Nice Design, Shame about the car...

We've all had one of these at some time. Sharp sporty cars for their time, that for whatever reasons, bad engineering, poor management, or just bad luck in the stars didn't turn out to be what we thought they would be. Attractive cars that were plentiful and common to see just a few years ago, and now have virtually vanished from our roadways. Automobiles that were once modern and stylish to us then, but wouldn't necessarily want to be driving today.

The Dodge Intrepid

The Intrepid started out as a genuine gee whiz prototype built on a Lamborghini chassis. In the late 80's Chrysler designer, Kevin Verduyn, begin work on the Najao, as a replacement for the aging K-car based Dynasty. Initially the concept wasn't seen as feasible. The design had many elements of the "cab forward" design that would be the hallmark of the LH platform (Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, & Eagle Vision). Extending of the windshield/A-pillars out & over the drive front wheels and the stretching of the rear (providing more interior room) was evident, but the feasibility and mechanics were not working out, smaller engine compartment size issues (required for the cab forward design)were proving to be engineering headaches.

Along comes the fortunate bankruptcy of Lamborghini for Chrysler, who bought up the famous Italian supercar maker. With that the Najao design was revived and with a stretched chassis of a Jalpa, the Portofino, a Lamborghini running prototype developed by Chryslers Pacifica studios, became the spark of life to the Intrepid.

Chrysler's Lamborghini Portofino was the Intrepids inspiration.
Built on a stretched Jalapa chassis.

The Portofino was a stunning show car, and a great platform for working out the engineering issues of the cab forward design. From there Tom Gale, Chrysler vice president of Product Design, and John Herlitz, Chrysler's director of Exterior Passenger Car Design, ran the design right to the production studios.


Intrepid styling buck Intrepid ESX show car

The Intrepid was a smart looking car, borrowing many cues from the prototype (but not the flip up doors) and all the integral bits of the cab forward philosophy. Initially the LH cab forward platform cars sold very well, the design being a genuine step forward from the tired K-car based designs of the past.

ESX concept

Unfortunately, quality and build issues, excessive sludge build up and other engine problems with the standard 2.7 V6, requiring costly repairs, and in some cases engine replacement, killed most of the momentum the cars had with buyers. Even with a fresh, quite skillful and attractive restyle in 1998 the cars never attained the sales forecast Mopar wanted. Today its a sketchy used buy, and already starting to disappear from the roadways due to disrepair. The car was discontinued to make way for the hugely popular new LH rear drive cars like the 300C.


The Isuzu Impulse

What could have been the 2nd generation Scirocco for VW became the Isuzu Impulse (Piazza outside the US). The legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and his design company Italdesign had penned the original Golf and Scirocco and was expected to be contracted for the follow up. After a exhaustive design study, VW went with their own in-house design with Karmann, and Isuzu was more than thrilled to have the fifth Giugiaro "Copernican revolution", the Asso di Fiori (Ace of Clubs prototype) as their own. Elements of car design we now take for granted, flush glass, complete absence of drip/rain gutters and door/shut lines extending to and into the roofline (in the style of limousine doors) were all introduced on a sporty, crisply designed 2+2 coupe in Geneva 1979.

Giugiaro's Asso di Fiori (Ace of Clubs) Piazza show car

Crowds gathered around the display stand in awe, Giugiaro's common themes of tight crisp lines melding with rounded end shapes were very prominent and very popular. Rumors were abound that this was going to be the next 2+2 introductory Lotus. The car and design certainly looked the part.

Mouths dropped when it was revealed that this was going to be a common production car for little known Isuzu. Jaws dropped further when it was known that the car was designed to meet the specifications of the Gemini 1800 (Japanese version of the Chevy Chevette chassis). Thoughts of such a great looking breakthrough design running on what was essentially a mild rehash of the failed Vega platform left many in the industry scratching their heads.

Despite the chassis, the Impulse initially sold well, assuredly due to its stunning good looks and design. Most of the industry magazines gave it great marks, and the Impulse won awards for the its design, but only so-so praise for the anemic 4 cyl. The handling of course left much to be desired working from Chevette underpinnings. By the time the ruse was reveled, that the Impulse was a very attractive paperweight without the power or footing to get out of its own way, sales for its enthusiast target market virtually disappeared. By the time Isuzu realized the problem and returned with a decent car, a turbo version with chassis tuning by Lotus, it was too late to save it.
It’s a shame to see the few cars of these on the road beaten up and abused; it was once a show stopping, award winning design.

The Pontiac Fiero

Pontiac Fiero SE & GT V6

GM’s second only 2 seat production car, and its only mid engine one has a history dating back to the 50’s with the Motorama show car two-seat Bonneville Special, the Club de Mer, heavily based on the new Corvette.

1956 Pontiac Club de Mer

By the mid 60’s Pontiac’s chief John Z. DeLorean (father of the GTO) campaigned heavily for a Pontiac two seat sports car, the Banshee. The Banshee, was a two seat hardtop, resembling much of the soon to be 68 Stingray in both shape and style. Though the design was very attractive, GM execs, understandably, killed the idea for fear of it competing with the Corvette. A second show only car, a mild rendition of the Banshee, appropriately named the Fiero, with a daring open targa style top proved popular but was never planned to make the public roadways.


1964 Pontiac Banshee & 1969 Pontiac Fiero
Come the late 1970’s, Pontiac, still committed to make a two seat sports car, set up plans to present GM with a proposal. A prototype, the “P”-car, was rushed to the Advanced Three design studio. Under designers heads Ron Hill w/John Cafaro, the car was designed to use plastic body panels above and below the center body line. This strong body line, giving a strong forward leaning wedge shape, became the major design theme running the length of the vehicle, rising slowly towards the rear end. Along with purposely large wheel openings, retracting headlights (but no front grille) the mid engine design was a strong and exciting prospect.

A running prototype was built and the final exterior design was moved to John Schinella in Pontiac studios where more specific Pontiac design identity cues, split bumper pads in the traditional Pontiac theme was added and the theme body line was made a rub strip running the entire length of the car.

The P-cars wedge-shaped, mid-engine design was a hit with GM executives, but at the time of rising gas prices, inflation and fuel shortages, the 14th floor at GM could only be convinced to commit to budget for a 2-seat “commuter car”, not a full on sports car. A large part of the Fieros future fate and problems were sealed from that change of focus.

A change to commuters car from sports car meant that to make budget and design specifications the Fiero turned into a GM shelf parts car. To save costs, development for engineering was farmed out to Entech , and to meet a greatly reduced budget and streamline the tooling process, parts were raided from GM parts bin, the front suspension modified from a Chevette, the noisy and rough Iron Duke motor and a rear engine setup modified from a front drive X car platform was used.

The debut was praised by the industry, and sold well, but the legacy of the shelf parts used, along with initial teething problems for a new model (engine fires, cooling and electrical problems) soon changed sales figures. The Fiero was great to look at, but was underpowered and disappointed those expecting a sportier ride to go along with its fresh looks. Slowly GM corrected problems, adding a stronger more powerful V-6 , reworking the rear suspension for proper sports car handling and in 1986 restyling it with a much more coherent and flowing “flying buttress” fastback design. But as it always seems for the General, and revisiting the fate of the Corvair, by the time they got the Fiero “right” GM killed it, just before the Fiero really got its chance to spread its wings and fly. Fieros are seen less and less on the road today and will probably become tomorrows collector’s items.
-gumbypiz.

Dodge Challenger SRT8 by GeigerCars in Essen

As German as GeigerCars is, they know a thing or two about tuning American cars. No surprises then, as the company shows off its latest best from the west creation, a Dodge Challenger-based muscle car using the HEMI V8 to power itself. It's the SRT 8's soul that it comes with, that 6.1-litre V8 which produces 425hp/ 317kW off the showroom floor.

This being GeigerCars, that was never going to be enough, so a force-feeding kit is employed to up the power to a much more inviting 569hp/ 424kW and 678Nm of torque. A stainless steel tailpipe takes care of aural pleasures at the rear. The 22-inch rear wheels handle all this power on request for anyone with the required €14,900.

Braking prowess comes from 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston calipers at the rear, and 380x32 and 355x32 mm brake discs. An H&R adjustable suspension system can be added optionally for €1,529.

Dodge Challenger by Eibach

Eibach chose to cross the Atlantic on a muscle-car-finding mission for their stand at Essen. They sailed back with a Challenger. Based on the Dodge Challenger R/T, a few mods have been made such as a fully adjustable suspension and 9.5 x22-inch OZ Botticelli III-wide rims with 265/30R Toyo Tires Sport tyres wrapped around.

Eibach used the 431hp/ 317kW and 569Nm 6.1-litre block whose standard straight line speed is estimated at 5.3 seconds 0 - 100km/h. Those suspension tune-ups were made to improve the muscle car's handling so its straighline speed is matched by its cornering ability. Top velocity of 250km/h can be attained from this plant/ orange car combination.

Where ICE is concerned an Alpine multimedia system is found inside; two Moniceiver DVD monitors and a good number of speakers.

Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger by DUB

Chrysler has called in the help of tuning experts DUB Magazine to create two limited edition models, one for the Chrysler 300 Touring and one for the Dodge Charger SXT. Both cars will go on sale later this spring with an MSRP of USD 33,140 for the 300 Touring and USD 30,235 for the Charger.

Both DUB Editions receive more than their fair share of chrome exterior details like mirror caps, MOPAR honeycomb grille and door handles. Under the hood both cars use a 250-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 engine hooked up to a five speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick feature. Chrysler has also fitted a performance tuned suspension. Of course DUB logos are found throughout the car, both inside and outside.

The limited edition models both feature leather-trimmed seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 13-speaker KICKER audio system and a MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System. The cars sit on 20-inch aluminum wheels with 245/45R20 all-season performance tires.

"The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are hot vehicles to begin with. Once people see the 20-inch wheels and listen to the 13-speaker KICKER surround-sound system, they'll feel like they're in a show car, but with a factory-backed warranty," said DUB's President and Co-Founder, Myles Kovacs.

Press release:

The 2008 “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT models have made their debut at the Atlanta Auto Show. These special “DUB Edition” vehicles may be ordered today at Chrysler and Dodge dealers and will arrive later this spring.

“We know our customers are passionate about their vehicles, so partnering with automotive industry lifestyle gurus at DUB Magazine enables us to offer special-edition vehicles like these through our dealerships,” said Deborah Meyer – Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler LLC. “Loaded with unique interior and exterior features or ‘bling,’ the ‘DUB Edition’ Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT models make a bold statement.”

Chrome accents complement the intrepid exterior styling of the 2008 “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT vehicles, including chrome mirror caps—a first on a Dodge vehicle—and a MOPAR® chrome honeycomb grille. The “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring models also feature chrome exterior door handles and side mirror caps. Special “DUB Edition” badges appear in three locations on the exterior of the vehicle: the deck lid and the passenger- and driver-side front doors. In addition, each 2008 “DUB Edition” Dodge Charger SXT also features a body-color spoiler and fog lamps.

Both models are powered by a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick. All 2008 “DUB Edition” models feature a performance-tuned suspension as well as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Brake Assist. Both models are equipped with 20-inch aluminum wheels with 245/45R20 all-season performance tires.

“DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT models are available in Inferno Red, Brilliant Black, Bright Silver and Cool Vanilla. The “DUB Edition” Dodge Charger SXT is also available in Dark Titanium.

"Working on a special edition production vehicle with Chrysler and Dodge is a great opportunity for the DUB brand,” said DUB's President and Co-Founder, Myles Kovacs. "The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are hot vehicles to begin with. Once people see the 20-inch wheels and listen to the 13-speaker KICKER surround-sound system, they'll feel like they're in a show car, but with a factory-backed warranty."

Inside, the Dark Slate Gray interior of the 2008 “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT models features leather-trimmed seats, embossed with the notable DUB logo. Premium-weight floor mats are also embossed with the DUB logo. The “DUB Edition” Dodge Charger SXT also features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob.

A MyGIG™ Multimedia Infotainment System with AM/FM/CD/DVD/HDD/MP3 radio in both models provides cutting-edge entertainment technology. In addition, the 13-speaker KICKER surround-sound system with a 322-watt KICKER amplifier provides excellent sound quality. The “DUB Edition” Dodge Charger SXT also features a 200-watt KICKER subwoofer and the “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring features a 100-watt KICKER subwoofer.
The limited production run of the 2008 “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring and Dodge Charger SXT includes 1,385 Chrysler models and 2,180 Dodge models for the U.S. Both models will be built at Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario. Production begins next month and Chrysler and Dodge dealers are now taking orders. MSRP for the 2008 “DUB Edition” Chrysler 300 Touring is $33,140, which includes destination. MSRP for the 2008 “DUB Edition” Dodge Charger SXT is $30,235, which includes destination.

Dodge Challenger 725 hp by Hennessey

Hennessey is apparently not happy with what Dodge has provided for its new millennium Challenger, among other cars, and has set out to rectify things the Hennessey way. Therefore what you are about to read is a true account of how things stand as far as a vehicle called the SRT700 Turbo is concerned.

Starting off with a 426 ci motor that strokes forged aluminum pistons, forged steel connecting rods, a 426 stroker crankshaft, polished intake manifold and a balanced rotating assembly, Hennessey then built upon this mighty house that’s clearly not founded on sandy land.

Added is a single 67mm turbo that works alongside a stainless steel turbo Y pipe, a single 44mm wastegate and a front-mounted intercooler. You know at some point, probably soon after turning the ignition, things are getting’ hot up in here!

How hot exactly? Try 725 bhp hot. Or 750 lb-ft of torque hot. It’s all downhill from there as the Challenger SRT700 literally charges down the road from naught in a matter of 3.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The old school performance measurement of quarter mile is covered in 11.3 seconds at a speed of 126 mph, with the SRT700 stopping clock at 190 mph.

At these levels of showmanship a car can begin to shed a few screws here and there, let loose one or five bolts in all the wrong places. So Hennessey is providing an upgraded engine management system, pro installation as well as a one year limited warranty. If you should happen upon one of these on the road know that it’s one of only 25 to be made. Other challengers are welcome.

Dodge Challenger SRT8 coming soon

The embargo dam has broken on the hugely anticipated Dodge Challenger SRT8 production version, scheduled for its official unveiling at the Chicago auto show next month.

Hitting the streets nearly 40 years after the original was first produced, the Challenger will be built atop the LX platform, which also underpins the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger.

So does it have a Hemi? Yes, Mopar fans, it certainly does: a 6.1-liter V8 to be exact, the same motor found in other SRT models. Producing 425hp and 420lb-ft of torque, this modern interpretation of the iconic muscle car will blast to 60mph in the low five-second range, transmitting power to squealing rubber via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Challenger’s 116-inch wheelbase and four-piston Brembo brakes will surely add to the dynamic driving appeal.

Dodge Ram BFT at SEMA

The Dodge Ram is a workhorse, and when it comes to those driving and purposefully using the heavy-duty truck there is only one thing that can never get big enough: the box. The Dodge Ram BFT, whether you want to call it Built For Towing or Big Fine Truck, is based on the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty with 160-inch wheelbase combined with a standard cab leaving a 10 foot box on the back.

But not all is just for purpose, the BFT has full length polished bed and side steps, a 6.inch suspension lift and 22.5 inch wheels from Alcoa. The BFT is powered by a 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine which provides plenty of hauling and towing power.

“Built for towing,” the Dodge Ram BFT is also one “big fine truck.” Designed to be the “ultimate” workhorse, the vehicle will appeal to the hardcore truck buyer. And there’s one thing the heavy-duty trucker can never get enough of: a bigger box.

The design team placed a standard cab on a 160-in. Dodge Ram Heavy Duty wheelbase frame so the 9.4-ft chopper fits snuggly in the 10-ft. box. The team also accommodated the dually setup with a 6-in. suspension lift kit from Superlift and Alcoa’s 22.5-in. 10-lug semi wheels. The BFT also features full-length polished bed and step rails.

The Ram BFT has a Banks-enhanced 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine that is mated to an automatic transmission.

In the end, the Ram BFT provides “maximum” hauling and towing power. And isn’t dependability, durability and capability what Ram life is all about?

Dodge Dakota MX Warrior At SEMA 2007

Designed from the outset to appeal to younger buyers who choose to pursue an active lifestyle, the Dodge Dakota MX Warrior is a design exercise suitably based around the theme of motocross racing. The MX Warrior's graphics were designed in conjunction with motocross rider and student in Creative Studies at Detroit, Scott Waraniak, and will be presented at next week's SEMA show.

Motocross is a sport in the extreme sense of the word, run on closed-course dirt tracks and demanding incredibly quick reflexes as well as great degrees of physical conditioning, concentration and practice to manouvere around the various course requirements from ruts and berms to 90-foot jumps and 180-degree tight turns.

The 'design splatter' embodies the sport and is styled by motocross racer #934 Waraniak, who races for KTM North America and Seattle's Jones Soda. The vinyl wrap encompasses a splash of Dodge's own identity, the choice of colours reflecting a youthful attitude: the splatter uses a bold 'O21orange' and 'battleship grey' to complement the MX Warrior's custom 'Surf Blue' paint job.

Enhancements to the car, bar its splash of colour, include the raising of the car's ride height by four inches and the fitting of 20-inch chrome alloys. Fender flares match the car's new vinyl wrap graphics while also serving as its protection. Chrysler's in-house metal shop customised the production of new steel front and rear bumpers to greater protect the car, with an extension to the truck bed and new taillamps also being new additions. A new one-off hood air intake allows greater air flow to the 4.7-litre Magnum V8 engine.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show runs at the Las Vegas Convention Centre from October 30th to November 2nd 2007.

The Dodge Dakota MX Warrior is a design exercise intended for the younger action-sports crowd. This authentic motocross-themed concept is a cooperative effort with Scott Waraniak. Waraniak is a design student at College for Creative Studies in Detroit and AMA District 14 motocross racer #936 who races for KTM North America and Seattle-based Jones Soda.

Motocross is an extreme sport run on closed-course, natural-terrain dirt tracks. Grabbing the holeshot and maneuvering through the ruts, berms, whoops, doubles, 90-foot jumps and 180-degree tight turns demands lightning-fast reflexes, physical conditioning, practice, concentration and speed. Forty racers compete in two 20-minute motos – mixing flying dirt and rocks with intimidation, adrenaline and horsepower. The outdoor motocross season runs from April to September, while the indoor supercross season runs from January through April. The sport continues to grow in popularity particularly with Gen X and Gen Y action-sport athletes in the United States, Europe and Japan.

With his likeness and signature on limited-edition bottles of Jones Soda, Waraniak [a West Bloomfield, Mich.-resident] provided his race-prepped bike for the project. He’ll use the 2008 KTM 450 SX-F in 2008 motocross season competition. He designed the graphics for both the bike and the Dodge Dakota MX Warrior.

The design team let Waraniak loose to design his “splatter” theme. The bold O21orange and battleship gray vinyl wrap is provided by Image Quest Graphics of Wixom, Mich. The Dakota/KTM 450 SX-F graphics integrate the podium performance of Dodge, Mopar and KTM Motorsports with Waraniak’s sponsors and the motocross industry’s leading icons and lifestyle companies:

• KTM North America of Amherst, Ohio
• Troy Lee Designs of Corona, Calif.
• FMF Racing of Rancho Dominguez, Calif.
• Alpinestars of Torrance, Calif.
• Spy Optics of Carlsbad, Calif.
• EVS Sports of Janesville, Wis.
• Cycra of Hebron, Ohio
• VP Racing Fuels of Wildomar, Calif.
• Maxima Racing Oils of Santee, Calif.
• Lake Cycle of Grand Haven, Mich.
• JP Speed of Holly, Mich.
• KTM Hard Equipment of Amherst, Ohio
• Michelin of Greenville, S.C.
• Powersport Grafx of North Wilkesboro, N.C.
• Xlox Systems of Calgary, Alberta
• SuperSports of Waterford, Mich.
• Skyjacker of Suspensions, West Monroe, La.
• Iniziale Designs of Roseville, Mich.
• KICKER® Audio of Stillwater, Okla.
• Jones Soda of Seattle, Wash.

To give the Dodge Dakota MX Warrior a proper stance and prove it can venture off-road, the suspension is raised four inches. It’s fitted with 20-in. chrome wheels from Mopar wrapped in 31-in. tires. TRX-4 fender flares cover the meats to keep the “splash” graphics fairly clean. To protect the front and rear, the Chrysler metal shop fabricated custom steel bumpers and an integrated warn winch mounted on the front bumper. There are also custom steel rock rails. The taillamps and bed extender were provided by Mopar. The steering wheel was provided by Grant Products. The Surf Blue paint with dark neutral metallic accents is courtesy of the Chrysler paint shop.

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

The tenacious gents over at Autoblog.com have busted through with official info of the new Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) just ahead of its public debut in a few days at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Not since 1999 has the Viper been outfitted with a street-legal track car package. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2008 at a MSRP of less than $100,000. Complete pricing information will be released at a later date.

Like any track car, one of the the core objectives is to save weight. And Dodge have done so by concentrating on three areas. The first area focused on unsprung suspension components by using StopTech cross-drilled and slotted brake rotors combined with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires and Sidewinder lightweight forged aluminum wheels. The second area of weight savings was found in the use of carbon fiber aerodynamic components such as an adjustable front splitter and rear wing which was sculpted by using CFD (Computational Fluid dynamics). Both of these areas combined are good for a weight savings of 40 pounds. The third area of savings is found in the optional “Hard Core” package which trims an additional 40 pounds of fat by deleting the audio system, fog lamps, underhood insulator padding, trunk carpet, tire inflater as well as the door speakers replaced with carbon fiber panels. The total combined weight loss is a massive 80 pounds.

No changes are made to the already potent 600hp 8.4-liter aluminum V10, however, the suspension receives KW coilovers that are adjustable in ride height and dampening in addition to a new front stabilizer bar for increased front end stiffness and reduced body roll.

Dodge Challenger Concept, 2006

In creating the new Dodge Challenger concept car the designers at Chrysler Group’s West Coast Pacifica Studio knew they had a rich heritage to draw upon. They also knew they had an obligation to get it right.

Designing the New Dodge Challenger. Being key to the image, getting the right proportions was critical. The Challenger concept sits on a 116-inch wheelbase, six inches longer than the original. But its width is two inches greater, giving the concept car a squat, tougher, more purposeful persona.

The signature side view accent line is higher up on the body, running horizontal through the fender and door and kicking up just forward of the rear wheel.

In section the upper and lower body surfaces intersect and fall away along this line, which has just a whisper of the original car’s coved surfacing.

The five-spoke chrome wheels, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear, are set flush with the bodyside, giving the car the powerful muscular stance of a prizefighter eager to challenge the world. Wheel openings are drawn tightly against the tires, with the rearward edges trailing off. To emphasize the iconic muscularity, the designers added plan view “hip” to the rear quarters.

One of the key characteristics of the original car the designers wanted to retain was the exceptionally wide look of both the front and back ends. To achieve this the designers increased both the front and rear tracks to 64 and 65 inches respectively, wider than the LX, wider even than the 1970 model. To realize the long horizontal hood the designers deemed essential, the front overhang was also increased.

Bumpers are clean (no guards), body-color and flush with the body. “This is something we would have loved to do on the original Challenger,” said Jeff Godshall, who was a young designer in the Dodge Exterior studio when the first Challenger was created, “but the technology just wasn’t there. With the Challenger concept, however, the Pacifica Studio designers are able to realize what we wanted in our perfect world.”

The hood reprises the original Challenger “performance hood” and its twin diagonal scoops, now with functional butterfly-valve intakes. Designed to showcase the modern techniques used in fabricating the car, what look like painted racing stripes are actually the exposed carbon fiber of the hood material.

The Challenger concept is a genuine four-passenger car. Compared to the original, the greenhouse is longer, the windshield and backlite faster, and the side glass narrower. All glass is set flush with the body without moldings, another touch the original designers could only wish for. The car is a genuine two-door hardtop - no B-pillar - with the belt line ramping up assertively at the quarter window just forward of the wide C-pillar.

Exterior details one might expect, like a racing-type gas cap, hood tie-down pins, louvered backlite and bold bodyside striping, didn’t make the “cut,” the designers feeling such assorted bits would detract from the purity of the monochromatic body form. But tucked reassuringly under the rear bumper are the “gotta have” twin-rectangle pipes of the dual exhausts.

The Interior. In contrast to the bright Orange Pearl exterior, the interior is a no-nonsense, “let’s-get-in-and-go” black relieved by satin silver accents and narrow orange bands on the seat backs. “Though the 1970 model was looked to for inspiration, we wanted to capture the memory of that car, but expressed in more contemporary surfaces, materials and textures,” said Alan Barrington, principal interior designer. As with the original car, the instrumental panel pad sits high, intersected on the driver’s side by a sculpted trapezoidal cluster containing three circular in-line analog gauge openings.

“We designed the in-your-face gauge holes to appear as if you are looking down into the engine cylinders with the head off,” relates Barrington. These are flanked outboard by a larger circular “gauge” that is actually a computer, allowing the driver to determine top overall speed, quarter-mile time and speed, and top speed for each of the gears.

With its thick, easy-grip rim, circular hub and pierced silver spokes, the leather-wrapped steering wheel evokes the original car’s “Tuff” wheel, as does the steering column “ribbing.” The floor console, its center surface tipped toward the driver, is fitted with a proper “pistol grip” shifter shaped just right to master the quick, crisp shifts possible with the six-speed manual “tranny.”

Inasmuch as the original Challenger was the first car to have injection-molded door trim panels (now common practice), the doors received special attention.

“We imagined that the door panel was a billet of aluminum covered with a dark rubberized material,” Barrington relates. “Then we cut into it to create a silver trapezoidal cove for the armrest.”

Although the flat-section bucket seats of the original Challenger didn’t offer much support for aggressive driving, the front seats in the Challenger concept car boast hefty bolsters much like those found on Dodge’s famed SRT series cars. The trim covers’ horizontal pleats or “fales” provide just a hint of that “70’s” look.

Rethought, reworked and redesigned, the Challenger concept car offers iconic a HEMI-powered performance coupe derived from a classic American muscle car.

Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, 2003

Dodge has delivered the next chapter in the Dodge Viper racing legacy: the new Viper Competition Coupe. "We knew when we introduced the Dodge Viper GTS-R race car that it was ambitious, yet extremely logical," said John Fernandez, Director, Dodge Motorsports Operations. "We set out to develop a history and tradition for the ultimate American sports car - and the Dodge performance icon - that would cast a halo over every racing endeavor, and every car and truck we built.

"The Dodge Viper has exceeded our highest goals for what an American sports car should be. And now, as loyal Dodge owners receive their versions of the third chapter in the car's history - the 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 - we can't lose sight of the heritage that Viper has built. And with that, we've developed a new generation of the Dodge Viper racing car - the Viper Competition Coupe."

With a coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body based largely on the Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, and a track-ready chassis based on the new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible, the Viper Competition Coupe should emerge as a serious competitor from the first lap.

Dodge expects to build about 60 cars in the first year, but have the ability to expand production as demand grows. Plans include technical support for competitors at all major events.

The Viper Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces to keep the estimated retail price slightly more than $100,000. With 520 horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the Viper Competition Coupe will deliver racers an extremely high level of performance for the price.

A full complement of racing enhancements, including cage, window net, fire-suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks, differential cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is track-ready as delivered. The Viper Competition Coupe cannot be titled for highway use.

The Viper Competition Coupe's sleek concept car shape retains the 2003 Viper SRT-10 convertible's windshield, and as a result, affords the driver two inches of additional headroom as compared to the GTS/R concept car.

Among those events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to compete are:

• Skip Thomas Viper Racing League - The Viper Competition Coupe will have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the Viper Days weekends
• Grand American Cup - The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to compete (when homologated) in the Grand Sports Class with the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911
• Speedvision World Challenge - The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to compete (when homologated) in these American Le Mans Series support races

The Competition Coupe's predecessor - called the Dodge Viper GTS-R and based on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe - passes on one of the most distinguished pedigrees in the modern history of endurance racing. The Viper GTS-R earned five international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000 American Le Mans Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT Championships. The Viper finished 1-2 in the GTS class in three consecutive years -1998-2000 - and notched an amazing overall win at the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first for an American production-based car.

The Dodge Viper race car began life in the GT1 class in 1996. The escalating costs persuaded the manufacturer to switch to the GT2 class for the 1997 season. The Viper's production volumes (approximately 2,000 annually) qualified it for the category and it embarked on a racing program that was to earn it a reputation as the most successful American production-based racing car of all time.

As Dodge began to focus more of its engineering resources on development of the next Viper - the 2003 Viper SRT-10 - it was announced in December 2000 that Dodge would take a hiatus from its factory support for Viper endurance racing.

There are no plans at this time to homologate the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe for American Le Mans Series or 24 Hours of Le Mans racing.

Dodge Viper SRT10, 2008

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling. While every SRT vehicle offers balanced and overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 for sure is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque.

Standout Powertrain
Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer’s basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10’s deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. The two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers’ stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.

World-class Ride and Handling
The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers.

Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the tried-and-true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels now available in three styles: the five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. The wheels are clad in Michelin® Pilot® Sport PS2 tires. The four-groove tread-design tires provide maximum grip, reduced road noise and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.

Bold Exterior Styling
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe’s hard top with its “double bubble” styling makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

Race-inspired Interior Design
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 cockpit retains its characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph speedometer. The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer with a new level of customization options, including five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new wheel design.

Dodge ASC Viper Diamondback Concept

The American company ASC (American Specialty Cars) showed its creative expertise by unveiling a supercar made even more super by the addition of a mostly carbon-fiber body.

A "snake" with an all-new skin, the ASC Viper Diamondback is super-light and super-fast. It’s fitting that ASC, which helped the Chrysler Group bring the new Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe to life, would, with the aid of McLaren Performance Technologies, show how the Viper coupe might be taken to an all-new level of “extreme.” The 615 bhp Viper Diamondback features a carbon fiber roof, deck lid, rockers, fascia inserts, body trim and a massive OmniCarbon hood that shows off ten unique trumpeted air intakes, with individual port throttles, peeking through - a McLaren Performance Technologies feature reminiscent of McLaren Can-Am engines of the past.

The hood also shows off compression-molded carbon fiber. It’s displayed beautifully, with a broad, clearcoated racing stripe down the Artic White-painted expanse, subtly outlined by “Viper Blue” and “McLaren Red” pinstripes. In all, ASC removed about 85 lbs. of weight from the vehicle - including cutting the weight of the hood by nearly half versus the production model. Taken together with the powertrain modifications by McLaren Performance Technologies, the power-to-weight ratio was increased, resulting in an estimated increase in 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.