If you’re a fan of the current Dodge Charger and Challenger, we’ve got good news for you. Dodge is reportedly keeping the two models in production until at least 2020, instead of debuting all-new models in 2018 as was previously rumored. Yes, that means today’s Challenger, introduced in 2008, will be in production for more than twice as long as the original 1970?1974 car it emulates.
Citing anonymous Fiat Chrysler sources, Automotive News reports that Dodge will refresh the Challenger and the Charger for 2018 but won’t give the models a full redesign until the 2021 model year. It’s also expected that FCA will discontinue the Chrysler 300 sedan when the new Charger and Challenger debut.
In addition to the 2018 refresh, Dodge plans on maintaining Challenger and Charger sales with more special-edition models, such as the 2017 Charger Daytona and Challenger T/A. We already know an all-wheel-drive, V-6?powered Challenger is soon to arrive, as is a wide-body Hellcat with more room for tires that should be better able to handle the car’s 707 horsepower and nearly 4500 pounds. When the Charger and Challenger are redesigned for 2021, they’ll share a platform with the new, rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo Giulia. The Alfa platform is significantly stiffer than the current one, which could allow Dodge to build a Challenger-based convertible. This car, rumored to revive the Barracuda nameplate, has been teased by Dodge for a number of years, so...