Barracuda in 2014?

[A Horse With No Name]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/chrysler-to-replace-challenger-with-barracuda-in-2014.html

And why can't I start a new topic in the Chryco sections?

[Blake Noble]

Here's my understanding:

• The Barracuda more or less indirectly replaces the Dodge Challenger. Challenger and Barracuda production overlaps (as Challenger winds down, Barracuda ramps up). The Barracuda may debut for the 2014 model year, meaning we could see it as early as sometime this coming year. Challenger production ends in model year 2015.
  
• The Barracuda may be aligned with Alfa's next coupe and the replacement for the Dodge Avenger.
  
• It won't be retro, just have a few retro cues with an overall modern flavor.
  
• It may not be branded as a Dodge and could be the next car to be sold under the SRT brand.
  

[A Horse With No Name]

Interesting....I wonder if it will feel more cheap inside like the Dart?

Dart is a nice car, but I think if Barracuda comes back it should be something special.

[Robert Hall]

I wonder what dealers it will be sold at....SRT doesn't have standalone dealers that I know of. It is rather odd that Chrysler uses SRT both as a brand (SRT Viper) and as a trim level (Challenger SRT8, Charger SRT8, etc)..

Anyway, it's going to be interesting to see what they do..

Edited August 19, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Blake Noble]

Interesting....I wonder if it will feel more cheap inside like the Dart?

I'm not sure what you mean. The two Darts I've checked out didn't seem terribly cheap inside.

Dart is a nice car, but I think if Barracuda comes back it should be something special.

I don't think the Dart is a good yardstick to use here.

I wonder what dealers it will be sold at....SRT doesn't have standalone dealers that I know of. It is rather odd that Chrysler uses SRT both as a brand (SRT Viper) and as a trim level (Challenger SRT8, Charger SRT8, etc)..

There probably will never be standalone SRT dealerships. I'd say you could probably buy the Barracuda at any Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership when it debuts, but the availability of the car in your area will probably depend on how many Challengers your local dealership sold a month. It's a similar approach that Chrysler's taking with the SRT Viper and the Dart.

Regarding the SRT brand, I'd actually go so far as to say its errorous to call it its own separate brand. I prefer to look at it as a sub-brand of Dodge with its own marketing identity, like Ram Trucks. Ram Trucks are all vinned as a Dodge, and I'd say the SRT Viper will be too. Ditto the Barracuda if its sold as a SRT. Its just a gimmick to pull in new customers who asscociate the Dodge name plate with the stigma of rednecks, cheap pilsner beer, and NASCAR.

Edited August 19, 2012 by black-knight

[Drew Dowdell]

The Chrysler 300c SRT-8 would have something to say about being a Dodge sub-brand

[ocnblu]

Not to mention the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8.

[Drew Dowdell]

I will say that Chrysler is doing the right thing with SRT, it is slowly becoming a name to be reckoned with. It's not the level of M or AMG obviously, but doing a lot better than Ford's SVO or SVT that as far as I know are mostly dead as distinct groups within Ford.

Did GM ever have a group like this that actively marketed their work? I know there is GM Performance division, but were you ever able to buy a Camaro GMPD-8?

[Turbojett]

no, but you could buy a Super Sport and various other models that started with Z

chevy only though.

[Drew Dowdell]

Yea, but that wasn't a separate team making those cars like SVO or SRT

[Turbojett]

True.

I think GMPD was trying to be that, or at least working on it, way back before 2009 happened.

Edited August 20, 2012 by Turbojett