Next-Gen Dodge Challenger Will Be an EV

A little over a year ago, muscle car automaker Dodge announced its plans for eMuscle. Set up with its own name and its own “Fratzog” logo, the electric lineup will be paving the way for the next generation of vehicles. The concept has earned Dodge a lot of attention from competitors – how will the automaker take the power of a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and turn it into an electric vehicle (EV)? New information has popped up about the future of these high-performance models and their place in the new eMuscle lineup.

According to an email exchange between Motor1 and an unnamed Dodge representative, there was talk about a certain rumor. The Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger are known for their extensive powertrain options, with the likes of the 392 SRT HEMI, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Super Stock. After Stellantis announced its Dare Forward 2030 business strategy for the rest of the decade, it has become clear that all automakers are making the shift to electrified lineups. Dodge has always been thought to be the last of the brands to make the change, and now it’s official. Rumors about the HEMI V8 engine returning for the next generation of the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger were cleared up.

“The story is incorrect. The Hemi in that platform [is] going away. The next generation will be BEV.” – Dodge Representative

So, there we have it. Dodge is definitely discontinuing its long powertrain lineup and going at full speed into an electrified lineup with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Ram Trucks have announced an all-electric Ram 1500, and the first all-electric Jeep SUV is also on the way. Over the years, information about a Dodge Charger plug-in hybrid floated around a bit, and at one point, a Dodge Durango Plug-in Hybrid. Instead, before releasing the first all-electric Dodge vehicle, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis had plenty to say about an upcoming plug-in hybrid SUV by Dodge, possibly under the Dodge Hornet nameplate.

The announcement of the Dodge Hornet will give us a look at what an electrified Dodge vehicle can do, with release due for 2023. When Dodge first announced eMuscle and plans to release the first all-electric Dodge model in 2024, we knew a two- or four-door sedan or coupe would be the direction the automaker would go, but we didn’t think the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger were going to be completely replaced. We were under the impression that the Dodge eMuscle lineup would be produced alongside the Challenger and Charger, with models sporting the powertrain options that do survive, even if they were what could presently be considered as mid-tier options.

Needless to say, this news is a little shocking. If the next generation of the Dodge Challenger and Charger will be in 2024, expect some sort of special addition of the two models in 2023 before we say goodbye to two legends of the auto industry. Before they go, you can still get behind the wheel of a new Dodge Challenger or a new Dodge Charger at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

Photo Source/Copyright: Dodge