The Dodge Challenger is the name that is given to the three different automobile models tgat are manufactured and marketed by Dodge division of Chrysler Motor Company since the 1970s.


First Generation From 1970 To 1974

The first Dodge Challenger was a very late entrant in the compact cars market in the United States. It was based on the Plymouth Baracuda’s new body and the wheelbase was about 110’. The exterior design of the vehicle was done by Carl Cameron. He had also done the exterior design of the earlier 1966 Dodge Charger. The Dodge Challenger was very well recived by the public. Sales in 1970 were a staggering 80,000. However the vehicle was criticized by the press. The production of the vehicle ceased after 1974, having lasted only five years.

There were three modlsl that were offered by Dodge Challenger, viz the Challenger Six, the Challenger V-8 and the Challenger R/T. The standard engine was 230 hp 318ci. The other engines offered were 340ci, 383ci, 2v and 4v, all with a 3 speed manual transmission except for the 290hp 383ci 2v, which was available only in the torqueflight automatic transmission.

The best model was definitely the R/T with a 335 hp 383 ci Magnum. The R/T engine options were 375 hp 440ci Magnum, the 390hp 440ci Six-pack (3x2v) and the 425 hp 426 Hemi. The more luxurious R/T models included leather seats as well as a vinyl roof and warning lights when any of the doors were left open. The R/T challenger had an instrument cluster that had a 150 mph speedometer, an oil pressure guage and an 8000 rpm tachometer. In th year 1972, the company dropped the name R/T and called it Rallye.

There was also a very populsr model by the name of Dodge Challnger T/A which had a specially tuned 290 hp Six-Pack version of the 340 in³ (5.6 L) engine. Then there was the Western Speical version whuch was available in the western countries. It had a rear exit exhaust system and Western Special identification on the rear side. Production of the vehicle however ceased in 1974. The body size remained more or less the same during those five years. There were notable changes in the front grille. The 1971 models had a more stylish split grille but the 1972 had a grille with a sad mouth design. Between the successive models, there was just a slight difference that the front and the rear bumperrettes got bigger with newer models. In 1970, the taillights ran across the car, while in 1971 the taillights were situated at the left and the right sides. From the year 1972 ther were four individual lamps as tail lights.

The Dodge Challenger was mainly produced for the US and the Canadian Market. Interestingly, Chrysler officially sold Challengers to Switzerland through AMAG AG in Schinznach, near Zuerich, Switzerland. Chysler also marketed the Dodge Challenger to France as well.

Second Generation From 1978 To 1983
There were now sportier versions of the Dodge Challenger. The models now had brighter colors and tape stripes running acroos the body. Th engine fitted now was of 2.6L.
Third Generation - 2008 Onwards
The new Dodge Challenger concept car was shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. This concept uses the LX platform and a 6.1L V8 engine. On July 1, 2006 Dodge announced that this concept will be used in all models built after 2008. The model will be built on the Chrysler LC platform which is a shortened version of the Chrysler LX platform. The car will be a dorect competitor to the Ford Mustang. The car will be made in limited numbers like other concept cars as the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered on all models. There will not be any model in 2008. Newer models may ne introduced in 2009.