As the light turns green, I gently let out the clutch and give the throttle a tap. What I'd really like to do is slam the pedal to the floor to see how long I could keep the tires spinning. But the cop parked up the block probably wouldn't like that idea - any more than my co-pilot, a Chrysler engineer assigned to make sure I don't trash this one-of-a-kind, hand-built prototype.
It'll be nearly two more years before anyone in the media get to push the limits of a production Dodge Challenger, but there's still something exciting about driving the concept car that first drew so much attention during its debut at the Detroit auto show last January.
The unabashedly retro prototype recently got the go-ahead for production, and will debut sometime during 2008. Precise details are being kept a closely guarded secret, though TheCarConnection.com has picked up a few intriguing tidbits.
After taking a lot of heat for converting the original Dodge Charger into a modern-day coupe, the automaker will keep things honest this time around, the Challenger coming out only in two-door form. Though you can see significant similarities between the original muscle car and the modern version, the new concept is a wee bit larger, points out Tom Tremont, Chrysler's chief of advanced design.
With subtle tweaks, look for the '08 production version to closely resemble the concept. It will share platforms with the Charger which, in turn, is based of the same "architecture" as the popular Chrysler 300C.
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