Zac Quinn 
Production for the current generation Dodge Charger and Challenger is set to end in just a couple of weeks. With their disappearance, Dodge has a couple of epic creations in the works, from the upcoming electric Charger Daytona utilizing the Banshee electric powertrain, to the Hurricane I6 under the hood producing over 500 horsepower. This has been visually confirmed by a leaked photo of a next-gen Dodge Charger body spotted on the floor of the Stellantis Windsor Assembly plant. And while the futuristic Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept gave us a clue to what we can expect when it comes to the next-generation muscle car’s design, it’s all been guesswork when it comes to the real thing. Until now.
Next-Gen Dodge Charger Production Design Teased: But Is It Electric?
Dodge recently launched a new Christmas ad, which shows the production version of the next-gen Charger, and it looks darn near like the Banshee concept car, save for a set of headlights. To us, it’s giving 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Interestingly, Stellantis continues to have rights to the Cuda trademark, as MC&T previously reported. Another detail from the image is that we can see all four tires kicking up snow in the image, hinting at all-wheel-drive.
The reveal in question is showcased on one of the pages of “Santa’s Naughty List: An Origin Story,” where an illustration of what could very well be the next-gen Charger appears briefly before the book opens up to some epic muscle car fun in the snow. The design isn’t far off from last year’s concept despite some noticeable changes.
This next-gen Charger has a single round headlight at each end of the grille, in contrast to the thin light bar surrounding the rectangular grille on the concept, which was retrofuturistic, but perhaps too exotic for the price point Dodge is targeting. The door handles, side mirrors, and window pillars are also more traditional. However the overall surfacing and body lines definitely match the concept. This version of the Charger retains the two-door body, which is expected to arrive first, followed by a four-door version. It’s unclear what will happen to the Challenger nameplate at this time, considering the available information. The tall greenhouse and liftback hatch found on the concept also remain, which fits the plan to step away from a traditional trunk as customers seek more utility from their vehicles.
As for what’s under the hood, it’s either one of two things: a variant of the new Hurricane engine, or no engine at all. That said, a next-generation Hemi V8 is rumored to be in the cards, and the way things are shaping for electric vehicles (low take rates), it’s possible that a next-gen V8 Dodge muscle car could debut in the not-too-distant future.
When the new Charger flashes on the screen, the text at the bottom states that the car will be available in late 2024, which means the production model will likely be revealed within the next few months, which is exciting. And Dodge is no stranger to easter eggs. Remember when they teased the 2023 end of the existing Charger and Challenger a few years back? We definitely remember.
For now, let’s try to enjoy the last few weeks we have with the Hemi-powered Dodge Charger and Challenger before they leave the stage.
