The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge

Dodge

Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....

 division of Chrysler

Chrysler

Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....

.

The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car

Pony car

Pony car is an American class of automobile launched and inspired by the Ford Mustang in 1964. The term describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a sporty or performance-oriented image.-Origins of the breed:...

 built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform

Chrysler E platform

Chrysler used the designation E platform for two separate car ranges.One was used for rear wheel drive cars in the 1970s:* 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger, wheelbase* 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda, wheelbase...

 and sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda

Plymouth Barracuda

The Plymouth Barracuda is a 2-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964-1974.The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966.The...

. The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered

Badge engineering

Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...

 Mitsubishi Galant Lambda

Mitsubishi Galant Lambda

The Mitsubishi Galant Λ is a two-door hardtop coupé built by Mitsubishi Motors from 1976 to 1984. From 1978 it was exported under various names; as the Mitsubishi Sapporo in Europe and South America , the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Sapporo in North America and Puerto Rico, and the Chrysler...

. The third, and current generation, was introduced in 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the reintroduced fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
The first car that carried the Challenger name was the mid-year introduction of a limited edition 1959 Dodge Silver Challenger.