Everybody loves a Dodge Challenger right? Well, not really. See, you and I love it. The massive, unruly Hemi, the old-school styling, the straighline performance are all awesome enough to haunt your drunkest of dreams. But for some people, especially those in European countries, the size and thirst of Dodge’s muscle boat present a problem. It’s just too huge to import to Europe. The fuel economy doesn’t play well with Europe’s CAFE standards (who would?), and the big barge isn’t quite right for cultures revolving around smaller cars.

Admittedly, too, the Challenger has some shortcomings. Its weight doesn’t do it any favors in the corners. It’s certainly a muscle car, but a sports car? It doesn’t quite measure up to the handling prowess of the Camaro or Mustang, even with the latter’s LRA. Heck, the first year of the release didn’t even offer a manual transmission. It seemed more a muscle cruiser, in a segment of its own.

Thankfully, the new, Italian-owned Chrysler has a plan to possibly rectify these problems: the Barracuda.  Now, when we first heard of this, we thought it would certainly be another retro-tribute, something akin to those Camaro-based neo-Firebirds, only from the factory. It would definitely ride on the trusty LX platform like the Chrysler 300 and the Dodges Magnum, Charger, and Challenger. Now, however, we’re hearing reports from Car and Driver that the new Barracuda, due out in 2015, will be pinned to an all-new chassis – to be shared with some Italian brands.

Chrysler’s character has changed dramatically since their donning of an Italian suit. The new Viper has Italian styling, the engines are all getting turbos, and now cars are being designed to be sold in Europe. Rumor has it the Barracuda will share a platform with an Alfa Romeo sports coupe and convertible, a Lancia sedan, an Alfa sedan, and possibly even a Maserati.

This new platform, yet unnamed, will replace the Challenger, and will be considerably smaller and lighter than the LX chassis. The Maserati sedan, for example, would be in the same segment as the BMW 3 Series. And let’s not forget those pesky fuel economy standards that so plague any attempt to skip a Challenger across the pond. The drop in size and weight will allow for smaller engine options to appease Europe’s be-wigged lawmakers.

Don’t lose your mind, here. The big Hemi probably isn’t going anywhere, and will be an option on the 2015 Barracuda. As a brand, Hemi is one of the biggest, most memorable aspects of the Chrysler name, so it will likely stick around. There will also probably be a V6 version, and most intriguingly, a turbo 4.

That seems a little out of character for a Chrysler muscle car, but perhaps it shouldn’t be. Ford has already announced the EcoBoost Mustang, and a turbocharged Camaro has been churning through the rumor mill for years.  Chrysler will need a lightweight sipper to counter their efforts.

So it’s a mini-Cuda with a passport, and the concept renders look stunning, if a steep departure from the neo-retro styling of the last few years. We think it should be brilliant, as it seems modern muscle cars have gotten so bloated anyway. A slimming of weight and waistline without trimming much power will be welcome.

But what do you think? Does this Challenger trade-in have potential, or has Chrysler just nuked their  muscle car division?

Andy Sheehan is a staff writer for StreetsideAuto.com and finally got his car started by taking things apart and putting them back together.