Production Dodge Avenger shows up online
Upon first seeing the Dodge Avenger Concept ahead of the Paris Motor Show this year, the first thing we wondered was how this design would translate into a production model. The concept was equal parts flash and production ready pieces, so we couldn't say for certain what the car would look like without the show trim and large wheels. Now we know. A pair of shots showing a preproduction version of the Dodge Avenger was posted by Auto Motor und Sport today, and for the most part the underlying design of the concept car is present. Of course, without the deep front chin spoiler, faux rear air diffuser, deck spoiler and bold five-spoke wheels the production car looks rather tame. The big fender bulges, however, escaped from the cutting room floor in tact. We've said in the past based on our viewing of the Avenger Concept that we liked the styling more than the Chrsyler Sebring, and that's still our stand, however those fender flares are going to make most wheel/tire combos look puny and the upkink in the window line near the C-pillar looks like it will create a sense of claustraphobia for rear seat passengers. We're interested your thoughts on this preproduction version of the Avenger, so drop in the comments.Check out a rear shot after the jump.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
UPDATE: Sorry for taking the full pics down, but it turns out they were shot by a Brenda Priddy and Co. photog and in the interest of fair play in the world of copyrights, we'll defer to you to WorldCarFans to see four full-size photos of the prepro Avenger, the rights to which the site purchased to display.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GDUB 3:03PM (12/11/2006)
Its like that ugly cousin no one asked to Prom.
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Michael Karesh 3:02PM (12/11/2006)
I don't see much tact in this design, but that might be just me.
I do think you're right, John, that having most Avengers look like this one could blunt the impact of the RT trim. This car looks like someone took a Charger and turned it into a kid's toy.
Still, even with the tortured C-pillar it's much easier on the eyes than the Sebring.
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hydrogen_wv 3:12PM (12/11/2006)
I don't like it. It's small and boring... *yawn*
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Professor Porsche 3:06PM (12/11/2006)
Apparently the dude that designed the Charger or whatever they call them has ran out of ideas.
Foolish, non-functional design. High Schoolers may like it. Not mature adults.
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big jimmy 3:07PM (12/11/2006)
its a mini me of the Dodge charger, like the original Stratus was a mini Intreped. it sucks in base trim.
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Francis 3:10PM (12/11/2006)
When i first saw the picture of it, i thought it was the new version of the challenger with the wings on the dies, and the similar tail/front light. So if someone could help me understand qhy they had to come up with two same type of car ? Why didn't they give a try on something a little bit more inovative?
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poxtomod 3:13PM (12/11/2006)
The Charger design cue in the rear passenger shot is quite ugly. It may work on a retro Charger but not on this car. My advice to Chrysler is that you should look to make your cars more unique from other Chryslers, and not the same. Keep in mind a good auto portfolio will increase corporate saleability when Daimler dumps your bankrupt ass on the curb.
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Mike 3:11PM (12/11/2006)
Except for a few details I like it. The one that REALLY gets to me is the rear fascia. You can see the upkick from the back of teh rear fenderwell to the bumper, but the bottom of the bumper is too high. It completely exposes the rear storage compartment. I think that is simply unacceptable by todays standards... hell, my 1994 Spirit, my 1995 Cirrus, and my 2004 stratus all do a better job of concealing the mechanicals.
My '04 has 17 inch alloys and they look puny as a result of the fender arches... you hit the nail on the head there. I would be willing to bet that 17's are pictured on the vehicle above.
I think overall the design makes this car look a lot smaller than it actually is, and I am looking foreward to taking one for a spin.
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Eric B 3:13PM (12/11/2006)
This design has absolutely no legs: they typical Dodge fanboy will rush out and get it, then after they've sold about 43, the market will be saturated and it will quietly disappear. You'd think DaimlerChrysler would have learned from the two Neon generations and the last Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze debacle...
Forget GM deathwatches, start a Chrysler one -- NOW!!
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Fazzster 3:13PM (12/11/2006)
I think this is going to be a very big loser.
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ruggels 3:16PM (12/11/2006)
cool, now we know the charger design doesn't work on a smaller scale, thank goodness this is only a design study. oh. wait. nm. it's just sad really, I've finally warmed up to the charger (especially in black) and this comes along to rape/dilute the design. I understand VW grabbed the guy who green lighted the 300M etc, but really, how'd this make it to the retail stage. It's about as convincing as the MK1 cayenne in terms of taking design language from one car to another who's size does not flatter it at all. :(. I guess the target market is rental firms right? given americans are buying japanese cars in this segment in ever increasing droves.
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emor8t 3:20PM (12/11/2006)
YACLC?
Yet another charger like concept?
DC = the new GM.
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All American Dude 3:24PM (12/11/2006)
great...another cheap, cruddy, and quite ugly U.S. car I'll be forced to drive as a rental when I go on business trips...things like this are an embarrassment to the U.S. auto industry :(
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threethreezero 3:41PM (12/11/2006)
I don't know how to respond except to lower my face in my hand and shake my head.
I really wonder if designers/decision-makers ever read responses to the cars on these blogs.
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Brian 3:27PM (12/11/2006)
I wonder why they are in financial trouble? Oh wait, now I remember...
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Simon Miller 3:29PM (12/11/2006)
Yuk! Could they make it any uglier? Why would anyone buy that? That grille might work on a truck but on a mid-size car it just looks ungainly, old fashioned and stupid. Ditto the rear window. What's with all these nostalgic, retro cues being added to supposedly modern cars? Doesn't anyone in the US have any original ideas? Remember it didn't work for Jaguar. I'm afraid Chrysler is in danger of slipping into dire financial straights unless they can get a fresh design direction.
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Ron 3:36PM (12/11/2006)
Two words: No thanks...
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Adam 3:40PM (12/11/2006)
Hopefully there'll be a mid-life refresh for next year.
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Sgt. Hulka 3:37PM (12/11/2006)
It just looks heavy.
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Robert 4:00PM (12/11/2006)
It does look like a mini Dodge Charger. I like the Charger, but couldn't they find a new look for this vehicle?
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