Dodge to end production of ICE Challenger and Charger

Dodge’s high-performance Challenger and Charger will cease to be next year – at least in their current form – as the American brand joins other carmakers in moving to electrification. That means both models will not be manufactured with internal combustion engines after 2023.

An all-new electric version of the Charger has been confirmed, possibly arriving as early as 2024, but the future of the Challenger beyond 2023 is unclear.

While both models are named after cars that date back to the 1960s and ‘70s, the modern Charger debuted in 2005 as a 2006 model, while the Challenger was unveiled in concept form in 2006 before going into production in 2008.

Both models have been available with a choice of V6 or V8 engines since launch, but in the Challenger, the V8 has been the more popular option and spawned numerous high-performance offshoots, including the T/A, SRT Demon and SRT Hellcat.

“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright new electrified future — by staying true to our brand,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis – in announcing the MY23 models on 15 August.

“[We] will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in their current form in the same way that got us here, with a passion both for our products and our enthusiasts that drives us to create as much uniqueness in the muscle car community and marketplace as possible.”

The 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger lineup will pay homage to the heritage of both models with the release of seven special editions and more options in the SRT ‘Jailbreak’ range that was introduced this year. Heritage colour options, including B5 Blue, Plum Crazy and Sublime, will return, as will a more recent option in Destroyer Grey.

Of the seven special editions, all will be “heritage-influenced,” referencing Dodge models from the golden era of the muscle car in the late 1960s and early ’70s. What form this heritage influence will take is unclear, but presumably special graphics and colours will feature prominently.

Details on six of the seven will be released shortly, with the final MY23 special edition to be unveiled at this year’s SEMA show in November.

Every 2023 Challenger and Charger will feature a “Last Call” plaque under the bonnet and will be available for the North American market in what Dodge says is a new, customer-focussed allocation process, with the entire model run released to dealerships at once, rather than staggered over time.

Pricing for both models and their variants will be announced closer to release for the North American market. As with all current Charger and Challenger models, the 2023 versions will not be offered in Australia, so local enthusiasts will have to import them privately and engage RHD conversion specialists, like Crossover Car Conversions in Victoria, to make them legal for Australian roads.