2015 SRT Barracuda could be a Mustang killer
By Denis Flierl G+ Fri, 09/21/2012 - 12:55
n/a
The SRT Barracuda is reported to be on its way as a 2015 model, but there is new information from Car and Driver, that the new musclecar could be replacing the Dodge Challenger. It was thought that the two cars from Chrysler could co-exist in the lineup, but that may not be the case. The decision to drop the Challenger won’t be based on just sales alone, but will more likely the result of meeting the ever-tightening CAFE standards. The car is just too big and may get axed from the lineup.
The 2015 SRT Barracuda will be much smaller than the current Dodge Challenger. And it’s likely that Chrysler is looking at the new global 2015 Ford Mustang, and looking for a model in their lineup that will be able to compete with the new ponycar. With fuel-economy an issue, and the fact that both the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro will be getting four-cylinder versions, Chrysler now owned by Fiat, needs to take a serious look at the global market.
C & D is reporting that Fiat has been looking for a rear-drive platform for use by their Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and possibly Maserati holdings. They have been eyeing Chrysler to help them develop a new platform and it looks like the 2015 Barracuda will be “its first fruit.”
Look for the 2015 SRT Barracuda to be six-inches shorter in wheelbase and close to eight inches shorter in overall length. Rear track and overall width are reported to be also shrinking by two inches. And the new Cuda will weight up to 300 pounds less than the heavier Challenger. The suspension will look a lot more like the new global Mustang with the front suspension getting a strut setup; the rear suspension will be multilink, with new geometry.
The new 2015 SRT Cuda’s will also offer a number of engine choices to possibly compete with the new 2015 Mustang. The base model could get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder from the Dodge Dart, possibly with forced induction. There could also be an award-winning Pentastar V6 offering with direct-injection used in the new Barracuda. And the SRT Cuda would have to be motivated by a Hemi V8, but it’s unsure if both the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 will be offered.
It will be interesting to see if Fiat has plans to take the new 2015 SRT Barracuda overseas to compete globally with the 2015 Ford Mustang. Even if they don’t, it will surely be a big hit here in the U.S.
Source: Car and Driver
Comments
"Possibly" sounds like it is
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/25/2012 - 04:48.
"Possibly" sounds like it is going to be just another "me too" instead of real innovation. At 300 less pounds it would still be considerably heavier than the current Mustang. The new 2015 Mustang is expected to be relieved of more than 300lbs than it's present counterpart. Ford seems to be innovating and all "Fiodge" and "GM-Government Motors" can do is just try to keep up. The best answer that they seem to come up with is dropping in overbloated powerplants that can kill gas better than it can do anything else, but hey it's a Hemi and that is all some people care about.
Forget Mustang Killer, call it what is, Gasoline Killer.
The barracuda will always be
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/23/2013 - 16:28.
The barracuda will always be known as a mustang killer because of it's past. A 318, 340, and 360 will kick the shit out of any 302 or 351 you put up against it thanks.
You can call it an
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 13:43.
You can call it an "overbloated" powerplant all you want. Naturally Aspirated, GMs have usually made more horsepower that Rustangs. When GM dropped the Camaro and Firebird, Ford continued to try to compete their Mustang against the Corvette, and were embarrassed time after time. Mustangs are good cars for the masses, but are definitely not a "jack of all trade". Besides, those "overbloated engines also sound better. Ford has JUST RECENTLY managed to catch up in performance with my 2006 GTO. I will happily take my 6.0 over your 5.0. Some of us buy our cars without regard to gas mileage. You cannot have a high performance car AND 38 MPG.
Should be interesting to see
Submitted by Cuda Chat (not verified) on Fri, 11/02/2012 - 08:15.
Should be interesting to see how the muscle car battle evolves.
Initially I think the big three were focused more on eliciting that
vintage muscle car spirit, and as it gets more and more competitive,
they're starting to look and act more and more like sports cars.