The Charger Ute From Smyth Performance Has Arrived (Possibly?)

"Adam Stickland" (goldman27) 01/27/2017 at 07:55 • Filed to: None

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Hey guys, so recently saw an article regarding The Chicken Tax you guys have in the US, and I remembered about Smyth Performance’s old VW Golf/Jetta Ute kit. That got me remembering about his project for a Charger Ute, and on the website he says that it was slated for a December 2016 release. There’s also a refundable deposit you can put down for one if you feel so inclined.

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Not sure if it’s out yet, but I felt like reminding you guys there’s other ways to get a Ute. :P

pip bip - choose Corrour > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 08:06

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GIB!!

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 08:08

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Did they start with an actual charger or chop the roof off a magnum?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/27/2017 at 08:16

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sedan it seems.

vondon302 > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 08:19

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This I like!

Adam Stickland > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 01/27/2017 at 08:37

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They actually took the Charger sedan, and just chopped up the backend and added Magnum tail lights it seems. Either way though, checking on his FB page, says that the VW Kits won’t be in production again until the summer, because they are going to start producing the Charger kits. :)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 08:45

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But, those are Caravan lights.

Nick Has an Exocet > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 08:55

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I wonder what the final weight of this is. A Charger with all the weight removed from the rear wheels seems like it would be awesome in my brain.

shop-teacher > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 09:17

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Now this is a Ute I could get down with. The Jetta version doesn’t interest me.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 01/27/2017 at 09:24

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Yup and the same Ford Ranger tailgating as the MK4 VW kit

Justin Hughes > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 09:26

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Read all about it here and here . Current offerings are for the Mk4 and Mk5 Jetta, and the Charger kit is about to come out. Future plans include the Audi B5 platform, the BMW E39, and some form of Subaru.

Also, I just bought this , for the express purpose of a Ute conversion. It’ll be a build series on Right Foot Down this summer!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/27/2017 at 09:28

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Which has Sport Trac lights.

Justin Hughes > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/27/2017 at 09:28

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I’m not sure if it’s exactly the same parts, but definitely the same idea. The Jetta uses a Ranger flareside tailgate, which is even narrower than the standard Ranger. The Charger is a wider car, so I’m sure they made some other off-the-shelf tailgate fit.

Justin Hughes > shop-teacher 01/27/2017 at 09:29

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I asked one of the Smyth engineers why the Charger. His answer, and I quote: “Uhhh... ‘Murican V8...”

shop-teacher > Justin Hughes 01/27/2017 at 10:04

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Hard to argue that logic.

Adam Stickland > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 01/27/2017 at 14:40

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D’oh! You’re right. The Magnums do look similar though. :P

Adam Stickland > shop-teacher 01/27/2017 at 14:42

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Agreed. Now we need someone to test the capabilities of a Hemi/SRT8 Charger Ute with that of a Vauxhall Maloo/HSV Commodore Ute/Ford Falcon Ute. :D

Adam Stickland > Justin Hughes 01/27/2017 at 14:53

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Thanks for covering more about it, Justin! I would’ve put more info down earlier, but didn’t have time. Sweet to hear ya got to try the VW Ute in Rallycross, too! :)

I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what future Ute kits Smyth will put together. Hoping for some sort of Toyota-based Ute kit in the future. :P

Justin Hughes > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 14:57

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I tried to convince them to do a BRZ/FR-S/86 ute. :) But it needs to be based on a 4-door car to get a big enough truck bed.

Adam Stickland > Justin Hughes 01/27/2017 at 15:09

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Call me crazy, but what about a Camry/Corolla/Avalon Ute? Heck, the E120 chassis out of the Corolla could be a decent small truck, though it would need some work to stiffen the rear to handle the weight well. Perhaps the 2002-2008 Matrix instead? :P

shop-teacher > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 15:25

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That would be epic!

Justin Hughes > Adam Stickland 01/27/2017 at 15:48

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They’re trying to stick with cars an enthusiast would enjoy, but I think there’s a case to be made for a cheap and common as dirt car like you describe. The Mk4 Jetta fills that role nicely for well, but the supply of Mk4s in halfway decent condition at low prices isn’t going to last forever.