| Challenger Is NAIAS 2006 People’s Choice |
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It was a battle of the muscle cars as the Dodge Challenger beat out the Chevrolet Camaro to win the NAIAS 2006 People’s Choice award. A clear leader in the voting from the start, the retro-styled Dodge Challenger was the obvious favorite among MSN Autos visitors.Dodge Challenger ConceptThe Challenger concept features the characteristic wide-mouth grille, the rectangular tailpipes and pistol-grip shifter. Even the Challenger’s black racing stripes on the hood are on the new concept. But instead of being done with paint, the stripes on the concept car are exposed carbon fiber.Dodge Challenger Photo GalleryThe four-passenger Challenger concept also has six manual speeds, rather than the four speeds of the original car. The single, large rear taillight is illuminated by diffuse neon in the concept, and tires and wheels are 20-inchers. The Challenger concept is powered by Chrysler’s 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI V8, with deep tones that were heard loud and clear when it debuted at Chrysler’s press conference. Chrysler officials said the car should go from 0-to-60 miles an hour in 4.5 seconds, which is on par with many sports cars, and top speed is 174 mph.“This is the faithful reincarnation of a muscle car legend,” said Trevor Creed, senior vice president of design at DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group.If given a final OK for production, the Challenger could be in showrooms by the 2009 model year.Chevrolet Camaro ConceptChevrolet takes a different tack with the Camaro concept. Instead of retro styling, the Camaro is a modern version of the muscle car.According to Bob Lutz, vice chairman at Chevy’s parent company, General Motors Corp., the concept features a “dynamic design that captures the spirit of the original Camaro” from the 1960s. “But it goes a lot further.”Chevrolet Camaro Concept Photo GalleryFor example, while the concept retains the Camaro’s long hood with requisite bulge, a short rear deck and a narrow, snarling grille, the styling has a contemporary, chiseled look. Inside, the deeply recessed instrument gauges and three-spoke steering wheel invoke the styling of the original Camaro. So does the lengthy center console.Power comes from a 400-horsepower 6.0-liter LS2 small-block V8 borrowed from the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. It’s mated to a 6-speed manual transmission in the Camaro concept. Because the engine has a system that automatically disables half the cylinders when they’re not needed, the Camaro concept could get as much as 30 mpg on the highway.The new-age Camaro “will run with the best sports cars today,” Lutz said, very nearly slipping into verbiage suggesting the Camaro will go into production. “We want to deliver astonishing value.”The VoteThe Challenger and Camaro took 37 percent and 28 percent of the votes, respectively, considerably above the third-most-popular vehicle, the Mazda Kabura concept, which garnered 9 percent of the vote.Other vehicles receiving high numbers of votes included the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept, Lamborghini Miura Concept 2006 and the Audi Roadjet concept.Nine vehicles were nominated by the editors of MSN Autos as significant vehicles of the show, representing a cross section of manufacturer’s vehicles. Visitors to the MSN Autos NAIAS Web site then voted for their favorite show vehicle. Photos of each vehicle were displayed online and the photos were randomly served into a special grid to ensure fairness and to prevent any particular vehicle from consistently appearing in a favorable position. Blocking technology was used to ensure that no individual could vote more than once. |
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Of course it’s got a HEMI – the Challenger concept is powered by Chrysler’s 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI V8.
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The overall shape of the Challenger concept mirrors that of the original 1970 Challenger muscle car, down to the large, single taillight area in back.
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The Camaro concept retains the classic coupe profile with a long hood and short rear deck.
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The Camaro concept interior has the feel of a classic Camaro, right down to the three-spoke steering wheel and recessed gauges.
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The Mazda Kabura concept was the third-most-popular vehicle in this year’s voting.
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