The End of the Dodge Challenger is Near
At Detroit Auto Show Dodge Declares the Challenger's Run Soon Over
Dodge has plans in place to end the Challenger's production run in 2014 and replace their pony car with a smaller, more CAFE friendly Barracuda.
If Dodge has one thing at their disposal it's a cadre of legendary Chrysler nameplates at their disposal, and the name Baracuda is just another one of them. The Dodge Challenger, while beautiful and impressive (and very able to hold its own, performance-wise, especially in SRT8 form) is heavy. Very heavy, in fact, and that weight has hurt the Challenger's sales as well as its market image.
This weight issue has made the current Challenger an uncommon sight at track days around the nation where its closest competitors--the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro--can be found in droves, and it's this weight issue that will ultimately lead to the Challenger's demise.
CAFE restrictions have become rough, and Dodge as a brand is having trouble keeping its numbers where they need to be in relation to CAFE averages and standards. The weighty Challenger, and its weighty brother the Charger, don't help with this either. For this reason, the move to a lighter--and, as result, more fuel friendly--alternative seemed like a given.
Thus enters the Dodge Barracuda. Thus far, little is known about the Barracuda. What Dodge has said is that the vehicle will not be built on the Challenger's LY Platform, and, according to rumors will be constructed on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the Hyundai Genesis coupe. This platform, whether it or another one is used, will guaranteed be shorter, thinner, and much lighter than the Challenger LY one.
These moves should ultimately take the Challenger, through means of downsizing, from a Grand-Touring Coupe as it is currently built to a more legitimate, light-weight and high-performing sports car--the likes of which, outside of the Viper, Dodge hasn't produced in decades. Also, this move makes sense in conjunction with the Alfa Romeo co-ownership of Dodge now, as either purchasing the rights to the Genesis platform or producing an entirely new one would provide Alfa Romeo with an affordable, lightweight, RWD platform that could be utilized for a more entry-level sports vehicle in their very successful European market--maybe something to battle with the BMW 1M and other vehicles of that nature?
Ultimately, Dodge has this new Barracuda slated for release in the 2014 model year--which means that we should begin seeing concept versions of it in the upcoming months. This 2014 date would mean that the entire life-span of the Challenger, launched in this iteration in 2008, would be just over five years. The 2014 date also puts the Barracuda in line to compete with the revamped 50th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang set for release that same year, and the next generation Chevrolet Camaro that's scheduled for release in the 2015 model year.
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January 15th, 2012 - 19:52
Bullshit and blatant lies.
January 31st, 2012 - 23:58
Wish it were so, but I’m not the only one reporting on it. Motor Trend, Motor Authority, Jalopnik, and MSN Autos have all reported the same news in the last week. It’s a sad day, for certain, and I can understand getting upset about it.
January 31st, 2012 - 23:33
The wight hurt Challenger sales? I own a R/T and the weight doesn’t seem to hurt the performance. Unless you don’t actually own one and that was just your theory.
Actual reason for suffering Challenger sales. Mustang and Camaro are being whored out big time. You can get either with 0% APR or even cash back. Plus their after market is considerably cheaper.
You have better color selections (slightly) with the ‘Stang and Camaro. As well as an available convertible version.
You don’t have a convertible Chally yet. (nor will we ever from the factory…)
Plus, you have to be awesome to own a V8 Challenger. While you only have to be a girly girl to own a Mustang and a have a massive receding hairline to own the Camaro.
January 31st, 2012 - 23:55
You’re right about the Mustang and Camaro being whored out, but that’s also result of their higher sales numbers. As for the weight changing performance on the Challenger, trust me, I love the vehicle and I hate to say it, but it does. The car needs to lose some weight, and it’s evident when looking at track times in comparison to its competition. It has as much HP and continually posts lower times.
It’s a better car, that’s better built and has a nicer interior–and definitely looks a LOT better than the Mustang and Camaro–but it’s also a bit of a fatty, and has track times that suffer by comparison as result of that.
January 31st, 2012 - 23:56
And yes, I do own a 2010 Challenger SRT8. I’d never own a different muscle car, the thing’s just too damn beautiful.
Also, the lack of a convertible is definitely a factor here as well, but not the only reason. The Camaro sold astronomically well before the introduction of the convertible.
February 2nd, 2012 - 04:26
All this talk about the weight making it not competitive… how many people only bought the Challenger to track it? How many people bought it simply because it looked hot and has tons of power? I can’t imagine that more than 50% of the demograph that bought the Challenger is doing quarter miles and stock racing with it. Those who are doing it have the option to get the drag pack. Pay to play though… get the right tool for the job, and it’s 1000 pounds lighter FOR RACING.
This “the car is too heavy” is bullshit. I get 24 mpg with my 2010 R/T and it’s not being raced. When I do want the power, I have over 400 hp (a few mods, I’ll admit) and it leaves little to desire.
There’s something charming about it being out of the reach of the rat-rods and 20 year olds that are into the ricer/mod scene that gives it a pristege and sense of being proud to own it. It’s fairly unique. And I’m damn proud to own one.
February 7th, 2012 - 19:05
This sucks!!!!!!!, I just bought one of these things as soon as they cease production on the Challenger its resale value is going to go straight to hell. I love my car I really do but now Im dreading the fire sale that will go on and ultimately make my RT worthless on the marketplace. Yes the challenger is to heavy and far to big to be a true sports car but I bought mine because its essentially an american grand tourer with great styling and performance to match. Going to a smaller platform makes sense to give the chrysler group a true sports car to better compete in this segment but it still sucks for me as a consumer. Its far more exclusive than a camaro or mustang but I have to say them ending production on this car in only 1 more year will is a slap in the face to anyone who bought one because they are now officially worthless on the resale market……
February 11th, 2012 - 16:41
While you’re right to a degree that value will drop immediately, if you’re worried about resale and can hold on to your Challenger for a few years post production ending, you’ll actually see your value hold better as result of the exclusivity of the vehicle based on lower production numbers. We’ve seen it time and time again in the market, and I expect it to be true with a car as gorgeous and as coveted as the Challenger again, that desire to own won’t go down and a lot of people will ultimately rather pay a premium on the older model to be able to have one as opposed to a smaller, more general-purpose new one.
February 7th, 2012 - 19:51
I am glad to see people passionate about the Challenger. I must admit I was upset to learn that the 2012 Challenger I just bought might be obsolete in a couple of years. I have said it before out of the three reborn muscle cars only the Challenger looks like the modern day version of the original.
We may all belong to a small select club of proud Challenger owners. Got to be honest…I like it that way
February 11th, 2012 - 16:42
Yeah, and I think that same degree of exclusivity the Challenger has will only be bolstered by the end of its production run. I imagine there will be a bit of a push in the years that follow the model’s end of consumers looking to purchase one and prepared to pay a bit of a premium on it as result of the smaller number of available models. I also fully expect this iteration of the Challenger to be a true collector’s vehicle a couple decades from now.