Next-gen Dodge Charger Focused on 'Lean' Muscle
05-31-16 | 02:23 PM
#1
Next-gen Dodge Charger Focused on 'Lean' Muscle
Next-gen Dodge Charger could cut weight, offer twin-turbo I-4
The next-generation Dodge Charger is expected to shed nearly 500 pounds from its base curb weight and could come with a 300-hp, twin-turbo inline-four engine in development for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, according to sources.
The new Charger, however, likely won't roll off the line in Brampton, Ontario, until early in the next decade, as Fiat Chrysler squeezes one more freshening from its aging L-series large cars, according to an insider with knowledge of FCA's product plan.
The Charger's overall length is expected to remain at about 198 inches when it switches from its current platform -- which dates to the Charger's return as a 2006 model -- to an extended version of the Giorgio platform that underpins the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Engineers and designers are working to slim its existing 3,960-pound curb weight down to around 3,500 pounds, the source said.
The Charger was last freshened for the 2015 model year. Through April, its U.S. sales were up 1.9 percent from the year-earlier period to 35,959. The source said Charger is scheduled to undergo one more minor freshening, expected for the 2019 model year, before switching to its new platform.
At a private show for dealers in August in Las Vegas, FCA showed an early styling buck of its next-generation Charger that was described by dealers as being reminiscent of a popular 1999 Charger concept car designed by Tom Gale, Chrysler's former styling chief.
The new Charger, however, likely won't roll off the line in Brampton, Ontario, until early in the next decade, as Fiat Chrysler squeezes one more freshening from its aging L-series large cars, according to an insider with knowledge of FCA's product plan.
The Charger's overall length is expected to remain at about 198 inches when it switches from its current platform -- which dates to the Charger's return as a 2006 model -- to an extended version of the Giorgio platform that underpins the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Engineers and designers are working to slim its existing 3,960-pound curb weight down to around 3,500 pounds, the source said.
The Charger was last freshened for the 2015 model year. Through April, its U.S. sales were up 1.9 percent from the year-earlier period to 35,959. The source said Charger is scheduled to undergo one more minor freshening, expected for the 2019 model year, before switching to its new platform.
At a private show for dealers in August in Las Vegas, FCA showed an early styling buck of its next-generation Charger that was described by dealers as being reminiscent of a popular 1999 Charger concept car designed by Tom Gale, Chrysler's former styling chief.
05-31-16 | 03:57 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,620
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Ford hasn't really done anything like that since the late 90s Mercury Marauder, which basically had the right idea product-wise, but the 302 HP 4.6L V8 wasn't really strong enough for it.
05-31-16 | 08:49 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
FCA likes old muscle car/hot rod cues on its line of RWD V8 cars to attract a certain segment of buyers at various times. I'm not surprised about why this car looks the way it does.
When the New Charger name first came back, it ticked off a lot of diehard muscle car fans - and so it should have. Here you had legendary name from two door NASCAR racers and street muscle cars in a four door car.
This restyle is stealing right from the 1969 Charger Daytona. The side scoops come from that Charger coupe line of cars, and the beak nose is from Daytona. It will attract buyers, since the original now sells for $200K if it has the Hemi.
btw the original clocked 215 mph and broke speed records supposedly because of the beak nose.
When the New Charger name first came back, it ticked off a lot of diehard muscle car fans - and so it should have. Here you had legendary name from two door NASCAR racers and street muscle cars in a four door car.
This restyle is stealing right from the 1969 Charger Daytona. The side scoops come from that Charger coupe line of cars, and the beak nose is from Daytona. It will attract buyers, since the original now sells for $200K if it has the Hemi.
btw the original clocked 215 mph and broke speed records supposedly because of the beak nose.
Last edited by MattyG; 05-31-16 at 08:52 PM.
05-31-16 | 09:39 PM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,756
Likes: 171
From: California
The latest trend with who's buying these beasts has completely shifted, and FCA knows it. There is no longer a big following for "old Detroit iron." However, thanks to Hollywood and the hip hop crowd, once again, the nightlife and club crowd has carried these cars into a new life. These are guys in their teens and 20's, rocking it up to what they've seen in the latest music videos by their favorite artists (I use the term "artist" losely). Sadly, this young and inexperienced crowd are crashing the hell out of these at night after the parties get out (ditto on the Mustangs and Camaros). As I've listed out in several other threads over time, I live adjacent to a large high school and state college. This is what goes on each weekend and throughout the night. There is absolutely no connection to heritage. These cars and their drivers are all about partying, brute power, making noise, and acting like a ***hole.
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06-01-16 | 05:07 AM
#10
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
When this car eventually (emphasis on eventually) I expect it to be much more athletic given its Giorgio platform origins.
That's not a restyle, it's the 1999 Charger concept. But yes it took cues from the 1969 model. And let's be honest, they should've been much more ticked off when the 1983 Charger debuted:
That's because it is. That's the 1999 Charger concept.
FCA likes old muscle car/hot rod cues on its line of RWD V8 cars to attract a certain segment of buyers at various times. I'm not surprised about why this car looks the way it does.
When the New Charger name first came back, it ticked off a lot of diehard muscle car fans - and so it should have. Here you had legendary name from two door NASCAR racers and street muscle cars in a four door car.
This restyle is stealing right from the 1969 Charger Daytona. The side scoops come from that Charger coupe line of cars, and the beak nose is from Daytona. It will attract buyers, since the original now sells for $200K if it has the Hemi.
btw the original clocked 215 mph and broke speed records supposedly because of the beak nose.
When the New Charger name first came back, it ticked off a lot of diehard muscle car fans - and so it should have. Here you had legendary name from two door NASCAR racers and street muscle cars in a four door car.
This restyle is stealing right from the 1969 Charger Daytona. The side scoops come from that Charger coupe line of cars, and the beak nose is from Daytona. It will attract buyers, since the original now sells for $200K if it has the Hemi.
btw the original clocked 215 mph and broke speed records supposedly because of the beak nose.
That's because it is. That's the 1999 Charger concept.
06-01-16 | 06:11 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,620
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The latest trend with who's buying these beasts has completely shifted, and FCA knows it. There is no longer a big following for "old Detroit iron." However, thanks to Hollywood and the hip hop crowd, once again, the nightlife and club crowd has carried these cars into a new life. These are guys in their teens and 20's, rocking it up to what they've seen in the latest music videos by their favorite artists (I use the term "artist" losely). Sadly, this young and inexperienced crowd are crashing the hell out of these at night after the parties get out (ditto on the Mustangs and Camaros). As I've listed out in several other threads over time, I live adjacent to a large high school and state college. This is what goes on each weekend and throughout the night. There is absolutely no connection to heritage. These cars and their drivers are all about partying, brute power, making noise, and acting like a ***hole.
It's true that the younger people buying V8 Chargers often use them for showing off, but you would still be surprised at the number of Baby Boomers my age still buying them just to remember their youth. That's one reason why Dodge, in addition to the Charger's other paint-colors, brought back the lime-green, purple, and some other special colors that were offered back around 1970.
06-01-16 | 11:34 AM
#14
From above since some folks are confused.
At a private show for dealers in August in Las Vegas, FCA showed an early styling buck of its next-generation Charger that was described by dealers as being reminiscent of a popular 1999 Charger concept car designed by Tom Gale, Chrysler's former styling chief.
