Pontiac — It's official: Dodge is ending production of the Challenger and Charger in their current form in December 2023 ahead of the launch of its all-electric muscle car in 2024.
To help customers who want one of the gas-powered vehicles with a "Last Call" underhood plaque, Stellantis NV's performance brand in October will have on its website the details of where vehicles will be allocated for the final year of production and how many each dealer will receive through the rest of the run. The inventory of unsold vehicles will be updated weekly, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said. Pricing for the 2023 model year has yet to be shared.
The 2023 lineup also includes the 717-horsepower two-door Challenger and four-door Charger SRT Jailbreak models as well as the return of the Durango SRT Hellcat. Dodge previously offered the V8-powered, 710-horsepower SUV with limited production for model year 2021, because of evaporative emissions limitations for the platform. Micky Bly, head of global propulsion systems for Stellantis, says some tweaking of the engine calibration solved the issue, allowing the automaker to bring back the offering by popular demand starting in September.
"One good thing that came out of COVID, if there was one good thing," Kuniskis said, "is the supply-chain disruption gave some people more time to get creative and think of things."
Dodge also has partnered with Drop Top Customs to offer a Challenger convertible for $25,999. The company will ship the vehicle from Bampton to the Florida-based customization shop and work with dealers to deliver it to buyers. Orders open Tuesday.
For those more interested in building their own drag car, Dodge also will offer a $89,999 Challenger Mopar Drag Pak Rolling Chassis without an engine or transmission through its Direct Connection program. Customers also can buy a Challenger body-in-white kit for $7,995.
Direct Connection also partnered with Wisconsin's SpeedKore Performance Group for carbon fiber body panels of the modern-era Challenger. Future Direct Connection-licensed carbon-fiber bodies through FInale Speed will include the 1970 Dodge Charger as well as the Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner.
Tuner kits and Scat Pak transmissions also will be available. Customers can order Direct Connection parts through Dodge Power Brokers dealerships and online. More details on the offerings will come at SEMA.
For 2023, Dodge also is making available heritage exterior colors B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green as well as the modern Destroyer Grey.
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