but I couldn't get passed having to deal with the cheap material used on the interior. I looked at both Mustang and 350z, both cost about the same, but sitting inside the 350z was just that much better.

Hope they're not expecting to sell a lot of these - the car may be great, but, as GM found out with the Camaro/Firebird, price talks, and most folks will be swayed by getting a Mustang GT for what looks to be thousands less.

I'm not a huge fan of the interior of the 'Stang either. Way too generic looking. And way too poor in quality. I'll say that if the Challenger is anything like other Chrysler products, then it's interior is going to be on par or worse than Ford's.
 
I'd much rather have the Z as well :-)

Since when has the Z had great interior quality/materials? People have always said the 350Z was pretty plasticky.
 
I don't think the Challenger will disappoint on the inside. The new Ram shows Dodge can do it right when they want to.
 
ateixeira - the 300C has only been out since 2005, not five years ago as you said. The concept form was only shown in 2006, and given most concepts take a year to come to production I dont think the Challenger was late.

Those tail lights look like they came off a Z31.
http://www.az-zbum.com/images/differences.lights.tail.87-89.jpg
 
Lookin' good! Also, for the naysayers out there, the folks that want to buy this aren't crossshopping Mustangs. They've been waiting a long long time for this.

I love the idea of producing a modern version of a classic car but I wish the manufactureres would also retain the styling DETIALS that make the old cars stand out. The car above looks like a Challenger with no detail.

Really like the car, but wish that the SRT had something different about it to make me see one and go, "SRT!"
 
Maybe a shaker hood scoop?

Looks good. Just change the tail lights though.. They remind me of the old Intrepid's.

I'll take the Camaro. It is more of a modern design with heritage cues rather than a direct copy of an old model. Considering GM's engine lineup, transmissions, gearing, and projected weight, it will probably be faster than the Challenger (and far faster than the Mustang.) The handling capabilities of the Zeta platform have already been praised. The Mustang and Challenger won't even come close there (please, a live axle on the Stang and 4000 lbs for the Challenger? Weak). And GM has promised that the Camaro will be priced very close to the Mustang. Considering a very nicely equipped full-size V8 powered sedan built on the same platform goes for $30,000, I have no doubt a V8 Camaro could be had for very little money. Simply put, the Mustang, Challenger, 350Z, and all other affordable RWD coupes don't stand a chance.

I want to know what the Challenger will look like on the lesser models. If I can get one with a 5.7 Hemi and a 6 speed manual and its called the RT that will be fine with me. I also hope that its priced under $30,000. Also I would be heading to the aftermarket parts bins for my own changes anyway. I would like to see the shaker hood from the factory. But I hope to see a huge line up from Direct Connection (the old marketing in my garage for MOPOR Parts) and others.

I like the Camaro as well. I will like it even better if it comes with the firebird name. someone once posted a photoshop of what a new firebird would look like and it's awesome. everyone has a different reason why he would purchase an automoblie. to me, i'm not too concern about speed or horsepower. look and feel are more important. for example, the 350z sure no doubt is plasticky, just like many cars now a day even mercedes and bmw, however, it's the construction of it that doesn't make it FEEL cheap, unlike the mustangs. like I said, it feels right. I can't comment that on the camaro nor the new dodge because I have not sat in one yet.

What BMW is plasticky? I have a new generation 3 and the interior quality has never been better.