You Are Here: Mopar Information : Muscle Cars : Modern Mopars : Dodge Challenger Concept : Introduction
Being key to the image, getting the right proportions was critical. The Challenger concept sits on a 116-inch wheelbase, six inches longer than the original. But its width is two inches greater, giving the concept car a squat, tougher, more purposeful persona. The signature side view accent line — designers call it the “thrust” line — is higher up on the body, running horizontal through the fender and door and kicking up just forward of the rear wheel. In section the upper and lower body surfaces intersect and fall away along this line, which has just a whisper of the original car’s coved surfacing. “We wanted to stay pure,” said Castiglione, “with simple, minimal line work, but with everything just right.”
The five-spoke chrome wheels — 20-inch, front; 21-inch, rear — are set flush with the bodyside, giving the car the powerful muscular stance of a prizefighter eager to challenge the world. Wheel openings are drawn tightly against the tires, with the rearward edges trailing off. To emphasize the iconic muscularity, the designers added plan view “hip” to the rear quarters.
One of the key characteristics of the original car the designers wanted to retain was the exceptionally wide look of both the front and back ends. To achieve this the designers increased both the front and rear tracks to 64 and 65 inches respectively, wider than the LX, wider even than the 1970 model. To realize the long horizontal hood the designers deemed essential, the front overhang was also increased.
Source of information and pictures: Chrysler