The name was resurrected in 1978 to be slapped on a Mitsubishi built compact, the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Coupe. It was known also as Mitsubishi Sapporo and Plymouth Sapporo. Although mechanically identical, the Dodge version emphasized sportiness, with bright colors and tape stripes, and the Plymouth on luxury with more subdued trim. Both cars were sold until 1983. The car retained the frameless hardtop styling of the old Challenger, but had only a four-cylinder engine and was a long way in performance from its namesake. Nevertheless, it acquired a reputation as a reasonably brisk performer of its type, not least because of its available 2.6 L engine, exceptionally large for a four-cylinder. Four-cylinder engines of this size had not usually been built due to inherent vibration, but Mitsubishi pioneered the use of balance shafts to help damp this out and the Challenger was one of the first vehicles to bring this technology to the American market; it has since been licensed to many other manufacturers.
In 2006 the next Challenger was revield at the North American International Auto Show. The new car is meant to be a rival for the Mustang and Camaro (also still a concept). The 2008 Dodge Challenger will have a 6.1L HEMI V8 coupled with a 6-speed manual transmision
Read more about the 2008 Dodge Challenger
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04.5.2007 @ 10:53