[size=150]Pony Car Revival[/size]
The year is 1999. The stock market is booming, economic confidence is at an all-time high, and car sales are breaking all-time records. The market for pony cars in particular has seen formidable expansion. Ironic, considering in the not-too-distant past, both GM and Ford were considering FRONT-wheel drive replacements for their pony cars. That was then, this is now. Times are great, and they’re gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future. In terms of sporty products, Chrysler has nothing in their lineup to go up against cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro/Pontiac Firebird. Even their V8 engine lineup leaves a lot to be desired. Engineers are already hard at work building the new HEMI, but that won’t be available until 2002. 
Your task, as engineering manager for Chrysler is a rather simple one. Build a pony car, using Chrysler’s existing small-block “LA-series” V8, that is competitive both in terms of price and specifications.
Rumor has it there’s a group of managers who feel that the recent merger with Daimler-Benz will allow them to share platforms, saving the company millions of dollars. If you FAIL, “Project Crossfire” will be given the green light instead using recycled Mercedes SLK parts. Hardly a pony car even if the concept drawings are really nice. 
Restrictions:
[ul]
]Engine Block: V8 Crossplane/:m]
]Block Material: Iron/:m]
]Family Capacity: 101.6mm bore / 90.9mm stroke (4" bore / 3.578" stroke)/:m]
]Head and Valves: Pushrod/2valve/:m]
]Head Material: Iron/:m]
]Variant Capacity Bore: 92mm / 99.3mm / 101.6mm (3.622" / 3.909" / 4")/:m]
]Variant Capacity Stroke: 84.1mm / 90.9mm (3.311" / 3.578")/:m]
]Naturally-Aspirated/:m]
]Single Point EFI or Multi Point EFI/:m]
]Premium Unleaded Fuel/:m]
]No Long-Tubular or Race-Tubular Headers/:m]
]No undertray/:m][/ul]
NOTE: As chief engineer of “Project Challenger”, you can choose from any combination of the available bores and strokes to optimize your setup. Apart from that, management has given you a fairly large budget with which to work with, so you’re free to use any body you want. As long as you beat the following numbers, the car will be considered a success and “Project Crossfire” will be put on indefinite hold:
Target Parameters:
[ul]
]Drivability >= 50/:m]
]Sportiness >= 45/:m]
]Comfort >= 30/:m]
]Safety >= 60/:m]
]Car Reliability >= 70/:m]
]Fuel economy better than 18.5mpg US / 12.71 L/100km/:m]
]Price <= $12,000 <<< edit: Changed price restriction to make things a little easier… was $11,000, now $12,000./:m][/ul]
Good luck, ayomide!
OPTIONAL: Try to build the car for under $11,000.
Your task, as engineering manager for Chrysler is a rather simple one. Build a pony car, using Chrysler’s existing small-block “LA-series” V8, that is competitive both in terms of price and specifications.
