It seems the end of an era is drawing near at Dodge. The carmaker whose legendary muscle car, the Dodge Charger, helped define a particularly American brand of vehicle has announced 2024 will mark the end of this legendary sports car line.
Reengineering a Legend
Observers have speculated for some time that Stellantis’ takeover of Dodge heralded a pruning of Dodge’s brand lineup. In this era of eco-conscious auto design, it has been determined that the powerful V-6 and V-8 vehicles, the Charger and Challenger, would have to be discontinued.
Stellantis, like many automakers, is emphasizing a move toward electric vehicles, which means nothing less than a complete reengineering of Dodge’s traditional gas-guzzling models. To that end, Dodge has announced the Charger/Challenger line will be replaced by three new electric vehicles, including a re-do of its traditional e-muscle car design, to be followed by a hybrid model and, later, a third electric vehicle.
New EV Platform and More
Stellantis’ STLA EV platform will provide the basis for Dodge’s new electric cars which, reportedly will include a full-charge range of up to 500 miles. The hybrid version will hit the production line by the end of 2022, though full details as to its engine and powertrain have yet to be divulged.
Change of Course Rationale
Dodge’s rear-wheel-drive LX models simply no longer fit the company’s move toward a cleaner, more efficient engine with a longer-range driving capacity. It was a predictable move for an automaker with a transformative, environmentally friendly vision for the future of its automotive sector.
It should be noted that reengineering of the Dodge sports car line is also a move to ensure compliance with Federal environmental regulations. As such, the powerful old Hellfire engine simply no longer fits the automaker’s new “green” design ethos.
eMuscle
Those mourning the passing of a sports car icon can take comfort in Dodge’s determination to retain as much of the feel and spirit of the old V-8 power and speed. According to Car and Driver, Dodge will officially launch the electric version of the Charger/Challenger line in 2024 as “eMuscle,” with an estimated starting price of $50,000.
Based on the preliminary video, it appears the new e-version may feature a four-wheel drive and retain the old version’s basic exterior look.
Stellantis’ EV platform will be an important factor in the new design, especially given the challenge of electrifying one of the biggest, baddest beasts of the muscle car genre. Stellantis has reached a $1.3 billion deal with Canada’s Brampton assembly facility to manufacture the three new electric models.
Guesswork
Speculation concerning number of trims and other branding details is mere guesswork, though Dodge will shed more light on the new eMuscle line as the launch date draws near.
There’s a lot to look forward to – according to autoevolution.com, the new electric Dodge Charger may feature an eight-speed transmission. In any event, it seems likely that Dodge won’t hold back on horsepower, given that its competitors are also busy reworking their own vision of the traditional American sports car.
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