Why do they call it a Charger?

[TheFearlessFury]

Lately I've started to wonder why dodge calls this a Charger? When you think about it they have absolutely nothing to do with the classic Dodge Charger. It doesn't even remotely resemble the old Charger like the new Challenger looks like the classic Challenger. And to my knowledge they never made a 4-door Charger before this one.

Was it because Chrysler didn't think the new Dodge Coronet would sound as good? I feel like that would have been a more accurate name to give it.

 

[67Monaco]

Aren't you contemplating this like 10 years late?

 

[GJS]

I think the reintroduction of the charger name predates any real attempt at retro styling (if you wanna call it that). At the time they recycled that name, I don't even think the 69 based mustang was out. Still dealing with the PT Cruiser and crap like that. In fact, my favorite design of that time period was the Magnum wagon!
It's kinda like the early 80's when Chevy slapped "Nova" on a little Toyota... Except at least the original Novas WERE ln some cases little 4 door grocery getters.
For my part, I'd have called it Magnum and let it exist alongside the wagon as a 4 door option then completely redesigned for the Charger instead of or as well as the Challenger...
It's hard with Chrysler, so many iconic designs.
I'll say this, I have a 2015 Challenger Scat Pack, as soon as I drove it, the interior reeked of the driver centric design of my 69 Fury, which was a welcomed addition over the previous years dash. They do pay attention. Just wish they'd held off in recycling that name.... And dissolving Plymouth.

 

[TheFearlessFury]

Aren't you contemplating this like 10 years late?

Yup sure am. Not like they would have listened anyway though.

Yeah It would be nice to imagine things if Plymouth stuck around. It's not like they were as redundant as Mercury anyway. But with Pontiac gone as well those old muscle car marques are getting whittled down.

 

[Wildaugust]

Well, I will agree that the idea of a four door Charger is a little hard to take, at least it is a rear wheel drive V8 powered car, unlike the Chargers of the '80s which, IMO, really had nothing to do with the original Charger. From the front it looks nothing like a '68-'70 Charger, which seems to be the car most people think of when you say original Charger. The roof rear window treatment has slight traces to the '68-'70 rear window and they have tried to copy the taillight design, first of the '68 and then of the '69-'70. I agree that they could've gone for a more retro look for the whole car and a two door version would have been nice, but I doubt if the corporate bean counters would have gone for it.

 

[GJS]

Indeed... Gotta keep the Khargers in mind... We've come a long way.

 

[commando1]

Indeed... Gotta keep the Khargers in mind... We've come a long way.

Yep, nothing like finding the real thing abandoned in a field...

 

[GJS]

Yep, nothing like finding the real thing abandoned in a field...

What f***ing little part of me feels bad for that little bastard child of (arguably) the WORST decade of American automotive history?
I want to gauge that part of me out with a rusty spoon.

 

[commando1]

I dunno whether the industry has really improved. Fake machismo will never die.

 

[GJS]

I dunno whether the industry has really improved. Fake machismo will never die.

I will say, when that ram came out in 2010 (I think) I thought it to be a very bold and strong design... I owned a 2014 2500 reg cab Cummings till it got crushed by a 75 foot maple tree and just thought it was hot ****... However, they REALLY screwed that up this year with the big ole RAM lettering... Ford esp. And Chevy as well, I'm used to that "truck nut" feel... Don't like it or want it but am used to it. Chrysler, however.. They had a nice tough (looking, it actually had dead tires and brakes by 20,000 miles and I treat my **** like gold) truck and they made a bunch of adhesive based upgrades... Shame, man.

 

[Fratzog]

What f***ing little part of me feels bad for that little bastard child of (arguably) the WORST decade of American automotive history?
I want to gauge that part of me out with a rusty spoon.

Respectfully disagree. They sold lots of those cars and they saved the company. I enjoyed carving up the snow drifts in my little Omni. The 2.2 was a bullet proof motor and the right for the times. If it wasn't for those little **** boxes and Lee Iaccoca Chrysler wouldn't exist today.

 

[GJS]

Respectfully disagree. They sold lots of those cars and they saved the company. I enjoyed carving up the snow drifts in my little Omni. The 2.2 was a bullet proof motor and the right for the times. If it wasn't for those little **** boxes and Lee Iaccoca Chrysler wouldn't exist today.

I smell ya, man. You're talking to a dude that swoons over every early 80s D50 (Mitsubishi) he sees, it was my first truck. 80's **** boxes have a very special place in my heart... Many 90s **** boxes as well. But if you wanna get down to it, this isn't a question of quality, just design. Arguments can be made across the board for or against any make, model or model year ever. In the end, its what strokes you properly and I suspect the boys in Detroit felt the same way.

 

[Big_John]

Yep, nothing like finding the real thing abandoned in a field...

With a Japanese Challenger next to it!

I actually liked those FWD Chargers.

 

[Carmine]

Seriously, what kinda BS is this? It's like we invaded Iraq but we still haven't gotten Osama Bin Laden! I do think those commercials where they say "dude, that thing gotta hemi?" are great. But seriously I think those Chargers are gonna be about as succesful as that iPod thing. Who wants a 4dr muscle car, or music on a computer file. Catch you guys on Myspace!

 

[GJS]

I love the "hemi" thing. Putting the word "Hemi" on the side of a car. Gimme displacement, dude. Otherwise, what are you talking about? Like, a Briggs and Stratton 3hp that happens to have a hemispherical head? I hate that I'm a marketing dude.

 

[jct]

I think the reintroduction of the charger name predates any real attempt at retro styling (if you wanna call it that). At the time they recycled that name, I don't even think the 69 based mustang was out. Still dealing with the PT Cruiser and crap like that. In fact, my favorite design of that time period was the Magnum wagon!
It's kinda like the early 80's when Chevy slapped "Nova" on a little Toyota... Except at least the original Novas WERE ln some cases little 4 door grocery getters.
For my part, I'd have called it Magnum and let it exist alongside the wagon as a 4 door option then completely redesigned for the Charger instead of or as well as the Challenger...
It's hard with Chrysler, so many iconic designs.
I'll say this, I have a 2015 Challenger Scat Pack, as soon as I drove it, the interior reeked of the driver centric design of my 69 Fury, which was a welcomed addition over the previous years dash. They do pay attention. Just wish they'd held off in recycling that name.... And dissolving Plymouth.

i want to see a magnum sedan

 

[live4theking]

I saw the original Charger concept car (a number of years before the rereleased) it was a2 door. I agree it didn't look anything like a 68-70 Charger though.

 

[commando1]

i want to see a magnum sedan

That would be a Charger, then...

 

[The Horvaths]

GMC Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer Edition?

 

[jct]

That would be a Charger, then...

then why do ppl put on the 300 dog house on the magnums and no body thought of putting the magnum dog house on a 300, i think that would look hella sexy