08 Concept Cuda Review
#1
11-14-2007, 10:28 AM
08 Concept Cuda Review
Therelease of the 2005 Mustang, with lines very similar to that of the original, but with a modern touch, has sparked a new trend in the American performance market. Referred to by many as “retro-styling”, this legendary pony car returning to its original look took the industry by storm, and as has always been the case, Chrysler Corporation and General Motors were not slow to respond. At the 2005 Detroit International Auto Show, the very same event where the 2005 Mustang design was originally displayed, the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger concepts were introduced to the public, with the new prospect of a full class of vehicles to go head to head in this modern horsepower war. Like the Mustang, the Challenger used both an iconic name and a very similar likeness to the original in order to bring back this renowned performance car, whereas the Camaro took a more modern look while adding cues from the original Camaro shape.
Although few cars in the history of the American automotive industry have been given the pre-production attention of the new Dodge Challenger, rumors surfaced about yet another retro muscle car from the Chrysler camp. Even with the Plymouth brand name being put to rest in 2001, grainy photographs and altered shots of the upcoming Challenger were popping up around the internet, with claims that this new “Cuda” was going to be introduced by Chrysler Corporation as a sibling to the Challenger, much like they were in the early 1970s. However, there was no substantial reason to believe that the mighty Cuda would return, even though there were some subtle hints by Chrysler Corporation. During the 2006 promotion by DaimlerChrysler, named “Ask Dr. Z”, people could write in and ask questions about the company. It was discovered that asking about the possible return of the Cuda received some vague comment about the existence of a Cuda concept. This was enough for some to stay interested, especially as more elaborate artists’ renderings of what the new Cuda could be began their tour of the internet, and in a completely unexpected move by Chrysler, the centerpiece of their 2007 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show display in Las Vegas was the 2008 Concept Cuda.
Like the popular Dodge Challenger Concept, the new Concept Cuda is finished in a bright metallic orange with the hint of a light pearl mixed in, along with the carbon fiber and silver accents. The car was joined by a placard detailing the vehicle, but those details were very sparse, basically only stating the obvious.
2008 Concept Cuda
Powertain:
-6.1L, 425 horsepower HEMI
-5-speed Auto-Stick Transmission
-Hurst Billet Pistol Grip Shifter
Handing:
-Suspension modifications; Lowering springs causing the car to sit approximately 1.5 inches lower than the Challenger in the front, and 2 inches lower in the rear
-Six-piston Brembo high performance brake calipers wrapped around large rotors
Wheels:
-Front Zenetti 22” x 9.5” Five-spoke polished aluminum
-Rear Zenetti 22” x 10.5” Five-spoke polished aluminum
Tires:
-Front- 265/35/ZR22
-Rear- 305/35/ZR22
Interior:
-Dodge Charger SRT-8 Black Interior
-Leather Seat and door trim added
Exterior:
-Full Carbon Fiber body
-“Lamborghini Pearl Orange” with exposed polished carbon fiber hood, rear spoiler, and tail light panel
The 2008 Concept Cuda was built by Metalcrafters of California, the same company responsible for the build of the Dodge Challenger concept, along with many other Chrysler concept cars over the last few years. The car is designed by the private owner, who is working with Chrysler to test the interest around the vehicle, which is rumored to possibly see production if “everything goes well”.
Looking at the front end, there is no mistaking what you are observing, as the front end is almost identical to the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. The sharp, angular grille is divided by the large center peak, with the single headlights set to the very outside, sunken into deep bezels. While the 1970 grille was often a rough silver finish, the 2008 Concept Cuda wears a sparkling carbon fiber grille, with much larger vent areas for better cooling compared to the ’70 grille. Like almost all modern cars, the Concept Cuda sports a modeled front bumper, although it is similar and shape and positioning to that of the 1970 chrome unit, and just like the vintage front end, the new Cuda has a pair of small fog lights mounted in front of the lower radiator opening.
The rear of the car continues the strong resemblance to the 1970 model, the most obvious part being the large three-slot tail lights set into a carbon fiber panel, which is sunken into the trunk lid and rear quarter panels section. Unlike the 1970 rear end, the license plate area is removed from the tail light panel, and instead is placed below the molded rear bumper which follows the front theme of using a color coded, molded piece rather than the chrome clad steel bumpers of the muscle car era. The area which used to hold the license plate now holds a large billet gas cap. The 2008 Concept Cuda also shares exhaust tip styling, with the 1970 “hemicuda”. Elongated, flat tips, finished in bright silver, hang just below the rear bumper, but on the early e-body based Barracuda’s, the tips exited through the rear valance.
The roofline and mirrors, along with the shape of the windows, are all very similar to the Dodge Challenger Concept, but the Concept Cuda has been given a more chiseled look thanks to the flattened fender flares which flow into the bumpers. One of the most popular trim items of the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was the optional “Shaker hood”. Known by the appearance of the engine-mounted hood scoop, which pokes through a formfitting hole in the hood, this style has been often copied by the aftermarket, and the factory equipped “hemicuda” with a Shaker hood is among the most sought after of the Mopar muscle cars. The Concept Cuda is equipped with a functional Shaker hood, although it works by means of a system of piping rather than the original which simply sat atop of the carburetors on the 1970 426 Hemi.
An intricate system of tubing takes the air being jammed into the massive hood scoop, through the air filter which is located under the front driver’s side corner of the hood, then moving to the throttle body which is mounted under the front edge of the hood scoop assembly. The diagram below shows how the air travels from outside, to the engine.
The interior, which is listed as coming from a Dodge Charger SRT-8 has been modified very little, shy of some added leather items. The dash, steering wheels, and shift console are all identical to the Charger, with the addition of a Hurst pistol grip shift handle and a custom logo replacing the Dodge logo in the center of the wheel.
While it should again be pointed out that this car is designed by someone outside of Chrysler Corporation and is currently listed as simply a one-off vehicle, the attention paid to this gorgeous new pony car is being monitored by the company, and if the constant crowd around the 2008 Concept Cuda at this year’s SEMA Show was any indication, there could be a brand new Hemi Cuda hitting the streets in the next few years. If the Cuda does see production in the near future, there is a good chance that the sleek lines and handful of rumored performance engines from Chrysler Corporation would help the modern era Cuda to proudly reinforce the reputation set by the original Plymouth Barracuda of the 1960s and 1970s.
(Copyright 2007, DodgeForum.com)
Although few cars in the history of the American automotive industry have been given the pre-production attention of the new Dodge Challenger, rumors surfaced about yet another retro muscle car from the Chrysler camp. Even with the Plymouth brand name being put to rest in 2001, grainy photographs and altered shots of the upcoming Challenger were popping up around the internet, with claims that this new “Cuda” was going to be introduced by Chrysler Corporation as a sibling to the Challenger, much like they were in the early 1970s. However, there was no substantial reason to believe that the mighty Cuda would return, even though there were some subtle hints by Chrysler Corporation. During the 2006 promotion by DaimlerChrysler, named “Ask Dr. Z”, people could write in and ask questions about the company. It was discovered that asking about the possible return of the Cuda received some vague comment about the existence of a Cuda concept. This was enough for some to stay interested, especially as more elaborate artists’ renderings of what the new Cuda could be began their tour of the internet, and in a completely unexpected move by Chrysler, the centerpiece of their 2007 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show display in Las Vegas was the 2008 Concept Cuda.
Like the popular Dodge Challenger Concept, the new Concept Cuda is finished in a bright metallic orange with the hint of a light pearl mixed in, along with the carbon fiber and silver accents. The car was joined by a placard detailing the vehicle, but those details were very sparse, basically only stating the obvious.
2008 Concept Cuda
Powertain:
-6.1L, 425 horsepower HEMI
-5-speed Auto-Stick Transmission
-Hurst Billet Pistol Grip Shifter
Handing:
-Suspension modifications; Lowering springs causing the car to sit approximately 1.5 inches lower than the Challenger in the front, and 2 inches lower in the rear
-Six-piston Brembo high performance brake calipers wrapped around large rotors
Wheels:
-Front Zenetti 22” x 9.5” Five-spoke polished aluminum
-Rear Zenetti 22” x 10.5” Five-spoke polished aluminum
Tires:
-Front- 265/35/ZR22
-Rear- 305/35/ZR22
Interior:
-Dodge Charger SRT-8 Black Interior
-Leather Seat and door trim added
Exterior:
-Full Carbon Fiber body
-“Lamborghini Pearl Orange” with exposed polished carbon fiber hood, rear spoiler, and tail light panel
The 2008 Concept Cuda was built by Metalcrafters of California, the same company responsible for the build of the Dodge Challenger concept, along with many other Chrysler concept cars over the last few years. The car is designed by the private owner, who is working with Chrysler to test the interest around the vehicle, which is rumored to possibly see production if “everything goes well”.
Looking at the front end, there is no mistaking what you are observing, as the front end is almost identical to the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. The sharp, angular grille is divided by the large center peak, with the single headlights set to the very outside, sunken into deep bezels. While the 1970 grille was often a rough silver finish, the 2008 Concept Cuda wears a sparkling carbon fiber grille, with much larger vent areas for better cooling compared to the ’70 grille. Like almost all modern cars, the Concept Cuda sports a modeled front bumper, although it is similar and shape and positioning to that of the 1970 chrome unit, and just like the vintage front end, the new Cuda has a pair of small fog lights mounted in front of the lower radiator opening.
The rear of the car continues the strong resemblance to the 1970 model, the most obvious part being the large three-slot tail lights set into a carbon fiber panel, which is sunken into the trunk lid and rear quarter panels section. Unlike the 1970 rear end, the license plate area is removed from the tail light panel, and instead is placed below the molded rear bumper which follows the front theme of using a color coded, molded piece rather than the chrome clad steel bumpers of the muscle car era. The area which used to hold the license plate now holds a large billet gas cap. The 2008 Concept Cuda also shares exhaust tip styling, with the 1970 “hemicuda”. Elongated, flat tips, finished in bright silver, hang just below the rear bumper, but on the early e-body based Barracuda’s, the tips exited through the rear valance.
The roofline and mirrors, along with the shape of the windows, are all very similar to the Dodge Challenger Concept, but the Concept Cuda has been given a more chiseled look thanks to the flattened fender flares which flow into the bumpers. One of the most popular trim items of the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was the optional “Shaker hood”. Known by the appearance of the engine-mounted hood scoop, which pokes through a formfitting hole in the hood, this style has been often copied by the aftermarket, and the factory equipped “hemicuda” with a Shaker hood is among the most sought after of the Mopar muscle cars. The Concept Cuda is equipped with a functional Shaker hood, although it works by means of a system of piping rather than the original which simply sat atop of the carburetors on the 1970 426 Hemi.
An intricate system of tubing takes the air being jammed into the massive hood scoop, through the air filter which is located under the front driver’s side corner of the hood, then moving to the throttle body which is mounted under the front edge of the hood scoop assembly. The diagram below shows how the air travels from outside, to the engine.
The interior, which is listed as coming from a Dodge Charger SRT-8 has been modified very little, shy of some added leather items. The dash, steering wheels, and shift console are all identical to the Charger, with the addition of a Hurst pistol grip shift handle and a custom logo replacing the Dodge logo in the center of the wheel.
While it should again be pointed out that this car is designed by someone outside of Chrysler Corporation and is currently listed as simply a one-off vehicle, the attention paid to this gorgeous new pony car is being monitored by the company, and if the constant crowd around the 2008 Concept Cuda at this year’s SEMA Show was any indication, there could be a brand new Hemi Cuda hitting the streets in the next few years. If the Cuda does see production in the near future, there is a good chance that the sleek lines and handful of rumored performance engines from Chrysler Corporation would help the modern era Cuda to proudly reinforce the reputation set by the original Plymouth Barracuda of the 1960s and 1970s.
(Copyright 2007, DodgeForum.com)
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11-14-2007, 08:35 PM
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