New Challenger Soft???

[levinge]

Went and looked at the new Challenger the other day.

I walked away a little disappointed, for the following reasons:

Internal stylings look more like a sedan....

Seats have been taken straight from the outlander and don't suit something that is designed to go off road......

Overhead console has GONE... replaced with 1 sunglas holder and a light

Rear trays in wagon GONE....Nowhere to put all the 4x4 tools etc

Sat in the drivers seat and seem that the cab is smaller with the dash protruding out at you.....

GONE VERY SOFT!!!!!

No Tow pack Yet!!!! Advised by Sales Manager that Mitso are still working out what to put on it and attempting to have the tow rating raised up...

Said to them the only way I will test drive one is with my boat hooked up to the back and on the highway (to his credit he did say we could test drive all the way up to Cardwell and then go fishing).....

[chisel]

At least they brought it to market in Australia. I think the segment between softroaders and prado/pajero needs something a little more 4wd oriented than territory/kluger type vehicles.

[White Pointer]

G'day,

You sound like a commited customer who has a lot of doubts.

Can I suggest that you go back and have a good look at a Triton and compare everything from the Triton to the new Challenger from the "B" post (i.e. between the doors) forward. In the previous series they were exactly the same car. The new ones will have lots of airbags and softer plastics and be better and safer for it.

It is disappointing that the accessories range isn't finalised when they release the car because people like you want to buy it and drive it away fully backed by the manufacturer.

Compared to the old full chassis Pajero, Challenger and Triton, it is likely that the fuel tank has been shifted up under the back seats and the rear is just a crumple zone with a spare wheel in it; so not too much strength.

To increase the towing capacity it may mean using a tow bar that is also a chassis flitch that reaches right up to the rear axle mountings. Too expensive, I think.

Regards,

White Pointer

[levinge]

Totally agree there WP, It will fill the gap, but I think they have gone a little too soft for me.

May just stay with my old Challenger for a while until they get things sorted or look at other brands down the track...