Dodge challenger 1978-1983 second gen

The Challenger name was revived in late 1977 for the 1978 model year for a version of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe. It was known overseas as the Mitsubishi Sapporo/Scorpion and sold through Dodge dealers as a captive import, originally as the "Dodge Colt Challenger".[19] It was identical except in color and minor trim to the Plymouth Sapporo with the Dodge version emphasizing sportiness, with bright colors and tape stripes, while the Plymouth emphasized luxury, with more subdued trim. Both the Sapporo and Challenger were completely redesigned in 1981 with an entirely new body that was longer, taller, and wider. The 1981–1983 body had more foot and head room, a larger trunk, and more sound-proofing for a more comfortable ride.[20] Both cars were sold until 1983, when they were replaced by the Conquest using the same rear-wheel-drive platform through 1989, and in 1984 by the front-wheel-drive Laser and Daytona.

The car retained the frameless hardtop styling of the old Challenger, but had smaller engines, a 1.6 L inline-four and a 2.6 L inline-four instead of the slant-6 and V8 engines of the old Challenger, and was a long way off in performance from its namesake. The engines were rated at power outputs of 77–105 hp (57–78 kW). Nevertheless, it acquired a reputation as a reasonably brisk performer in its class when equipped with the available 2.6 L "hemi" engine.[19] Four-cylinder engines of this size had not usually been built due to inherent vibration, but Mitsubishi pioneered the use of balance shafts to help dampen this effect, and the Challenger was one of the first vehicles to bring this technology to the American market; it has since been licensed to many other manufacturers.