Chrysler's Bob ( Hammer Time) Nardelli is foaming at the mouth about the new Challenger muscle car, revealed in Chicago today, with the potential it has to sway buyers into Dodge showrooms and boost sales of the automaker's other vehicles.





"It couldn't come at a better time in our business cycle," the Chrysler CEO said at a press conference today at the Auto Show, unveiling the production version.

In April, Chrysler will begin selling the 1970s-style, 425-hp coupe - equipped with a Hemi V-8 engine.

While much has leaked out about the highly anticipated muscle car, Jim Press, Chrysler's vice chairman and co-president, made some numbers official. Challenger will bolt from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, giving better performance than a Porsche 911 Carrera, he said.

It has a top speed of 170 mph. And its giant Brembo disc brakes will haul the car to a stop from 60 mph in just 110 feet.

Rest be assured that Mopar will attach itself to this car like a parasite, offering a full complement of high performance parts.

This should be a major winner for the downtrodden Chrysler.