The unveiling of the Camaro Z/28, based on the latest incarnation of Chevrolet’s muscle car, seems to have gotten Chrysler officials thinking. Their Dodge Challenger is currently far too heavy, and they feel that it can’t compete with the more modern bow-tie sports car, or the much-improved latest Ford Mustang.
However, according to MotorTrend, a Z/28-challenger may be on its way, but it will require a lot of work on Chrysler’s side, in order to make it happen, and to be competitive.
It is suggested that the track-focused Challenger would have to lose a lot of weight, gain better brakes and stiffer springs, as well as an improved version of the 6.4-liter 392 Hemi V8, which currently makes 470 hp and 470 pound-feet (636 Nm). Power should be up, and if it still isn’t enough, there’s always the 8.4-liter V10, and if they were to put that under the bonnet of the Challenger, it would be turned into a much more unique proposition, and probably be priced above its rivals.
The magazine states, however, that chances of getting the V10 are very slim.
In addition, if they are to keep the same naming philosophy that they have with the Viper, then this more focused machine would be called the Challenger TA, which stands for Time Attack. Production won’t stop at 33 units like they are doing with the Viper, though, and while it will carve itself a niche within a niche, it is probably the way to go for Dodge and Chrysler, if they don’t want to be left too far behind the muscle-car pack.
There is also another option of basing this TA model on the replacement for the current Challenger, rumored to resurrect the Barracuda nameplate. Still, according SRT boss Ralph Gilles, the development of the new Barracuda, is still a few years away. The repost says it may very well share its platform with Alfa’s upcoming RWD 5-Series-challenger, and go on sale around the same time as that car – whenever that may be…
By Andrei Nedelea
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