2013 Audi A3

No convertible for Dodge Challenger

 
5 6,662 views Oct 8, 2008
Follow Nelson

dodge challenger 01 1

dodge challenger 22

dodge challenger 22

Enlarge Photo
The era of the muscle car may be waning, but Dodge's Challenger is working to stay relevant with a broad range of engine and trim choices, including a relatively efficient V6 engine. One option that won't be available on the Challenger, however, is a convertible top.

Ranging in price from $21,195 in V6 SE trim to $37,995 in Hemi SRT8 trim, the Challenger spans a wide range of tastes in coupe format. Some enthusiasts had hoped Chrysler would see fit to include a drop-top version of the car for good-weather cruising, but new information reveals it didn't make sense in the car's development, reports Kicking Tires.

"We considered a convertible when we were developing Challenger, but the extra weight needed to beef up the car when the top was removed was too much of a penalty,” said Mike Accavitti, Dodge's director of brand marketing. “And that was with a manual soft-top. A power-retractable hardtop would add even more weight."

The Challenger is an already heavy car at about 4,100lb (1,860kg), being the first coupe built on the large LX platform shared by cars like the 300C and Charger. Adding to that total would only hamper performance further and drive down fuel economy. On top of that, Dodge didn't find much of a market for a convertible version in their research.

To see what a convertible Challenger might have looked like, check out our coverage of the 'Cuda' Concept.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and SE

HI-RES GALLERY: dodge challenger 01 1

HI-RES GALLERY: dg009 001cl 2




Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (5)

  1. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 10/8/2008 9:39am PDT

    Curiosity got the better of me this past weekend and I wondered into a Dodge dealer to go see the new Challenger. What blew me away was that the dealer had a $10K markup on the Hemi RT models. They sticker for $32, 500 and he's sticking a 30% markup on them and still cant keep them on the show room floor!

    And apparently Americans are rushing to buy fuel efficient vehicles? I love it!!!!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 10/8/2008 11:05am PDT

    How about a glass roof version and a targa and trage convertible
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. ma_gus avatar Gus Chyba Posted: 10/8/2008 11:46am PDT

    Well, that kills it for me.
    I wonder why not, the Mustang convertible is almost all you see here.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. ma_gus avatar Gus Chyba Posted: 10/8/2008 11:47am PDT

    As for the markups, yeas, that is difficult to fathom. Here the still want $20k above sticker for a GT500. I told them "it's just a Mustang with some bits bolted on" but they said people will pay that, so beware the fools, I guess...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. ma_TaeKwonDonkey avatar TaeKwonDonkey Posted: 10/8/2008 2:51pm PDT

    No convertible?! this thing was made to be convertible
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!

More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.