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Bringing back the Barracuda?

Just came across a rumor that I haven't heard much about. It looks like the Dodge Challenger may soon be calling it quits. The super-sized muscle car seems to have struggled with the Mustang and Camaro for a couple of years now both in price and performance/fuel economy.

Chrysler has been hinting at the thought of replacing the Challenger with the Barracuda. I thought this would be something interesting to bring up on the FR-S/BRZ forum because I've seen it stated several times that while it will most likely be coming with a V8 package, it very well might come with a turbo 4 cyl as well.

On top of all of the rumors and what not, 2014 will be the 50th anniversary of the Barracuda - time will tell!

Again, all speculation, but there seems to be quite a buzz going on about it.

I think it's time designers make an original design instead of recycling 60s and 70s muscle cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryude (Post 114744)

I think it's time designers make an original design instead of recycling 60s and 70s muscle cars.

AMEN!

I agree, also, but it gives them a little reassurance that the car will from having a familiar name.

Quote:

Motor Trend reports that Chrysler may forsake the Dodge Challenger for a resurrected Barracuda. The magazine cites two unnamed sources as saying the nameplate will surface in time to celebrate the vehicle's 50th anniversary in 2014. If true, the Barracuda will ride on a new smaller and lighter platform that's more fit to compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The vehicle's bones will likely be shared with Alfa Romeo, which means a turbo four-cylinder may show up behind the Barracuda headlights as well as a fire-breathing V8. MT suggests the design may pull from the original fastback Barracuda, though a notch-back version would allow Chrysler to more effectively compete against the drop-top hardware from Ford and Chevrolet.

We have no doubt Chrysler and Fiat are currently investigating ways to breathe new life into the Challenger. The vehicle has been content to plod along as a distant third to its muscle-car rivals, but pulling the Barracuda name back into play seems unlikely. For starters, the Barracuda sailed under the long-dead Plymouth banner, and both Dodge and Chrysler have a long list of hallowed names from which to choose. Stay tuned.

While I may not agree with a lot of Chryslers choices of what names they assign to what cars (ie the Charger, the Dart), at least they're using actual names in the age of cars known only by a string of letters and numbers.

Another thing I have a problem with is manufacturer's recent obsession with led accent lights on the front of cars. It's not hip, trendy, or cool. It's gaudy and makes every vehicle that has it look as if it was an afterthought. Yeah, I know Audi did it and it looked pretty cool. You know why? Because they incorporated it into the design of the car, it wasn't just "Oh, guess what this car has? Accent LEDs, that's what!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidy0998 (Post 114731)

it very well might come with a turbo 4 cyl as well.

'14 Dodge Barracuda = Dodge Dart SRT4.

I have a pessimistic sixth sense about these things. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryude (Post 114744)

I think it's time designers make an original design instead of recycling 60s and 70s muscle cars.

The 2014 Camaro and the 2014 Mustang will both have original designs, not based off of retro throwbacks. :w00t:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSSM (Post 114825)

The 2014 Camaro and the 2014 Mustang will both have original designs, not based off of retro throwbacks. :w00t:

Where have you heard that?

I have heard that we can expect all of these big muscles cars to go on a diet though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by old greg (Post 114812)

'14 Dodge Barracuda = Dodge Dart SRT4.

I have a pessimistic sixth sense about these things. :D

Hahaha let's hope not...

Dear God.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidy0998 (Post 114833)

Where have you heard that?

I have heard that we can expect all of these big muscles cars to go on a diet though.

Light weight just doesn't mean what it used to. I'm afraid 3200 lbs will become lightweight soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryude (Post 114744)

I think it's time designers make an original design instead of recycling 60s and 70s muscle cars.

I agree, but it's funny to see that here, where the 86 is heavily influenced by the 2000GT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidy0998 (Post 114833)

Where have you heard that?

I have heard that we can expect all of these big muscles cars to go on a diet though.

I am very involved in the Camaro community, CSSM means CamaroSSMan, which is what I am known as in the Camaro scene. I know and am in contact with builders and designers of the Camaro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neutral_Eyes (Post 114851)

I agree, but it's funny to see that here, where the 86 is heavily influenced by the 2000GT.

Yea, but I honestly don't know what a 2000gt looked like :)