Update on the Next-Gen Dodge Charger Design
Several days ago, the automobile world learned that the upcoming launch of the new Dodge Charger is being pushed back yet again. Initially, in a five-year strategy announced by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the aim was to launch the car by 2018. Last year it was pushed back a year, and now we may not even see it until a few years into the next decade (2020-2030).
By then, most of us probably expected a whole new type of car, and not one with wheels. However, turbine engines aren’t coming to production automobiles anytime soon, and if anything, autonomous cars manufactured by Google are starting to pop up. Moreover, when the design for the upcoming Dodge Charger was displayed at a private show for car dealers, many described the style as being reminiscent of the popular 1999 R/T Charger, designed by the former styling chief Tom Gale.
With that in mind, based on several reports, there are a few things we can look forward to in the next generation of the Dodge Charger. First and foremost, the car is expected to lose nearly 500 pounds from its base curb weight, allowing for a smaller engine. It’s possible that the next generation of many cars by Dodge will make 300-hp engines a standard. According to sources, the upcoming 2018 Jeep Wrangler will sport one of these engines – a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, or a twin-turbo inline-four engine. In addition, the overall length of the Charger will remain a little under 200 inches, but it’s expected to also have a slimmer look due to the weight loss. It has also been stated that in conjunction with the look of the 1999 R/T concept, the aim is to design a stretched version of the rear-wheel-drive Giorgio platform, similar to the design of the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Following this development, car models outside of Dodge with Street and Racing Technology (SRT) will likely be discontinued, such as the Chrysler 300 SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Performance cars and their design will not be sacrificed however, with sources stating that Dodge will be re-positioning its stance as a sporty brand focused on crossovers between muscle cars and performance-oriented designs. Moreover, SRT has been confirmed to be integrated with Dodge during its transition into a performance brand, and will be available in SRT variants with all-wheel drive and turbo engines over the next couple of years.
So what do you think of the game plan for the upcoming Dodge Charger? Are you looking forward to it? Do you like the design? Let us know. With the model pushed back to the early 20’s, influence from the current driver demographic could influence the design.