Production for the Dodge Challenger and Charger has come to an end after nearly two decades since their revival in the early 2000s (Both cars have been around since the 1960s, but production has been on and off). The two V8-powered American muscle cars rolled off the Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, on December 22, 2023.
The final Dodge Challenger coupe to have been produced was an SRT Demon 170 special edition in Pitch Black. Being the most powerful Challenger yet, the muscle car features the 764 kW (1025 hp) version of the 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 engine.
The final Dodge Charger on the other hand was a Scat Pack Widebody in Destroyer Grey, featuring a 6.4-litre naturally aspirated Hemi V8 engine that makes 362 kW (485 hp).
Replacing both the Dodge Charger and Challenger is believed to be a single electric vehicle (EV) model, which is expected to make its debut in 2024. A turbocharged inline-six engine-powered model will follow as well.
The last of the Challenger and Charger’s mechanical twin – the Chrysler 300 was also produced at the Stellantis factory in Canada back on December 20, 2023 – two weeks before the muscle car’s 20th birthday.
However, unlike the Dodge twins, the Chrysler 300 won’t have a direct replacement. Still, the American carmaker is planning to revamp its lineup with a series of new EVs in the future.
Aside from the Dodge and Chrysler muscle cars, General Motors’ petrol-powered Chevrolet Camaro also went lights off in early December 2023. This essentially ended the era for the petrol-powered muscle cars from the ‘Big Three’ US car giants – Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler/Dodge, leaving the Ford Mustang as the only one left standing. Ford said that it will continue making the V8-powered Mustangs for as long as they can, even in the electric era.
