Will Dodge Ever Stop Making ICE Models?

2024 is turning into an interesting year for muscle car automaker Dodge. This was the year the true power of eMuscle would be unleashed. With the initial transition from plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology to a fully electric car, Dodge revealed the all-new, all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack to the world. Able to deliver 670 horsepower and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, this is the kind of eMuscle we expect from Dodge. The only confusion is, the next-gen 2025 Dodge Charger also came out with a multi-power gasoline engine. With all the last calls lately, it doesn’t seem like the automaker is ready to let go of the past.

Last Calls

In August 2022, Dodge announced its “Last Call” special edition models of the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, along with an expansion of the SRT Jailbreak model project. A total of seven last call models were produced, consisting of the Challenger Shakedown R/T Scat Pack, Challenger Shakedown R/T Scat Pack Widebody, 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee, third and fourth “Last Call” as the 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger Scat Pack Swingers, the 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona as the fifth “Last Call” model, and the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost was the sixth. Bringing back another legend, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was the final last call. Or so we thought.

In July 2023, Dodge announced its “Last Call” for HEMI®-powered Dodge Challenger and Charger models. Shrinking the long list of powertrains down for eMuscle, Dodge needs to cut off some of its stronger engines. That includes the 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI® optimized with VVT that powers the R/T trim, 392 V8 SRT® HEMI® engine of the R/T Scat Pack and R/T Scat Pack Widebody, and obviously the Supercharged 6.2liter HEMI® V8 of the SRT Hellcat models and the Supercharged 6.2L High-Output HEMI® V8 engine of the Super Stock Dodge Challenger.

In January 2024, Dodge announced its “Last Call” for V8 Dodge Durango models. A V8-powered SUV sounds too good to be true, but Dodge is rolling out another “last call” lineup of special edition models for the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V8 Dodge Durango, able to generate 710-horsepower. A yearlong venture, it all started with the Dodge Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI, and more are expected soon. The ALCHEMi comes with many changes to spice things up, including Yellow SRT Brembo brakes and Black exhaust tips, honeycomb-textured dual exterior stripes with yellow-accent borders, 20-by-10-inch Satin Black forged SRT wheels, an SRT “392” logo embroidered on seatbacks, a leather and suede steering wheel featuring white LED SRT logo, and more.

The Dodge Hornet

Said to be the next step in Dodge eMuscle with electrified Dodge models, the Dodge Hornet is a perfect example of Dodge making the transition. First advertised as a plug-in hybrid model, Dodge first rolled out the internal combustion engine (ICE) model, the GT and GT Plus, powered by a 2.0L Hurricane4 Turbo engine. Later down the line, the R/T and R/T Plus models were released, powered by a 1.3-liter I4 Turbo PHEV engine, able to generate 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. We do commend the automaker for putting a PHEV powertrain on nameplates known for more performance.

Next-Gen Dodge Charger

When Dodge announced the next-gen Dodge Challenger would be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), we thought the Dodge Charger would go the same route. Not to overshadow the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT BEV, but the next-gen 2025 Dodge Charger with an ICE offers a multi-powertrain option. A popular strategy Dodge has introduced since talk of the SRT BEV started were Standard Output (S.O.) and High Output (H.O.) options for the powertrain. The Dodge Charger takes note of this with a 420-horsepower Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. equipped with a 3.0L Twin Turbo Hurricane S.O. engine and a Charger SIXPACK High Output H.O. powered by the 3.0L Twin Turbo Hurricane H.O. engine. Seems like the Charger is carving its own path.

We’re curious to see what the next-gen Dodge Challenger will be, but it doesn’t seem like the automaker is ready to stop producing ICE models anytime soon. Just in case the next-gen 2025 Dodge Charger is the last one, find a new Dodge Charger at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram today.