Dodge has a long history of ruling the American muscle car industry. And the manufacturer has always taken a staunch stance when it comes to providing their customers with what they’re looking for: some of the most powerful combustible engines you can fit in a coupe or sedan.
However, a recent change of ownership has caused Dodge to change its tune a little bit. Don’t misunderstand—raw power and speed are still the focal points of their performance lineup. But with an auto industry that’s inevitably evolving into an EV market, Dodge has announced that they are exploring concepts for what they call “eMuscle” technology.
Along with benefitting the environment, electric motors are not bound by the same limits as combustible engines. In other words, an all-electric Charger or Challenger could wield considerably more power than its gas-powered predecessors (we know, it’s kind of a scary thought!).
So, what do Dodge’s plans for an electric future look like? Below, Mount Airy CDJR shares everything we know so far. And we’ll also touch on what we expect from the 2022 Charger and 2022 Challenger models:
Are the Charger and Challenger Going Electric?
In July, Dodge announced that it would be launching the first-ever all-electric muscle car in 2024. If you’re like some other muscle car enthusiasts, you may be seething in your seat right now. After all, no other brand has outdone Dodge when it comes to producing incredibly powerful V8 muscle cars like the Charger Hellcat Redeye and Challenger SRT Super Stock.
While the announcement definitely raised eyebrows, it also left many people scratching their heads, as the details were scarce and Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis proclaimed that the manufacturer won’t “sell electric cars—it will sell eMuscle.” The messaging was a little unclear, but fans are assuming eMuscle to be Dodge’s branding for an upcoming lineup of EVs.
So, which models will be released under the eMuscle sub-brand? That’s the million-dollar question. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis (which is now the parent company of Dodge), has clearly stated that the Charger and Challenger would be included in the future lineup. When asked during a conference call whether there was an all-electric Viper in the works, he refrained from comment. But then he followed with, “The Charger and Challenger, absolutely yes.”
This is great news for fans of the legendary muscle cars, even if a little disappointing to those who were wishing for an electric revival of the Viper. Plenty of mystery surrounds Dodge’s EV plans, but we can be pretty confident that the Charger and Challenger will be part of them, even if they come with different nameplates.
Stellantis has also debuted a slogan for Dodge’s future EV brand: “Tear up the streets…Not the planet.” But there’s another factor involved in the decision to go electric than merely cutting down on emissions. Kuniskis is on record for saying that “engineers are reaching a practical limit of what we can squeeze from internal combustion innovation…They know we know that electric motors can give us more.” He also suggested that his engineering team has technology that can give Dodge a performance advantage in the evolving market. “If a charger can make a Charger faster, then we’re all for it,” said Kuniskis.
In a teaser video released on social media, Dodge’s concept electric muscle car appears to be doing a four-wheel burnout, which hints at an all-wheel-drive model. However, besides that short clip and the new eMuscle logo, the video didn’t leave much to go on. Though it’s no doubt a transformative step for the automaker to take, it’s easy to see why electrification is necessary if its goal is to remain atop the world of performance-based vehicles.
So, what if you’re not sure about the whole muscle-car-gone-electric thing? Or what if you simply don’t want to wait another three years to get your hands on a world-class performance machine? Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the 2022 Charger and Challenger models:
2022 Dodge Charger
Dodge hasn’t released any official information on the upcoming 2022 Charger, which means that it will likely be a carryover model. Therefore, it will probably be available in six trims—SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye.
Though the Charger may not be as iconic as its little brother, it has earned its own reputation for being an absolute beast. It has won countless accolades over the years, been the top choice of highway patrolmen, and remained among the fastest sedans in the world.
Engine and Performance
Assuming no major changes are made for 2022, the Charger should offer five different engines. Let’s be clear, the base engine is capable. And from there, the sheer power just gets ridiculous.
The base 3.6-liter V6 produces 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque for the rear-wheel-drive SXT, while the GT and all-wheel-drive SXT sees 300 hp and 262 lb-ft. The R/T trim comes standard with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that’s good for 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, and the Scat Pack’s naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8 (a.k.a. 392 HEMI) produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft.
Things start getting absurd when you get to the SRT Hellcat, which is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that yields 717 horses and 650 lb-ft. The Hellcat Redeye uses a similar engine, except it has been specially tuned to give out a whopping 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. All Charger models come with an automatic eight-speed transmission.
Interior
The interior of the 2022 Dodge Charger is all about function. The simplicity of the cabin mixed with the aggressive exterior ultimately creates an impressive balance. For a sport sedan, this model offers a lot of room for passengers, as well as impressive trunk space. And if you opt for the top-of-the-line SRT Hellcat Redeye, you’ll receive plenty of race-inspired features, such as a red 220-MPH speedometer.
If you’ve ever tinkered with the Uconnect system before, you know how easy to use and responsive it is. Dodge’s infotainment system is among the best in the industry, and every Charger trim comes with it. Here are some additional features that you’ll get with the Charger’s interior:
• Seven- or 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Seven-inch customizable digital information cluster
• Push-button start
• Performance shifter
• Leather steering wheel
• Available sport seats
• Available heated front seats and steering wheel
Exterior
There’s no mistaking the Dodge Charger for any other vehicle when it comes to exterior appearance. The aerodynamic nose and LED headlights are joined by updated suspensions and brakes. Perhaps the most distinctive model is the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, which is more aggressive and wider. It also boasts fender flares in the front and rear fascias that extend 3.5 inches wider over the wheels. The Charger’s long wheelbase makes for more legroom inside.
There are plenty of features that contribute to the unique, eye-catching exterior of the Charger, beginning with the race-inspired taillights, aggressive fenders, and headlight design, and signature hood scoop (R/T and above). LED daytime running lights, bifunctional halogen projector headlights, and LED fog lights to come standard. Higher trims can be had with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights.
Safety
Amid all the power-hungriness, Dodge didn’t compromise on safety when designing the 2022 Charger. There are tons of standard and optional active and passive safety technologies to consider. For example, adaptive cruise control, hill start assist, advanced traction control, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking assistance, lane departure alert with lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning with active braking are all available.
There are also a plethora of airbags planted throughout the cabin, including advanced multistage front airbags, a driver-side knee blocker airbag, and supplemental full-length airbags in the side curtain. The 2022 Dodge Charger has not been tested yet by the NHTSA or IIHS. But since the 2021 Charger performed well in crash tests for both organizations, we can expect the same for the upcoming model.
2022 Dodge Challenger
As with the Charger, the 2022 Challenger will most likely be a carryover model. It doesn’t get more iconic than the Dodge Challenger. It’s perhaps the most recognized muscle car in the world, yet it has managed to maintain its old-school charm without becoming even the slightest obsolete. We expect the 2022 Challenger will be available in SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Super Stock configurations, though we can’t be certain until Dodge makes an official announcement.
Engine and Performance
There are several different engines available for the Dodge Challenger. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that pumps 303 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The power grows as you step up the trims. For instance, the SRT Hellcat Redeye is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with an output of 717 hp and 656 lb-ft. The most powerful variant, the SRT Super Stock, uses the same engine, but it has been tweaked to produce 807 hp and 707 lb-ft. You can get either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission with each trim.
Interior
Don’t let the aggressive nature of the Dodge Challenger fool you—it’s really comfortable inside. A roomy cabin, leather seats, and soft-touch door panels? Yes, please! While the base variant emits a sense of luxury on its own, you can get even fancier by climbing the trim levels or purchasing the comfort package. This vehicle comes with its fair share of interior features, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, four-way passenger seat, 60-40 folding bench, and fixed rear windows.
The 2022 Challenger comes with plenty of infotainment features as well. Here are a few examples:
• Seven-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Integrated voice control
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
• Two USB ports
• Dual-zone climate control
Exterior
As in previous years, the 2022 Dodge Challenger sports an aggressive overall exterior, yet the curves are more fluid than some of the previous models. The aerodynamics is still second-to-none. And the muscle car is still as deliciously retro as ever.
You can opt for 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season performance tires on your Challenger. Other features include body-color exterior mirrors, power mirrors with manual fold-away, automatic projector headlights, fog lights, front and rear solar control glass, LED split taillights, rear courtesy lights, a trunk lamp, body-color fascias, a gloss black grille, and a satin black rear spoiler.
Safety
Similar to the Charger, the 2022 Challenger has not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but previous crash tests suggest that it will earn stellar ratings. The base Challenger comes with a rearview camera, and there are loads of safety features available—from parking assist to roll stability control, from an aerial view camera system to a performance steering wheel.
Conclusion
Some muscle car enthusiasts will undoubtedly take issue with the recent news that Dodge will be electrifying their cars. But when it comes down to it, the transformation will allow the automaker to add even more power to the Charger and Challenger while also helping to preserve the planet.
If you’re not crazy about the idea of waiting until 2024 for your new vehicle, then consider going with a 2021 or 2022 Dodge Charger or Dodge Challenger. Mount Airy CDJR will be glad to help you pick the perfect beast!
