Big Power at Big Smoke Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Another year, another Big Smoke in the books. And this
year’s attendees got a chance to get up close and personal with some
serious Dodge muscle, including the Challenger concept.

Big Smoke is a gathering of cigar fans hosted by Cigar Aficionado
magazine, with booths from major cigar makers, luxury brands and a whole
lot of car manufacturers. (Turns out cigar fans are car fans in large
part.)

The Challenger concept had some stiff competition up and down the
ballroom from an impressive roster of performance marques. But attendees
tended to linger around the Dodge display a bit longer…perhaps for the
cool Challenger cigars, but more likely because they could get up close
and personal with an actual concept car. (Unlike most events, the
Challenger was not roped off. We even took advantage and grabbed a bunch
of detail shots which we’ve posted after the jump.)

AUDIO: F-15 pilots Greg “Stymie” Franklin and Rob “Moose” Smith do a fly by on the Challenger concept

We chatted up the folks as they made the rounds, answering their
questions as delicately as we answer yours.

“When’s it coming out?” Spring, we’d say.
“How much will it cost” Uh, you see we haven’t released that.
“What engine will be in it?” Again, we haven’t…
“What colors can I get?” That remains to be…
“Transmission?” The Chicago auto show is where the production version
will…
“Why aren’t you answering any of my questions?” Sigh.

Fortunately, they were pretty understanding. And while taking snaps of
themselves by the Challenger and Viper, slapping others on the back
while reminiscing about the original Challengers and generally enjoying
the event, the Big Smoke goers were a great bunch to hang out with for a
weekend. Especially the jet pilots we met. (See audio clip above…and remember, that’s what they said after just seeing it.)