Dodge Challenger set for electrification
Next version of FCA's pony car will likely use a hybrid powertrain and much lighter chassis
The current Challenger has been a big success story for Dodge. In the ten years since its introduction, it's flown out of US showrooms - ranking second only to the Ford Mustang for sales in the segment- and brought global attention to the brand with its stonking performance. But even a range that is headed by the 800hp Hellcat Redeye can start to look a bit long in the tooth, so naturally conversation is beginning to turn to its successor.
"What it isn't going to be is a V8, supercharged, 700hp engine," is how FCA boss Mike Manley described the next Challenger at the Detroit motor show, which might surprise and disappoint some people. "The reality is [the current platform] and that technology we used does need to move on. They can't exist as you get into the middle-2020s."
For most of us, such statements are commonplace. But for proper American muscle car enthusiasts, the sort that don't climb out of bed for anything less than eight cylinders, that's likely to cause some hurt. Manley suggested to The Detroit News that industry pressures have encouraged a controversial switch to "electrification", but that "new technology is going to drive a load of weight out, so we can think of the powertrains in a different way", suggesting performance will at least take a step forward.
The current Challenger is based on 13-year-old Chrysler-designed LX architecture, but the next car will use FCA underpinnings that have been developed from the offset to be compatible with electrification. It's likely the next Challenger will therefore come with a twin-turbocharged version of today's 3.6-litre V6, boosted by electric power. Of course, there's still a chance a V8 will be retained for special edition models, even if only to appease the die-hard Challenger fans.
The Challenger won't be the only pony car to integrate electrification into its powertrain either, because the next Mustang is due with a hybrid four-cylinder. Given that this shift is happening across the whole automotive market, it might leave muscle cars looking a little insignificant. Don't you think?
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the likes of the RS and M cars of this world and Gen we’re fully electric. Will it just be trim and suspension that seerstws them from the run of the will saloons and estates? Will saloons and estates even survive?
http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales-data/dodge/do...
and 2018 was the bigly-est year yet -- selling on average more than 180 units per day, every day!
V8 versions have been able to outsell the V6:
https://www.torquenews.com/106/hemi-v8-outselling-...
so...
while the newfangled electrified car may prove to be fun, purists will have plenty of used inventory to consider
and let's remember: aftermarket kit for these cars is massive
The biggest threat to fun is AWD becoming the norm.
The biggest threat to fun is AWD becoming the norm.
I'd just as soon they go full on electric and be done with it. The more EV's on the road the more places to charge will pop up. A full electric Challenger I am sure would inspire a new era of electric car 'tuner' guys. It's coming, I'm just not sure if the general population is ready for it yet.
https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/panamera/18933/porsc...
I could see a Blown Hemi V8 with electric drive similar to the above. Would meet the lowered emissions etc, and still be a proper V8....
With the mustang, no doubt ford will go the turbo v6 hybrid, based on the motor in the Ford GT and even F-150 raptor.... shame, as they could also do a V8 version rather than V6 (and of course Porsche offer both V6 and V8).
As for 100% EV, there. is still an issue with battery density/range, especially if used "enthusiastically"...
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