The Deaths of the Dodge Charger and Challenger Have Just Been Made Official

Alex Healey
· 3 min read
In what is sure to outrage fans of the American muscle car, Dodge’s CEO has announced that the Charger and Challenger—as we know them—will be phased out over the next three years.
Dodge’s brand is synonymous with the roar you get from a big V8 engine, but these iconic vehicles are going to be revamped as electric cars, signifying an abrupt change of direction for the American carmaker.
So what is going to happen to Dodge’s beloved cars, and what can we expect from the
new cars
that are going to replace them? Read on to find out.
The Charger and Challenger have been staple cars for Dodge.

What has Dodge said about the Charger and Challenger?

Kelley Blue Book
quotes Dodge Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who was asked about the future of the Charger sedan and Challenger muscle car. He said “These cars that you know today will go out of production by the time we get to 2024,” and will be replaced by electric versions.
The news has upset some fans, with some going so far as to send Kuniskis death threats following the announcement.
In an effort to appease Dodge’s legacy customers, the company is promising to “feed the beast” for the next two years. This includes the “Never Lift” campaign, which will include a line of specialized performance parts to add more power to existing Dodge vehicles.
All good things must come to an end, but replacing these legendary American cars will be tough. Kuniskis is hoping to fill the void with what he calls “electric muscle” and Dodge’s first EV muscle car will make its public debut early next year.
The company has also announced a plug-in hybrid Dodge, and a mystery third vehicle, which will be revealed at the tail end of 2022.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

A natural progression for the Dodge brand

MORE: Dodge Wants to "Tear Up the Streets, Not the Planet" with This New Electric Muscle Car
Nobody wants to be the last automaker pushing gas-powered vehicles while the rest of the industry has moved on, so while Dodge will have to prove that EVs can replicate the power and performance of its classic cars, the announcement is not that surprising.
Dodge’s decision to rebrand its two most iconic vehicles is an attempt to capitalize on name recognition, and jumpstart their foray into electric sports cars.
However, while the Charger and Challenger EVs will be influenced by their namesakes, they are unlikely to be all that similar.

Will Dodge follow a similar formula to Ford for its EVs?

For an idea of what we can expect, look at the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric car. It is “inspired” by the original Mustang, but you might not have known it if not for the name.
The Mach-E is a four-door crossover, while the original Mustang was only offered as a coupe and convertible. They have a few similar design features, including swept-back headlights and a long hood, but each model has its own clear identity.
This is likely to be the formula for Dodge to follow with the electric Charger and Challenger. Reference the classics, but attempt to write a new chapter in the company’s history (and hope the haters don’t stay mad for long).

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings