To me, the Challenger may be retro, but the differences between the original and this new iteration are enough to bring it
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| The new Challenger's quad circular headlamps probably do more to conjure up images of the classic model than anything else. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
safely into the modern world. Take the all-important grille design, for instance. First of all, it's great to see Dodge stretch from beyond its Viper-derived "crosshair" styling theme to something different, just for the sake of being different. Oh, don't think that I'm blind, as I can see that the crosshair is still in there, but with the Challenger it's a subtle chrome-trimmed insert rather than the in-your-face body-colour design dominator attached to the front of the Magnum and Charger, allowing the new concept's simple horizontal lines to shine through. And comparing it side by side with the old car makes it easy to see that the two grille designs have little in common with each
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| Comparing the front end designs side by side makes it easy to see that the two grille designs, old and new, have little in common with each other. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
other, other than the overall rectangular shape of the car-width recessed cutout. Really, the quad circular headlamps probably do more to conjure up images of the classic Challenger than anything else, the outboard lenses set forward while the "six-shooter" inboard bulbs set slightly rearward, and how sweet it is to see a set of four simple, round headlamps on a modern car.
The hood rides higher than the original, which only makes sense considering the more sophisticated short/long-arm suspension setup, rack and pinion steering system, not to mention all the new-age regulations designed not only to protect occupants via crash protection crumple zones and the like, but also because of softly-shaped metal and plastic exterior panels engineered to absorb and incur less damage to pedestrians who might get in front of an overzealous or merely incompetent pony car driver.
