We are amazed at the number of people who have voted so far in what has been dubbed the “Pony Poll”. Over 5,600 people have voted (as of 4:00AM EST) for either the Dodge Challenger Concept or Chevy Camaro Concept as the pony car with the best presence at this year’s Detroit auto show and the race is nearly dead even. The Camaro Concept had been leading in the voting all day long, but some time after midnight the Challenger Concept pulled ahead by the slimmest of margins. Right now it’s leading by only 18 votes.
Since we don’t want to be counting chads when this is all over, we decided to put some video up of each concept’s debut so that people could actually see these cars from a few more angles. If you haven’t voted yet, you can do so below.
Video of Challenger Concept
Video of Camaro Concept
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rishi Khaitan @ Jan 12th 2006 7:16AM
I just voted and indeed the two are neck and neck.
Some points to noodle on:
1) Based on all estimates I've seen, the Challenger is a 4000lb car. A 2-ton sports car? Ugh. Sure, with wide enough rubber, big brakes, and gobs of torque, it's a capable car. But sometimes I wish the Big 3 wouldn't just be complacent with the brute force approach.
2) Chrysler has demonstrated in the past few years that they are willing to build production vehicles that are very close to their concepts. For the most part, GM has not. I'd be willing to bet that a production Hemi-powered Challenger will be very similar to the concept we see. I can't say I have the same confidence in Chevy.
3) Clearly, Chevy (and GM) really has something great on their hands. When was the last time a Chevy debut was the most anticipated at the show? Lutz and his crew really can't drop the ball on this. If they do, then it really shouldn't come as any surprise when they go bankrupt.
JOSH @ Jan 12th 2006 8:27AM
I'm definitely a Chevy guy, but the challenger concept is just much more appealing to the eye. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something not quite right about the camaro concept. And i definitely agree with Mr. Khaitan, we are way more likely to see the Challenger concept make it to production with less alterations. Although the looks of the Camaro concept piss me off just enough to make me think i might be wrong about that.
Non-Bizarro Adam @ Jan 12th 2006 8:44AM
I can't understand people who say that GM doesn't produce their concepts that draw good press. The HHR, the Solstice, the SSR, and the Evoq (as XLR) all have been produced in recent years. People will say "But what about Cien/Bengal/Nomad etc." Are they supposed to produce every concept? Did Chrysler build that Tomahawk thing? How well did the Prowler sell? Anyway, this is just another myth that everyone seems to repeat, just becasue they heard it said by someone else, and not because they have any actual knowledge of the subject.
Joe @ Jan 12th 2006 9:05AM
The Camaro looks way more futuristic (reminds me of Robocop) but I like the retro look of the Challenger. Except for the over the top wheels.
kevin tait @ Jan 12th 2006 9:40AM
It's refreshing to see chrysler and gm build something attractive without having to mortgage the house on a corvette or viper. As an old school muscle car kinda guy, i especially like the look of the challenger. There are so few of the old muscle cars around (i am lucky enough to drive a 69 roadrunner), it gives the younger set a chance to own one without the upkeep, uncertainties and seasonality of owning a vintage. The camaro, although not resembling the ones of old, still looks pretty hot. Maybe the big three are retiring the librarians that have been designing their probes, volares and echoes, and have hired a couple of the boys who used to sit at the back of the class drawing cool hotrods. They better do something to compete with the foreign competition.
max @ Jan 12th 2006 9:53AM
"Maybe the big three are retiring the librarians that have been designing their probes, volares and echoes, and have hired a couple of the boys who used to sit at the back of the class drawing cool hotrods."
"echoes"
Kevin-do you mean Toyota is part of the big three?!? Or are you getting metaphoric?
I understand that these things take awhile to develop-but they're going to get to market to late. Lutz should be pushing the Camaro along like he did the Solstice.
Matt @ Jan 12th 2006 9:54AM
The fact that they are both even is no doubt a Good Thing .. competition will encourage engineering improvements by each company trying to one-up the other. This will probably follow through to Ford as well.
My opinion? I like the look of the challenger a lot more and I voted for it, but the displacement on demand feature of the Camaro is very intriguing for long-distance commuters such as myself. Gas savings of %25 or whatever would be a significant savings on total cost of ownership. Maybe the camaro would look better in blue or something? Or with a body kit? Or up close and in person.
Andrew @ Jan 12th 2006 10:19AM
Matt, all the current Hemis have displacement on demand (DCX calls it MDS/Multi-Displacement System). I would assume the Challenger would have it as well.
Angus Podgorny @ Jan 12th 2006 10:58AM
Just my opinion: The Challenger looks like a big dumb mouth-breathing slab. The Camaro looks more vigorous.
Jp @ Jan 12th 2006 11:18AM
On looks alone: The Challenger is too retro looking. The Camaro has a better balance; it incorporates 'retro' design hints while still keeping a modern look. This makes it more appealing to today’s car buyer. I think the Camaro will be more successful.
ROMPJ @ Jan 12th 2006 11:57AM
Other then the ROMPJ and maybe the soon to be 4 door Wrangler, there isn't anything as UTTER as the Challenger at the show. The Camaro is ok but it isn't anywhere near as UTTER as the Challenger.
John @ Jan 12th 2006 11:58AM
I didn't much care for the looks of the original Challenger, can't say I like it now. For me the Camaro wins hands down.
hitbyastick @ Jan 12th 2006 12:02PM
Time to coiff your mullets, boys! I like them both very much except for the v-shaped front end on the Camaro. The Challenger looks almost dead-on like the vintage model but hey I don't care. I don't take points off for being 'too retro' because I know the mechanicals are all 21st century. I happen to like the old design and if they bring it back with modernized internals then that's even better. I'm growin' my mullet back as we speak.
AutoFan @ Jan 12th 2006 1:27PM
>>10. On looks alone: The Challenger is too retro looking. The Camaro has a better balance; it incorporates 'retro' design hints while still keeping a modern look. This makes it more appealing to today’s car buyer. I think the Camaro will be more successful.
AutoFan @ Jan 12th 2006 1:31PM
OK, I don't know what happened there, but let me try again:
I was saying that although I'm not a huge fan of the Camaro concept as it stands, I agree with Jp that it will ultimately sell better because it doesn't look like a 35-year-old car. The Challenger is a great concept, but the Camaro (if its design is toned down a bit) will probably be more successful.
AutoFan @ Jan 12th 2006 1:36PM
OK, I don't know what happened there, but let me try again:
I was saying that although I'm not a huge fan of the Camaro concept as it stands, I agree with Jp that it will ultimately sell better because it doesn't look like a 35-year-old car. The Challenger is a great concept, but the Camaro (if its design is toned down a bit) will probably be more successful.
AutoFan @ Jan 12th 2006 1:39PM
Oh, and the whole comments posting thing apparently hates me.
tony belligerent @ Jan 12th 2006 1:44PM
"Matt, all the current Hemis have displacement on demand (DCX calls it MDS/Multi-Displacement System). I would assume the Challenger would have it as well."
This is untrue. ONLY the 5.7L 340/350HP Hemi has MDS. The 6.1L, found in the SRT line, does not. Nor will the Challenger. It's going to be a gas hog unless they change that. The base car should come with the 5.7, not the 6.1
bubba @ Jan 12th 2006 3:36PM
build the camaro now. in the second yr of production build a Z28 model with a LS7 427 engine. when can i order one?
blair @ Jan 12th 2006 3:47PM
build the camaro now. in the second yr of production build a Z28 model with a LS7 427 engine. when can i order one?