[Allpar News System]

Word from Canada is that Chrysler will be staggering its large-car refreshes next year, when the 2015s make their debut (around a year past their original schedule, possibly to accommodate slower than expected ramp-up at the Indiana transmission plants, coupled with higher-than-expected sales). The first car will be the 2015 Dodge Challenger, on the new LA platform; originally this was to be a shortened version to cut weight, but it’s quite possible that Challenger will end up at around its current size, perhaps two or three inches shorter. The main benefit to buyers will be the eight-speed automatic, expected to be standard on all Challengers, as it is on Grand Cherokees and Durangos. The current Challenger cannot use that transmission, resulting in a muscle car which is oddly much slower (with V6) than the larger, lower-horsepower 300C V6. A comprehensive interior upgrade is also expected, since Challenger’s trim currently..

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[guyverfanboy]

I was wondering about the 3.2 replacing the 3.6. Would the 3.2 be rated around 288HP or so?

 

[Dave Z]

3.2 is already out and in the KL -- it’s 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft and I suspect that it would be about the same in the L cars.

With the eight speed, that would provide, from my armchair with no real data and no attempt at serious simulation, better acceleration than any past L-car with a V6 and five-speed automatic. (You'll notice 300M/Intrepid R/T are excluded by the five speed reference).

 

[Mopar392]

I don't think they will replace a 300hp 3.6L with a 3.2L that is making 271hp..

Mustang & Camaro V6 are making at least 300hp. Taking into considering Challenger's weight, 8HP will help enhancing the acceleration.. And lowering the HP rating will piss off a lot of people..

 

[jerseyjoe]

Any talk about making the Challenger lighter? Mustang has 305 HP manual and Camaro 323 HP, not sure about the trans.

 

[guyverfanboy]

Any talk about making the Challenger lighter? Mustang has 305 HP manual and Camaro 323 HP, not sure about the trans.

I think it is supposed to be 300-350 lbs lighter on the LA platform...

 

[Mopar392]

y]

I think it is supposed to be 300-350 lbs lighter on the LA platform...

By the time Challenger comes out, it will be still heavy compared to the current Mustang and Camaro:

Current Mustang Curb Weight:
V6 coupe MT/AT:
3,401 lb (1,543 kg)/3,454 lb (1,567 kg)
V8 GT coupe MT/AT:
3,533 lb (1,603 kg)/3,575 lb (1,622 kg)
V8 GT500 coupe MT:
3,940 lb (1,787 kg

Current Camaro Curb Weight:
LS auto: 3,769 lb (1,710 kg)
LS man: 3,780 lb (1,710 kg)
LT auto: 3,750 lb (1,700 kg)
LT man: 3,741 lb (1,697 kg)
SS auto: 3,913 lb (1,775 kg)
SS man: 3,860 lb (1,750 kg)
ZL1: 4120-pound

Current Challenger Curb Weight:
SXT: 3,834 lb
R/T: 4,082 lb
SRT: 4,160 lb


Mustang is due with a brand new car in MY2015, a new Camaro in MY2016, while the next Challenger won't be till MY2017..


Don't get me wrong, I like Challenger for what it is. But, Lower the horsepower when the competitors are getting lighter and powerful isn't going to help us Moparians..

 

[dakrt99]

Can't wait for the new Challengers.

Wait, what . . . they are ditching the 3.6 for the lame 3.2? How does anyone "KNOW" this. I guess Chrysler will once again, come in last place in every single comparison, like always.

 

[scott cornett]

I don't like what they said about the head lights :thumbsdown:

 

[oh2o]

Wait, what . . . they are ditching the 3.6 for the lame 3.2? How does anyone "KNOW" this.

I would expect that the 3.6L will continue...

 

[KCP Worker]

Can't wait for the new Challengers.

Wait, what . . . they are ditching the 3.6 for the lame 3.2? How does anyone "KNOW" this. I guess Chrysler will once again, come in last place in every single comparison, like always.

Lame 3.2?

 

[guyverfanboy]

I don't like what they said about the head lights :thumbsdown:

I agree! I really like the 24 head light design!

3.2 wouldn't be so lame if it was a turbo 3.2 for the Challenger. Not that we can say it is lame because no one here has driven a vehicle with the 3.2!

 

[Mr.Source]

By the time Challenger comes out, it will be still heavy compared to the current Mustang and Camaro:

Current Mustang Curb Weight:
V6 coupe MT/AT:
3,401 lb (1,543 kg)/3,454 lb (1,567 kg)
V8 GT coupe MT/AT:
3,533 lb (1,603 kg)/3,575 lb (1,622 kg)
V8 GT500 coupe MT:
3,940 lb (1,787 kg

Current Camaro Curb Weight:
LS auto: 3,769 lb (1,710 kg)
LS man: 3,780 lb (1,710 kg)
LT auto: 3,750 lb (1,700 kg)

LT man: 3,741 lb (1,697 kg)
SS auto: 3,913 lb (1,775 kg)
SS man: 3,860 lb (1,750 kg)
ZL1: 4120-pound

Current Challenger Curb Weight:
SXT: 3,834 lb
R/T: 4,082 lb
SRT: 4,160 lb


Mustang is due with a brand new car in MY2015, a new Camaro in MY2016, while the next Challenger won't be till MY2017..


Don't get me wrong, I like Challenger for what it is. But, Lower the horsepower when the competitors are getting lighter and powerful isn't going to help us Moparians..

Cmon the Challenger is a different car, its wider,larger,heavier and of course, its nicer.
So dont expect to compete with them, Dodge is a different beast.

 

[MoparNorm]

Cmon the Challenger is a different car, its wider,larger,heavier and of course, its nicer.
So dont expect to compete with them, Dodge is a different beast.

The new Challenger will be lighter, not as wide, not as large and still nicer...

 

[66coronet]

Is that a duck in the windshield?
Is that a cross bar behind the drivers seat = roll cage?

 

[MoparJoe]

we have been through this 100 times people. Take a breath.....breathe ....breathe....ok, now bitch again

 

[Moparian]

Can't wait for the new Challengers.

Wait, what . . . they are ditching the 3.6 for the lame 3.2? How does anyone "KNOW" this. I guess Chrysler will once again, come in last place in every single comparison, like always.

Who said they are ditching the 3.6? Also just because it makes 271 HP in the Cherokee doesnt mean there arent various power levels, you know kinda like my 200 only has 286 HP and a Challenger has 305. If the car is lighter, the engine is lighter and its paired with the superior 8 speed transmission it will probably be faster, have better acceleration and fuel economy than the outgoing model and make it more competitive with the Mustang and Camaro.

 

[bumonbox]

I don't envision them trading in the 3.2 for one simple reason - that's a lot of money for something that is not needed. The 3.6 is designed, tested, certified to work in the LX cars, the 3.2 would equal a (likely) minor gain in MPG, it's money that doesn't need to be spent.
So pretty sure the 3.6 will continue on, although possibly with minor tweaks? I could better imagine DI or something else arriving in the 3.6. Ford is expecting to get 32 MPG in the base Taurus I believe. So perhaps they'll work to match it.

 

[Dave Z]

The 3.2 is a fine engine for the base LX cars. It will be faster than the current Challenger V6, by a good margin, and still get far better mileage. You're probably not looking at a huge drop in real-world performance.

The 3.6 may stay on as an option, but I think they want the 3.2 to be a mainstay. There's no point in putting in more engine than the average customer wants. Performance buyers tend to opt for the Hemi anyway.

 

[JRS200x]

They will not move to the 3.2L for the Challenger. You cannot in this market take your muscle car and drop its horsepower down, not with the competition increasing theirs. I could see them using it in the 300 or Charger, but not the Challenger.