For this reason the bumpers feature no guards, designed to be flush with the rest of the body. It also makes for a
clean appearance.
"This is something we would have loved to do on the original Challenger," commented Jeff Godshall, who incidentally was a young designer in the Dodge Exterior studio when the first Challenger was created, "but the technology just wasn't there. With the Challenger concept, however, the Pacifica Studio designers are able to realize what we wanted in our perfect world."
Atop the hood are two additional retro design cues, twin diagonal air scoops that borrow heavily from the original Challenger "performance hood". Now the vents are functional, mind you, featuring butterfly-valve intakes directing air into the engine.
I think
the most obvious character trait linking old and new designs is the sharply angled C-pillar and rear quarter window design, plus the fact there's no intrusive B-pillar to clutter up the elegant lines. These details, combined with the profile of a dramatically raked rear window, pulls forward a design cue that hasn't been seen for 30-some years.
In reality, compared to the 1970 car, the new concept's greenhouse is longer, its windshield and rear window swept rearward and forward more aggressively, and side glass narrower, in true LX tradition. Also unlike the original, all glass is now set flush with the body panels with no need for moldings, modern manufacturing methods and new materials becoming apparent once again.
 |
| Twin diagonal air scoops borrow heavily from the original Challenger "performance hood", but now the vents are functional. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
"This is something we would have loved to do on the original Challenger," commented Jeff Godshall, who incidentally was a young designer in the Dodge Exterior studio when the first Challenger was created, "but the technology just wasn't there. With the Challenger concept, however, the Pacifica Studio designers are able to realize what we wanted in our perfect world."
Atop the hood are two additional retro design cues, twin diagonal air scoops that borrow heavily from the original Challenger "performance hood". Now the vents are functional, mind you, featuring butterfly-valve intakes directing air into the engine.
I think
 |
| The entire rear half of the car, when seen from the front three quarter view, reminds me of the old design. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
In reality, compared to the 1970 car, the new concept's greenhouse is longer, its windshield and rear window swept rearward and forward more aggressively, and side glass narrower, in true LX tradition. Also unlike the original, all glass is now set flush with the body panels with no need for moldings, modern manufacturing methods and new materials becoming apparent once again.