Is This the New Dodge Charger Electric Muscle Car?
New factory spy shots show what could be the next-generation Dodge Charger, though its status as an electric muscle car is now in doubt. Looking at the details, not much is certain, but there are hints abound as to what this new Dodge EV might look like.
Photos from a Stellantis factory show a new Dodge muscle car coupe
First reported by Autoblog, these assembly line photos don’t align with any current production Dodge vehicle. That means, in all likelihood, these are test mules for the next generation of Dodge muscle cars. The rising shoulder line looks much like the Dodge Charger Daytona EV prototype Stellantis showed off in 2022. However, the rear fuel door indicates some form of combustion engine, as most EVs have battery doors toward the front for easier access to public charging.
That leaves room for this new Dodge EV to be a combustion engine or plug-in hybrid model. But it’s here where we’re left wondering; there is no front fender to parse for details. And though Dodge forum posters have several theories, none offer specific inside knowledge.
What we can see is a two-door layout, which lines up with the Charger EV we saw a year ago. Furthermore, the rear fender tapers to meet a slim, rectangular rear panel. That is in agreement with the bar-style tail light from that same electric muscle car prototype. In addition, the rear window opening indicates a fastback design, ala Kia Stinger or Audi RS 5.
A closer look indicates a gas-powered engine configuration
While there is no engine or even engine mounts in this bare-bones unibody frame, the transmission tunnel tells a story. There is now a good chance that the next-generation Charger comes with a combustion engine. An EV would need no transmission cutout behind the engine, so expect the new Charger to burn at least some fuel when it arrives.
Right now, Stellantis’ most popular PHEV is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. That model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo and electric motors for a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Don’t be surprised to see a similar setup in the next-generation Charger. Especially as demand for full battery-electric vehicles experiences a sudden decline.
Past Dodge statements indicate V6 potential in the new Dodge Charger
For its part, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis stated the possibility of the new STLA Large platform housing the Hurricane inline-six. Speaking to Carscoops earlier this year, Kuniskis said, “STLA Large is a multi-energy platform.”
However, he then continued, saying, “Doesn’t mean we’re going to. We’re certainly not launching with anything like that…by the time we get to that point the offering we’re going to have is going to be really attractive in the marketplace.”
Critically, though, those quotes came in November of 2022, while EV demand was on the rise. Now, the tide has turned, and it’s possible the Charger EV has gone with it.
Where did these pre-production Dodge Charger photos come from?
The original poster of these next-generation Dodge Charger photos has remained frustratingly anonymous. However, the photos were taken in Stellantis’ Windsor plant, where they produce the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger models. That lends credence to the idea that this is the next-gen Dodge Charger production pilot, though Stellantis hasn’t said anything about the photos as of this writing.
