{"id":498,"date":"2011-04-06T14:04:41","date_gmt":"2011-04-06T14:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/?p=498"},"modified":"2011-04-06T14:10:19","modified_gmt":"2011-04-06T14:10:19","slug":"2011-dodge-challenger-hearkens-to-a-golden-age-of-muscle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/2011-dodge-challenger-hearkens-to-a-golden-age-of-muscle\/","title":{"rendered":"2011 Dodge Challenger Harkens to a Golden Age of Muscle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Try to swing by a Phoenix Arizona dealership and pick up a 2011 Chevy Nova, or a brand new Ford Galaxy, you wont have much luck, but try to pick up a 2011 Dodge Challenger and you can find yourself in the drivers seat with ease.<\/p>\n

The Dodge Challenger is in its third generation.\u00a0 Originally a muscle car (some may prefer pony car), the first generation, 1970-1974, had a classic muscle car build based upon the Chrysler e-platform, while the second generation, 1978-1983 was a much tamer and less sporty commuter car.\u00a0 The third generation, in production since 2008, is a re-birth of the classic American muscle car.\u00a0 While the Mustang and the Camaro have been able to retain much of their original aesthetic over the years, no one is doing a double take on a Mustang or a Camaro, wondering if maybe they are starring at a museum quality classic muscle car on a performance enhancer.<\/p>\n

This third version is a 2-door coupe sharing many common design elements with the first generation Challenger, despite being significantly longer and taller. The chassis is a modified (shortened wheelbase) version of the LX platform that underpins the 2006-Current Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, and the 2005-Current Chrysler 300.\u00a0 The LX platform was adapted from the Mercedes E Class, reflecting the German company\u2019s ownership of Chrysler at the time and quest for economies of scale.<\/p>\n

The interior options include an available sunroof, front bucket seats, angled center console, an available pistol-grip shifter and a new three-spoke steering wheel featuring available integrated audio controls, while the Challenger tunnel-style instrument cluster gauges and available race-inspired pedals are a nod to its heritage.<\/p>\n

The bold exterior design of the 2011 Challenger calls back to its classically sculpted muscle car roots, while taking modern knowledge of aerodynamics into account.\u00a0 The 2011 model includes:<\/p>\n