Poll Time: What’s Your Favorite Concept?
Nov 20, 2007 at 11:47PMNearly 2/3rds of our 2,600 voters opted for the biggest engine they could get in the upcoming Challenger…so here’s another question.
With our on-going coverage of the Challenger concept, we wondered “Is the Challenger the most successful concept ever?” We’re several decades into the history of the auto show, so that’s probably a tall order to say it’s the best of all time (We’re not just bragging when we say Chrysler has had a pretty good run in the concept world.) So let’s say “most successful in modern times.” Take everything into consideration…your personal excitement, the buzz from the show and the influence on car design.
You let us know which is your favorite from this short list of thought starters. And if you have a personal favorite, put it in the comments. It’s a free blog, so if you want to bring up some of our competitors’ offerings in the discussion…well, we’ll enjoy your thoughts.
“What is the most successful concept car in modern times?”
–Dodge Challenger (Detroit 2006)
–Dodge Viper (1989)
–Chrysler 300C (New York 2003)
–Dodge Neon (1990)
–Jeep Z5 Concept 1 (Grand Cherokee predecessor, 1989)
–Dodge Durango hybrid (Two-mode hybrid drivetrain, LA Auto Show 2007)
–Other
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43 Comments
I can’t wait to own a “new”/retro challenger convertible. Coupes just don’t do it for me. It’s not possible to vote for a car that I have not sat in,and driven.I own a Viper, but still LOVE my “under-powered” V6 Prowler too. Most folks that down talk the Prowler,have never driven one. I also keep an ‘03 SSR,and had a 1st year issue T-bird,which I traded-in some years back. I don’t care for what I’ve seen of the new Camaro,but again,the real car is the proof.
No Question DODGE CHALLENGER !!!
Ive Owned, Built, Raced, Ran from the Law ( When I was very young lol ) many mopars, but my favorite car of all was my 1970 R/T Challenger. I can remember flying out to remote juckyards up here in the U.P. of Michigan whenever some myth of a Hemi laying in a guys field only to find out it was a blown up 440 or 383.
Now if only we can get the convertible built ( This is what we call in the business a HINT ! ) …
I learned how to drive a standard shift in my uncle’s 1970 Challenger R/T and have loved that car ever since. Unfortunately at the time I was only 14 years old and could just dream about owning one.Now at 51 years old I can still only dream because of the $38,000.00 price tag. But by far it is soon to be the sharpest car on the market.
What ever happened to the Howler? The rumored pumped up version of the Prowler. Loved the concept of the Prowler, but a V6? That was almost as bad as making a 4-door Corvette (1963 concept) and the upcoming Porsche Sports Sedan. 4-Door Ferrari anyone? LOL
…oh yeah,
And you can slide the Ford GT (remake of GT40) in there on my list right under the Challenger.
–Dodge Challenger (Detroit 2006)… SWEEEEET!
–Dodge Viper (1989)… Like trying to date Jessica Biel, out of my league, but I can dream!
–Chrysler 300C (New York 2003)… ugh.
–Dodge Neon (1990)… eh.
–Jeep Z5 Concept 1 (Grand Cherokee predecessor, 1989)… ?
–Dodge Durango hybrid (Two-mode hybrid drivetrain, LA Auto Show 2007)… waste of money.
–Other:
-Mustang GT… Wow. But not more wow than Challenger.
-Camaro… hmmm. Nah. Too weird.
-Dodge Razor… Cool.
-Dodge M80… SWEEEET! This would have been great. There is a hole in the market for truck/Jeep things like this.
-Dodge Super 8 Hemi… Wow. I would have loved this car. The Charger concept merged with this to make the thing selling as a Charger now. It should have been a new name.
So, my favorites?
1. Challenger (with big V8).
2. Mustang 500
3. Viper
4. M80
Of course, they have a chance to fix that and offer a 2dr version of the charger now too (w/o out too much additional investment in tooling up).
The most anticipated vehicles have been the new ‘09 Camaro, ‘08 Challenger, and the ‘06 Shelby GT500. Prior to that was the ‘05 Mustang and the utterly disappointing Dodge Charger…4 doors? Uh, yeah…the Duke boys hold their heads in shame on that one.
I gotta say Challenger is the most exciting in my book. When it came to Phoenix my little boy (5 years old) came rushing in jumping & screaming CHALLENGER, CHALLENGER!! I called the organizers in advance to make sure it would be in Phoenix & the guy kind of chuckled…he had gotten more calls about about it than any other car. He would not commit to me because he said last minute changes could happen but thankfully it showed up. The local news stations all acknowledged the buzz was on Challenger.
I’ve always scratched my head at concept that were so off the wall strange or “futuristic” that you know they never will see light of day. One look at Challenger at you can see a marriage of true perfection between engineering and style. This concept was crafted to be built…a huge thank you for picking Mike’s design. It could be no other.
Small side note on the competition…I’ve always thought the Ford GT40 was really cool looking but more of a boutique car…I never have actually seen one unless I Google it.
PROWLER, Still one of the hottest cars on the road.
And seriously Bigimp, even if it were truly a retro Impala…compare that to a radical concept like the Viper, I’d say it pales in comparison, but I don’t think it even does that. I mean the Viper ended up being an icon like the Cobra. That’s analogous to reintroducing the Reliant K as a concept and having it done in two years. OK, nice.
Not to knock on the K-Cars…big daddy Lee used them to turn the company around (that and taxpayer lent money only to make it profitable and sell out to a foreign company…still burns me up).
BIGPIMP. ACTUALLY IT WAS THE MIATA. ALTHOUGH, THEY WERE COPYING A LOTUS. I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU GET THE IDEA THAT THE 94 IMPALA WAS SOMEHOW A RETRO CAR. OTHER THAN REVIVING THE NAME.LATE 60′S IMPALAS WERE SOME OF THE FASTEST CARS ON THE ROAD.MY FAVORITE WAS THE 396 /375 HP WHICH WAS SERIOUSLY UNDERRATED FOR THIS CAR. BUT TELL ME, WHICH YEAR DOES A 94 IMPALA RESEMBLE? AND UGLY ISN’T A YEAR.
FRONTYARDRESTOBOY,
the fact remains that the ‘92 concept imp ss was the first car in the modern era to go to production 2 yrs later and have the proformance and styling of it’s 60’s muscle cars name sake.
ps I checked the exaust, what a sweet rumble
FRONTYARDRESTOGUY, I agree w/ Jeremiah. Chrysler was good w/ their word on the Viper when it quickly went from Concept to Production (in under 3 years, which Chrysler was rightfully proud). They said what it would come out as, pricewise, and it did. I have faith in them, and I’m sure they won’t squander their established reputation for Value Performance.
Now, if they can make a minivan that’ll go 200K, they might win me away from Toyota for that too!
for me it is a toss up between the challenger, cuda, charger concept, and demon, but i guess the challenge, even though it is unproven.
by the way, that two door charger is awe inspiring, if only! thanks for posting that!
heck if they did the concealed suicide doors on that two door platform, like the concept, i would be happy
I am reading about bad vibes people are getting now because they think Dodge is stalling.
Since the Challengers introduction almost 2 years ago Dodge has always held it’s cards close and probably will until introduction. There is absolutely nothing new here. They release very little but when they do it is been a little at a time and it has always been good.
My suggestion……hang in there and be patient.
No,I do not work for Dodge. Those have been my observations since January 2006, it’s introduction.
damnskippy, you could be right. But it seems to me as if dodge is stalling for time. maybe things are not going as planned and they are faced with potential price increases. maybe they are afraid when the news is released on how few cars will be available, people will walk. how far can you drag something out? until you start losing potential customers because of it. Or if there is something wrong going on behind the scenes, and they need to keep up the illusion. either way, i cancelled delivery on my srt8 charger on the news that this car was being produced. i have waited a long time, but yet yesterday i am negotiating with the local ford dealer on the shelby convertible in their showroom. (you only need pay $5000 over sticker now and the 07 gt is $3000 cash back)the funny thing is i probably wouldn’t drive until spring anyways but i don’t like the dodge vibe i’m getting right now.
Moparman, sorry. I totally missed the url before. Looks good, just a little droopy nosed.
Moparman, thanks for the heads up.
Rickster, I think that’s the game they have to play. Kind of like one wouldn’t say to a magician “Hey, we know it’s not magic, now stop messing around and tell us how the trick works”.
Manage, maintain and enhance buzz. It sucks to be us just getting bits and pieces, but their marketing department is surely filled with years of experience who know how to do product launches. Undoubtedly there are probably some past mistakes learned from, and I’m sure they are managing this in a fashion that will ensure the chances of making the Challenger the success it should be.
Stop wasting our time with thses silly questions about our favorite concept.Who cares!! Stop with the distractions, and start releasing meaningful info about the Challenger. I would like to be able to make an informed dicission soon wheather to buy one or not based on price/affordabillty, eng/trans.specs,and convertibles to be, or not to be built.Get with it, Dodge, you are not doing too good financially to be playing games.
The link is in my post below. It’s not dodge, but a private comany builing one for the SEMA show. Pretty hot though, more like what a lot of fans wanted it to be.
Amen, Sarge! We’ve been yapping about that idea over at the dodgechallenger.com forum. I was unaware there was a concept anywhere to be found, can you post a link please!
92 impala concept?? started the retro movement??? check the exhaust on that thing, i think it’s backing up into the car.
OMG!!! Just saw the concept for the 2 door Charger!!! It’s Awesome!!! The wife saw that and wanted to know when she could get one…and she don’t like cars!!!
I think you should build it!!! Can I get a AMEN???
Based on its success, the 1989 Dodge Viper would top my list. However, it may be replaced by the Challenger based on expected high sales.
Yeah, I almost forgot about that, the 1999 charger concept was pretty cool, even thought it was also a 4-door, it at least looked quite a bit like the 68 to 70 chargers only more modern/streamlined. It was very hot looking. I would have bought one. Too bad you dodge guys decided to let a magnum mount a 300 and when the kid was born give it a tatoo of hemi on one arm and charger on the other. Oh well. I keep hoping you’ll fix that mistake.
Anyone itnerested, check this out, closest thing to a REAL modern dodge charger I’ve seen:
http://www.forceperformance.biz/
Writing/Speaking of Chrysler Motorcycles
There was rumor a few years before the pseudo motorcycle Tomahawk, that Chrysler was entertaining the idea of producing them.
Always wished they would, BMW, Honda, Suzuki..No Chrysler Bike? I would buy in a heart beat. Guess I\’m bleeding orange again.
Vehicles that would have been out of my range
ME412
Tomahawk
Vehicles I can own
Challenger
Copperhead
THE 2008 CONCEPT CUDA THAT CHRYSLER STUCK THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND ALL WEEK LONG. TRIED TO GET THE STORY OF THE CAR WHEN THEIR AND THEY ALL ACTED LIKE DEER WITH LIGHTS IN THEIR EYES.
THEY SHOULD BUILD IT AFTER CURT THE OWNER ESSENTIALLY DID ALL THE WORK FOR THEM AND TOLD THEM TO BUILD IT.
I think the challenger concept is best, but I am biased becasue I’m not interested/would not buy any of the other ones. I’m pretty old fashioned for a 37 year old. I like mid 70’s ford trucks, most muscle cars and dirtbikes.
I own a 2002 honda xr650l dual sport bike, a 77 ford f250, an 87 ford f150 4×4(runs like crap), a 91 crown vic(for sale) and a 2000 grand prix( wife’s car), and of course, a 69 dodge charger, my baby.
The Dodge Demon has a lot of potential and looks really great. You’d really have to change the name because there are religous people that would not purchase the car simply because it was called “Demon”, but otherwise I think it would be a success.
I understand that this is a dodge web site and am not trying to step on toes here but the most successful concept in modern times is the car that started the reto movement.
drum roll please.
‘92 Impala SS
I liked the concept charger that was never built. It was much sharper than the boat that is being made now. I could not wait to buy one until i seen was came out.
You said:
“Nearly 2/3rds of our 2,600 voters opted for the biggest engine they could get in the upcoming Challenger”
- - - - - - - -
Hopefully, Dodge will take note of this. More importantly to me is the availability of the 6.1 (or at least the 5.7) in the BASE car as an option.
Not everybody wants all the bells & whistles, leather, and nav. system just to get the V-8.
Challenger.
It should have been the Viper, but it is not a car I’ll likely be able to afford and I’m sure lots of people couldn’t either.
An every day car that everybody can buy, and one that is so well done like the Challenger tops my list.
Yes the Challenger is “Hands Down” the most intreging concept on the market.
My favorites not listed above are the Dodge Venom and LH platform Charger concepts. I like the Challenger and Viper concepts because the production versions very closely resemble the concept cars. The most successful has to be the Challenger, it’s a vehicle you want to own, not transportation that you settle for.
My favorites not listed are the Dodge Venom and LH platform Charger concepts. I like the Challenger and Viper concepts because the production versions very closely resemble the concept cars. The most successful has to be the Challenger, it’s a vehicle you want to own, not transportation that you settle for.
Dodge Challenger - no contest
The Dodge Challenger (Detroit 2006). Enough said!!
Dodge Challenger (Detroit 2006)
The question is: “What is the most successful concept car in modern times?”
I guess it depends on how you measure successful. Is it based on sales, units sold, how much it impacted the image of the manufacturer, etc. Sometimes it is quantifiable and but many times difficult to measure.
While I felt the Dodge Viper and the Ford GT (Was supposed to be the “Pace car of an entire company”….NOT) were awesome cars, I knew that these cars were not within my practical reach.
While the Concept Dodge Challenger has not produced any sales yet, I believe it has the most potential in my opinion of any latest concept car to date and the excite ment I have is because it is within my reach. At several of the auto shows, I see people drooling over the Challenger because it looks stunning and bad at the same time. When I see people look at the Camaro, they try to figure out what it is and say it kinda looks like a Camaro but it is too futuristic…..thats why it was in the movie Transformers.
There is no mistaking where the Challenger came from and only the public will decide her future. But while she roams the streets burning rubber and scaring all the other cars with her muscular haunches everybody will admit this is the meanest and most “Bad to the Bone” car out there.
1 - challenger
A close second would be the 1999 - 2001 concept Charger