Report: Dodge to keep V8 muscle cars alive

Petrol-loving, muscle car fans can breathe a sigh of relief - the V8-powered Dodge Charger and Challenger look set to live on.

This news comes via a report from American publication, MotorTrend. It claims the US brand is working on a new-generation of its muscle car twins despite committing to an all-new ‘eMuscle car’ that’s set to debut in 2024.

The future of the Charger sedan and Challenger coupe remain uncertain officially, with Dodge only teasing a darkened image of its eMuscle car. But removing its two most important and popular two models completely or swapping them to electric power would be a large risk.

Instead, the company can have it both ways, with the eMuscle car appealing to buyers happy to make the electric switch, while these new petrol-powered models can carry on until well into next decade.

After all, Dodge has managed to stretch these models from the same basic underpinnings that it inherited when it was part of DaimlerChrysler and they date back to the early 2000s Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Now part of the giant Stellantis group (which encompasses 14 brands including Chrysler, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Maserati) Dodge can take advantage of an all-new platform that’s reportedly under-development. This new vehicle architecture will be utilised across multiple Stellantis models to help ensure it’s cost-effective.

Power, at least for the range-topping hero models - is likely to continue to come from the brand’s now iconic ‘Hellcat’ engine. This supercharged 6.2-litre V8 already makes between 535-594kW depending on its state of tune, so it should be potent enough to keep muscle car fans happy in a world of increasingly rare offerings.

What are you more excited for - the Dodge eMuscle Car or the new V8-powered Charger and Challenger? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Instagram