Dodge confirms Euro Chargers... with petrol power
Hurricane straight six, two- and four-door bodies, the EV if you want - Dodge is on a charge...
Well, chalk this one up as an unexpected headline. Just the other day we were talking about two-door Dodge muscle cars on PH, how they remain some of the most tempting forbidden fruit out there, and now there’s this: the new Charger is coming to Europe. Not just the battery powered car, either, but the models with the Hurricane straight six. Given the dearth of two-door coupes of any kind out there right now, this has to rank as good news. Especially with the M2 xDrive just announced as well…
While there are still a few gaps to fill in, there’s plenty to be encouraged by. 2026 is the 60th anniversary of the Charger, so it’s as good a time as any for a significant announcement. A modern audience may associate the original more with Dominic Toretto than anyone else, but there was of course that starring role in Bullitt as well. Seldom has a bad guys’ car been more perfectly cast than that black Charger. Even without Fast & Furious, the Charger was a muscle car icon. It’s just the past 25 years that has made it into a Hollywood A-lister as well.
Obviously, the car that’s coming is rather different to the original, but it still packs a lot of power into an aggressive two-door shape. The line up for Europe will mimic exactly what’s offered Stateside, with 420hp and 550hp variants of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six as well as the pair of EVs: a 536hp Daytona R/T and a 670hp Daytona Scat Pack. Every model will be all-wheel drive (with a RWD mode) and offered with two or four doors. The Challenger name might be gone, but the spirit lives on.
As for distribution, Dodge has enlisted the help of KW Automotive and its dealer network for a ‘professional commercial journey across key European markets.’ Hopefully that includes little old Britain, because the BMW M4 shows we love all-wheel drive, turbo straight six, heavy coupes, but let’s see. Spares are coming through Iron Parts.
“Bringing Charger back to Europe is a significant moment for the brand,” said Fabio Catone, Head of Brand for Dodge in Europe. “It means reintroducing an unmistakable American nameplate to customers that values character and authenticity. Charger has always been about standing apart, and that attitude is exactly what defines its return.” For now, Dodge is merely telling us to ‘stay tuned’ - that we will. Expect to know more about Chargers in Europe before the end of the anniversary year.
Would you still buy one if all those hurdles would overcome?
Would you? Would you spend your money on it?
I sometimes find on these forums people like to pick apart anything and everything, but then when the time comes they're never the ones who were likely to buy from new. See endless discussions on Lotus "losing their way" when they never were likely to buy any of the older products.
Not really sure they're the right cars for our European (and even less British) roads.
the straight 6 biturbo sounds almost BMW M like engines, or sort like.
k didn't they put a V8 in this?Not really sure they're the right cars for our European (and even less British) roads.
the straight 6 biturbo sounds almost BMW M like engines, or sort like.
I'd not feel short changed with one vs the old V8s from a power point of view though, it was an impressive engine.
I certainly wouldn't trade in my Dark Horse for one given that wasn't the easiest car to get hold of in mine rather than Ford's spec but at least that was V8 and RHD.
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