When designers at Chrysler Group’s West Coast Pacifica Studio sat down to brainstorm what a Dodge Challenger for the 21st century should be, they sketched out a list of attributes that should define a modern muscle car: First, it must be distinctly American, something that exudes red, white, and blue.
Second, it must be equipped with plenty of horsepower, such as what Chrysler’s Hemi V8 engines produce.
Third, it must possess pure, minimalist, signature body lines, taking advantage of today’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Fourth, it must be equipped with an aggressive grille, and few grilles are more aggressive than Dodge’s cross-hair design.
Fifth, it must be painted a bold color, something along the lines of the Orange Pearl paint coating the Dodge Challenger Concept.
Starting with a shortened version of the rear-drive LX platform that serves as the foundation for the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum, stylists began work on the Challenger. An original 1970 model was brought into the studio to serve as inspiration for the concept car, chosen because the ‘70 is the most sought-after model by collectors. Chrysler’s hired pens didn’t want to re-create that car, though. Rather, they wanted to create the Challenger that most people see in their mind’s eye – a car without imperfections like the original model’s tucked-under wheels, long front overhang, and poor build quality. The new Challenger needed to replicate all the good things about the original car, but in an updated form to erase all the bad things. I asked Michael Castiglione, the Challenger Concept’s principal exterior designer, why they didn’t bring in the second-generation Challenger, a rusted-out 1978 complete with Mitsubishi running gear, as further inspiration for the team. Maybe as a reminder of what not to do. Castiglione clearly wondered what kind of moron he was dealing with.
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