http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88201

 

Still hurts GM can't get the Camaro here any faster. Sucks to be so late to the party.

 

The Imperial? They're actually building that ugly thing? I didn't think reaction was very favorable to it last year....

 

What as the difference between teh imperial and 300.

 

I think he was mistaken. I've heard it's actually something else. Details to follow at the NY auto show...

 

From someone who posts over at LS1GTO and is a reputable source:

"Unfortunately no. Eariest release is as MY 08.5 model...so expect to see them maybe late next fall.

This initial run will be limited with 'goodies'...

Expect watered-down versions available as MY09 models."

 

Ummm...... we're in the 2008MY right now. There's no such thing as a 1/2 year model (even the '64 1/2 Mustang was never called that, and was actually a '65).

I also don't expect Chrysler to pull another "Pacifica" after the way things turned out last time.
(Chrysler brought out only the top Pacifica model when they 1st came out and the vehicles sat on lots because the public & media saw them as overpriced. Chrysler rushed out the lower cost versions, and it took quite awhile for Chrysler to recover, and Pacifica to start selling in decent numbers.)

Expect the production Challenger to be shown at next years Auto Shows, and in showrooms no later than spring 2008.... assuming it doesn't come out next winter.

 

That lines up pretty well with what is known in the Mopar community:

"MY 08.5" = Production of 2008-year cars starting in early 2008. (In the last few months, there have been dates posted to the Mopar boards by "credible sources" ranging from 11/07 to 4/08, so the truth is probably in that range somewhere.)

"limited with 'goodies'" = Challenger R/T = 6.1 and a 6 speed manual. (I have also heard that there will be 5.7/auto cars in MY08, but I'm less sure of that.)

Later: 5.7 models (including a "Challenger T/A" package with the 5.7, auto trans, sport exhaust and suspension, and High Impact colors -- like the Charger Daytonas), possibly V6s, and the SRTs, which will have something in the 500+ hp range.

Who's the "source" on LS1GTO.com?

 

Nothing, except a more luxurious interior and some rip-off Rolls body work.

 

Actually, there's one important difference: the Imperial had a 123" wheelbase, vs 120" for the 300 etc.

 

Interesting. That's the first I've heard of that.

 

Speaking as someone who owns some stock in Chrysler, I also think the Imperial is pretty ugly.

 

How does DCX take the Challenger (LC) from mule to production in a year, where as the Camaro will take two years from mule to production?

 

I kinda like it, although I can't explain why, and no one else seems to feel the same way.

 

Challenger is a derivative of an existing platform and it's going to be built on an existing flex production line that supposedly will only need light tweaking to handle it. Camaro will be the first car to be built in NA on Zeta and Oshawa 2 is being gutted and completely redone to build it (and many other Zetas).

Big, BIG difference.