Just over a year ago, Dodge teased an all-electric muscle car that looked very much like a modern version of an old, 1960s Charger, a somewhat shocking development given the brand’s commitment to old fashioned V8-powered machines. Then, perhaps unsurprisingly, a report surfaced a few months later claiming that Stellantis was set to discontinue both if its Ford Mustang rivals – the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger – by 2024, though there was a bit of uncertainty at the time regarding whether or not those nameplates would live on via some sort of all-electric models. Now, with the all-new, next-generation S650 Ford Mustang set to debut this September, MotorTrend is reporting that both the Dodge Challenger and Charger will live on, after all.
Both of these muscle cars won’t transform into some sort of EV-only offerings, either – both will reportedly launch with Hemi V8 power for Hellcat models, though also with the new Hurricane inline-six engine powering lesser variants. MotorTrend believes that the I-6 models will offer between 400-500 horsepower, while the V8 versions will produce upwards of 800 raging ponies and come mated to an eight-speed automatic. Both will ride on a brand new front-engine, rear-wheel drive platform (all-wheel drive is also likely as an option) that will also possibly underpin a new Chrysler 300 and/or Maserati Quattroporte as well.
Both models will reportedly weigh quite a bit less than the current iterations, with much improved handling to boot. As far as styling goes, nothing has been finalized yet, though MT notes that given the long-lasting success of the current models, we shouldn’t expect any radical changes in that department.
Ultimately, this decision doesn’t come as a huge surprise by any means, given the fact that both the Charger and Challenger – which ride on a platform dating back to 2002 – have sold more than two million units combined as of the end of 2021. Thus, it seems as if the next-gen Mustang won’t have the modern muscle car market all to itself, after all, though it’s unclear when, exactly, the new Dodge duo will ultimately launch.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
YES!!! Thank you Dodge! There is a bit of a bright future in this industry after all.
Glad they came to their senses
And Dodge isn’t making customers wait a year or more to build vehicles!
Well when those are the only two vehicles you produce aside from the van, things are much easier to work around.
No van, just the Challenger/Charger and the Durango. The minivan was taken out back a while ago.
Their next product will be a CUV PHEV similar in size to Escape.
I got my 22 Mustang GT this week. It was exactly four months from the date the order was placed to delivery at the dealership and it was built exactly as I ordered it, no deletions. I’m happy
Congratulations on your choice of muscle car.
Really? So why is the Maverick outselling every Dodge so far in 2022?
No need to wait if nobody wants it.
Nobody wants it? 🤣 Check again. In 2021 Challenger outsold the mustang. Ford is focused on producing EVs, laying off 8k workers on ICE production, and limiting supply to move to a non-negotiable price.
Also your statement is incorrect. Maverick isn’t outselling every Dodge vehicle. 34k Mavericks sold through May 2022 compared with 38k Chargers.
My older daughter’s next birthday present!
Thank you for keeping the V-8s alive!
Finally, some good news.
A 450 HP I-6 AWD Charger coupe with lines reminiscent of the 1968-69 version. That’s a car I could buy.
I think bumbling biden’s battery plan that’s been shoved down our throats is going to fail as soon as he’s out of office (not soon enough). More and more people are realizing that batteries, the grid, recycling and a TOTAL inability to put out an electric car fire by ANY fire department, means this “technology” isn’t ready, nor is this country/world to switch over!! At some point it will, major leaps have indeed happened!! But when the pittance of electric cars in certain areas are told not to plug in…
Agree 100% At this stage in the game electric isn’t feasible!
You came here to bash Biden — and for no other reason. Go back to Newsmax, OAN, and your other cult sources.
I don’t know why some people just can’t grab truth to power when it is in fact the democrats who are protecting democracy. The BIG Lie they would rather believe. SIGNED BY, An Independent and independent thinker…
Go back into your cave ….. kudos to Dodge for keeping the high octane fans engaged.
😆😁😉🤣😅🤩😛😝😜
Man, you should be a stand up comedian, you’re funny dude!!😄😝😝😛🤣🤣
you’re the same person in 1920 yelling “get a horse”. On a per capita basis ICE vehicles have fires more than EVs’ do. Just a fact you won’t find on FOX.
This is great news – if it is true. The MT story strikes me as being in the rumor, speculation and conjecture category. Any follow-up stories at this point are merely based on the MT story. When there’s official confirmation by a named, authoritative source at Stellantis, and we see test mules in camo, it’ll be time to get excited.
WOW! there is potential for an updated Chrysler 300! Now I can unload my 2018 Continental on something world class (and more upscale) being Lincolns current lineup has nothing I want. I really want a 4-seater Thunderbird but again, nothing in the lineup.
Suggestion to Lincoln: Why not build a proper LS off the S650 with a roomy backseat in 4-door and convertible. GIVE US WHAT WE WANT FOR A CHANGE. Then I might be tempted to stay with Lincoln. Ford does not have a clue of what people want. People who drive SUV’s/ CUV’s show that they are boring, unimaginative people.
On Lincoln’s worst day, Chrysler was never more world class or upscale.
Lincoln’s worst day hasn’t arrived yet, under the current Lincoln management, expect sales to continue to decline.
😁😆😅😅🤣🤣😝😜😛
Who’s that braggin’ about and on Chrysler???
Don’t show your faces!!😁😉🤣🤣🤯🙈🙈
You are making too much sense, the current Lincoln management is so clueless, with sales declining and prices increasing, Ford might as well end the brand like they did to Mercury.
Hey Dude, I hope you’re not up here braggin’ or talkin’ smack about Chrysler??🤣😅😅
Look how many times Chrysler has been sold off, or been acquired by other companies!!😁😄😄😛😝😜
Ford has never been sold or fallen under another company’s management or ownership, more over, has never had to be bailed out by the government, nor has ever taken any bail out money.
So, when you come up here talking that kind of smack and noise just remember that!! What do you think happened to Plymouth??? 😁😆😅😅🤣🤣😛😝😜
I’ve stop counting the number of companies who’ve owned and managed Chrysler…
So Shut Up!!
Well said Keith, they are the facts.
You got to be mighty low in morale, confidence and in the poles to an American Automobile Company that’s been owned and run by Fiat!! 😆😅🤣🤣🤔😜😄
Dude you may as well be a one legged Pirate cause you don’t have a leg to stand on!!😁🤣😅😅🤔😝😜🤠😎
Lol at all these comments. The story is bogus. Dodge replied to Motor1 and called it out as pure fantasy. Get ready for a Charger with a charger.
As I noted in my post yesterday, the story seemed little more than rumor and speculation. Probably more than a bit of wishful thinking, too. Too bad – that was something I would have seriously considered, unlike most anything else in the new car market these days.
As a proud owner of a 2018 Dodge Charger GT Plus, (my first Dodge product) this news is so great, I just hope it’s real and not a dream.
Wow… so there’s going to be a new ICE Charger with improved handling and reduced curb weight. I was so sad to hear that there won’t be a 7th gen Camaro, but at least we have a couple of other options. Bitter sweet situation. What I loved about the 6th gen Camaro was the amazing handling/steering. If the new Mustang and Charger can compete with the 6th gen Camaro in the handling department, it would be a very tempting option.
Dude, the Mustang doesn’t just competes with the Camaro, it beats it hands down. The Camaro needs to go on a weight reduction diet, and furthermore its high center of gravity needs to be revamped and redesigned also, the car is too tall, and therefore is top heavy. Then there’s the forever complaint of Camaros is visibility, you can’t see out of the damn thing.. Put both the Mustang and Camaro side by side and see which has the lower stance and lowest center of gravity, which is going to contribute to better handling on the track.