Dodge Challenger Concept (2006) CAR review

What's this? Another retro-fabulous muscle car from the land of burgers and the brave?

Oh yes. And if there's one thing that the US of A is doing better than anyone at the moment, it's producing desperately desirable sports cars again. Ford's Mustang is firmly re-established as a true motoring icon, and Chevrolet has promised a new Camaro. And, 37 years after the original thumped its way into American popular culture (thanks in part to a fiery role in Vanishing Point), Dodge is wading in with Challenger redux. And the good news is that it'll be on sale in 2008, and we've driven the sensational-looking concept. And let me tell you, nothing turns heads on the streets of Detroit faster than the reborn Challenger.

How do people spot the 21st century version? Surely it's a carbon copy of the original...

The update is subtle, but rewarding. You take more time gorging on the lines of the Challenger than, say, a Mustang. Its less overt design leads to a visual voyage of discovery that's manna for petrol-y people like you and us. Take the 'thrust' line on the side. See how it sits on top of the front arch, then kicks up over the rear? Nice. Or the cavity motif at the front and rear, the recessed ovoid shape that contains the lights? At the back, this cavity encompasses a full-width neon-lit tail lamp. So cool. And if you're really observant and you know your muscle cars, you'll love the bonnet. It reprises the original Challenger's performance hood, but this time the twin diagonal scoops house functional butterfly-valve intakes. And those stripes are actually exposed carbon fibre from the hood material. We can only hope that Dodge does the right thing and retains these features for the production car.