It feels like we’ve been waiting ages for the new Dodge Charger to drop, and a set of teaser photos recently published to Dodge’s social media platforms suggest that it’s very nearly here. Straight off the rip, a few things are obvious: It’s a coupe, it’s big, it looks almost exactly like the Dodge Charger Daytona concept, and its power source is rather ambiguous. For the people who’ve been complaining that Chargers only have two doors since 2005, your time has come.
Obviously, Dodge has done some work to partially obfuscate the look of the new Charger in these teaser photos, from choosing a grey car to positioning it behind a fence to shooting from a distance. However, there’s still a ton of cues we can pick out from the generous selection of teaser photos.
The front end looks a bit sad in these photos. Maybe the dreary January weather plays a role, but this front clip just doesn’t look as expressively malevolent as the old Challenger or the 392 and Hellcat Chargers with the stormtrooper front end. We’ve got two blocky headlights set into a horizontal grille-like element with one daytime running light bar connecting the two. Pretty simple. Below that, the outer front bumper grilles recall those of the outgoing Hellcat Challenger, while the main bumper grille is trapezoidal like the first facelifted modern Challenger from 2012. Also up front? The Fratzog logo from Mopar history. Gotta lean into that brand heritage, right?
Although it’s hard to tell much about the new Charger’s profile, it seems almost identical to that of the Charger SRT Daytona Banshee concept when viewed from afar, with a few minor detail changes. The mirrors are now actually large enough for a road car, while either a fuel door or a charging port appears on the left quarter panel. Dodge seems to have taken great pains to maintain the classic profile scalloping that reappeared on the previous Charger, and it seems to work on this new car.
Based on information Stellantis has released previously, we know for sure that the new Charger will ride on the STLA Large architecture and feature some level of electrification, likely a full-on battery electric powertrain. However, leaks of bodyshells at a Stellantis facility earlier this year show a transmission tunnel, so don’t be surprised if the three-liter Hurricane inline-six from the Jeep Wagoneer makes an appearance.
Another thing we gleaned from those body-in-white photos is that the new Charger is likely a three-door liftback, making it the first three-door liftback Charger since 1987, and the first liftback Charger coupe with a longitudinal architecture ever. The once-popular liftback bodystyle is now sorely missed from the mass-market coupe segment, so this added boost of practicality might be just what people need to consider the new Dodge Charger a practical family car, even if it loses two doors over the last one.
For a bit of context, here’s the Charger SRT Daytona Banshee concept from 2022. Notice the cutline of the front bumper, the distinct contouring where the fenders meet the hood and A-pillars, the bumper grille silhouette, and the rake of the A-pillars? Yep, all those things carry over from the concept, which suggests the concept may have been built using production data. Considering it’s a running, driving concept, using hardware already in development only makes sense from a cost perspective.
While some might scoff at the Dodge Charger going electric, over the past 58 years, the nameplate’s been positively eclectic. The Charger started life as a midsized fastback for 1966 and 1967, before morphing into the muscle car canonized in the pantheon of greats by productions like “Bullitt” and “The Dukes of Hazzard.” This second-generation Charger was also where the Daytona nameplate was born, with a legendary wing car designed for NASCAR superspeedways.
For 1971, the styling shifted again, with a sleek nose, a more wedge-like silhouette, and Chrysler’s fuselage surfacing. These 1971 to 1974 Chargers are the last of the OG muscle car crop, with available V8 hero engines like the 426 Hemi, the 440, and the attainable 383. Of course, you could also get a third-generation Charger with more economy-minded engines like the 225-cube slant-six, but that’s part of classic American coupes’ long-lasting appeal — they offered something for everyone.
In 1975, things got weird. The muscle car segment was dead thanks to rising fuel costs and concerns about emissions, to the Dodge Charger pivoted to being a rebranded Chrysler Cordoba. Look, it was the era of Quaaludes and leisure suits, it’s hard to explain but easy to acknowledge. Dodge eventually decided to use the Magnum name for its personal luxury coupe, putting the Charger nameplate on ice after 1978.
That ice melted quickly. In 1981, the Charger was back and unlike any other Charger prior or since. This new car was front-wheel-drive, and started its life as an option package before taking over the Omni 024 range entirely. As with before, this Charger had range from mild to wild, with turbo Shelby power at the top of the range and a humble 1.6-liter Simca Poissy engine at the bottom. It was an unprecedently weird time for the Charger nameplate, but a fun one.
Oh, and who could forget the iconic LX and LD Chargers, spanning 2005 until 2023. These rear-wheel-drive bruisers were available with as little as 190 horsepower and as much as 807 horsepower, a hilarious spread if I’ve ever seen one. These cars singlehandedly rebuild the Charger’s reputation into what it is today, and David did a phenomenal job with his history of the LX platform if you’re interested in reading more.
Through the nameplate’s long and tumultuous life, the Dodge Charger has been a sporty midsize fastback, a muscle car, a personal luxury coupe, an import-fighting front-wheel-drive hatchback, a full-size sedan, and now likely an EV. How’s that for constant change?
Expect the new Dodge Charger to debut later this year, possibly as either a 2025 model or a 2026 model depending on start-of-production. We wouldn’t be surprised if it offers a choice of electric or Hurricane turbocharged inline-six power, and it also seems reasonable to expect a liftback, given previous production leaks. Depending on where pricing clocks in, this could be one seriously tempting family vehicle if you don’t have much of a need for rear doors. Plus, even with its size, it could still give the Ford Mustang some competition.
(Photo credits: Dodge)
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“Expect the new Dodge Charger to debut later this year, possibly as either a 2025 model or a 2026 model depending on start-of-production.”
If you start making a car in 2024 it’s a 2024 car, unless you’re in marketing, in which case I guess its one of two years, neither of which is the year it’s made.
Hey marketing people: if you’re so great at manipulating public opinion, how come we all think you’re dicks?
Debut is different from start of production. Debut being the event where they unveil the styling(I guess not this time) and actually tell us the numbers and specs on this thing, what engines, ect.
They will start making it in 2025 as a 2025 model most likely.
I agree the styling is trying too hard to evoke the “day two” jacked up rear end look. If the base model offers a petrol V6 I would be interested.
That quarter panel to rear bumper transition is not good looking at all.
I hope they also come out with a 4 door version as well. If they don’t, it will further make Dodge an even lower volume and less viable brand.
If they aren’t gonna make a 4 door Charger, then bring back the 4 door version and call it the Coronet, Polara, Monaco or Magnum.
I like that idea
Neon XL
I feel like we’ll get a 4 door version, they’re just showing the coupe first.
They have the 4 door Charger and the 2 door Challenger on the same platform, why wouldn’t they just keep that recipe? And the Magnum if they want to offer a wagon. If both the electric and gas powered versions are named Daytona, then nothing makes sense.
“ then nothing makes sense.”
You saying that go me thinking… what if they decided to make the Charger a 2 door coupe and call the 4 door the Challenger?
Or better yet… call the larger 4 door version the Dodge Colt Vista. And then have a wagon version and call it the SX 2.0 (which is the stupid name they gave to the Neon for a few years in the 2000s).
I think it looks fantastic. The rake is a little excessive but it definitely looks like a modern take on an old Charger.
Just missing the big ol buttresses. and 400+ cubes of V8.
One of the things that excites me about EVs is that aerodynamics require less ridiculous proportions. Hopefully we are witnessing the death of the massive “imposing” front end.
It looks like an old Charger, minus the coke bottle beltline, the one feature distinctive of all muscle cars.
Oh. It looks like a sad cat.
Yikes, that’s… what’s the opposite of easy on the eyes?
I think it looks great! And it appears you may be able to see out of it, which is a plus.
This is what the Camaro should have been, just about a foot longer.
GM has left a gap in the market that the Charger will very conveniently fill.
The problem with the Camaro is that it got too invested in ring lap times
btw, I don’t say God Dammit. When I’m pissed off I scream dirty whore. I’m told it’s better than using the “C” or “K” cuss words. They both sound the same, guess it comes down to how you spell sheet. Why, I don’t freaking, flipping , frucking know.
If my old arthritic hip can climb in and out without screaming “dirty whore, why are you trying to kill me”, I’m all in. To think back in the day, I could hop in and out of cars no problem. I hate my sisters Tesla’s, and my nephew’s Cayenne’s because of the enter/exit thing .You would think a Tesla would have a proper grab handle for old farts like me, but, nooooo. Tesla, Want me to like your car, put a fricken grab handle in them, you know, like a 18k Kia does?… Rant over
I’m really looking forward to the new Charger. But if worst comes to worst, prices are getting pretty darn reasonable on the old models… and those challys come with the Lord’s Transmission
This could have come out in 2010, there’s nothing to see here.
And the proportions of the rear (not pictured here but somewhere else on the internet) are all wrong.
Interesting. From the picture here, it’s the rear end I like.. while the front end looks pinched and sad.
Ok, looks like TwiX is the best way to share the mockup of the taller grill.
Stock vs. DMP Dreamgrill
Seems to be good to be true. Hopefully this isn’t just to crank up interest, only to pull out the rug with a sedan… or worse… for production.
The front… Well, it’s not a grille, but the lighting rectangle – needs to be about 50% taller. It feels squished.
totally agree. I posted this link in my earlier…um..post. I think you need to cut and paste into your browser, but I did a quick mockup of a taller “grill”. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8aofnk207gqi9n2sb3ism/Charger-large-grill.png?rlkey=o7lo25u01biq4j5k7bqnrqjw2&dl=0
Tried that. “This item was deleted.”
Yeah, Autopian doesn’t like Dropbox. Try this
Interesting. You’re definitely on to something but imo it still looks droopy and sad.
Can only do so much about the droopiness when they’re also trying to make it more aerodynamic – big, bluff front ends aren’t exactly good for smooth airflow.
An improvement, to be sure. I can think of a few other improvements now that it’s less overwhelmingly squished: the light bar, rather than going all the way across, should have been formed into two rounded rectangles that end on either side of the central support. This would give it a little more of an homage to the first and second generation models while still looking cool and modern, and it would also help distract from the big hole in the middle.
Nah, prefer it the way they designed it.
This one is an EV variant. They told us a while ago shortly after they released the concept that the Fratzog was for the EV(s), so we know this much about this specific car.
It’s also all-but conformed from insiders that the majority will be Hurricane 6 powered, although we’ll see if they hybrid-ify that powerplant.
Honestly, as a former owner of a 2015, and had a roommate with a 2011… the tail looks weird. It’s almost awkwardly long for the car.
Not one comment about Charger being the perfect name for an EV?
Haha “Can I borrow your charger to charge my Charger?”
2025-26 car huh? Hope they have a few 2023 Chargers and Challengers on the lot to sell. That seems like a big gap to make to be honest.
One model year gap seems excessively large? I guess you’ve never heard of a 1983 Corvette or a 1998 F350.
Also, this is pretty normal with Chrysler or whatever they’re called this afternoon.
There was a 2 year gap between the last Dodge Viper and the launch of the SRT Viper that replaced it, also a 2-year gap between the 2nd and 3rd generations of the Dodge Durango, a 7 year gap between the Neon and the Dart, and a 1-year gap between the Jeep Liberty & Cherokee. They rarely seem to have their product plans organized enough for a smooth transition from one generation to another without an interregnum.
I just learned a new word, thank you
Or the 1996 BMW 5 series
That was because of the transition to OBDII.
What? I own a 1996 BMW 5 Series
Thing is BMW had alternatives, Stellantis has nothing really except the Hornet maybe?
Or a 1998 Miata
Looks at the titleLooks at an ’80s ChargerWhat asinine world do I live in where people actually rather admit a 2 door Omni is more of a Charger then a RWD, V8 powered sedan?
“… but this front clip just doesn’t look as expressively malevolent as the old Challenger …”
More world-weary… like a hired killer who wants to get out of the game, but can’t because their skills are still so in-demand….
“… like a hired killer who wants to get out of the game, but can’t because their skills are still so in-demand….”
Happens more often than you’d think.
This styling is a huge disappointment. The last Challenger was a masterpiece, and this isn’t.
The distinctive features of the 08-23 Challenger that have it a strong resemblance to muscle cars of yore:
-Long wide hood with almost no slope.
-Fairly square roofline.
-A beltline that’s quite straight until it takes a large, obvious, angular kick up at the rear pillar, giving the coke bottle look.
-Iconic slotted grille, with round headlights in the grille.
This new one has:
-A hood with much more slope
-A much rounder roofline
-A beltline that brings up 2009 Eclipse more than any muscle car(look up a picture, it really looks like an eclipse)
-A much narrower grille slot with no round headlights
-A dorky looking lower bumper/splitter with some very non-muscle-car weird and unnecessary creases that make it look like a 2018 Lexus
So…. They took all the things that made the old Challenger great, and that brought up classic muscle cars, and reduced or eliminated all of those things. Was their design brief really “make it look like a muscle car, kinda, but without the coke bottle styling that is kind of the one hallmark of muscle car design, and generally worse than the last one”?
I’d love to see some Adrian Clarke input.
Unrelated: I’m betting that it comes with the 3.0 Hurricane, and a 2.0 turbo 4cyl version of the same motor. I expect a next generation Wrangler having these two engine options. If we’re lucky, they will finally phase out the Pentastar(good riddance!)
…..but this is the Charger, not the Challenger.
This is replacing both the four door charger and two door challenger. Since it’s two door, I consider it to be the successor to the challenger, not the charger. They called it a Charger, not a Challenger because electric cars charge and it’s electric(sometimes anyways).
Styling wise, it shares absolutely nothing with the four door charger.
The Charger should never have been a 4 door anyway. they had a kind of unique way to hide the extra doors in the form of clamshells in the early 2000ish showcar, but even then that should have been a Coronet and a 2 door version could have been the proper charger. Or better yet they could have used Coronet and GTX
Counterpoint – it being called the charger was a significant reason it did so well for an otherwise OK sedan
Yeah, and they had the Challenger name available for a coupe – in this day and age, there isn’t enough demand for coupes to have multiple models in different segments, its one or none, and DaimlerChrysler obviously felt like Charger was more iconic than any historical sedan names (although, I’d argue Polara would have been fine)
Polara should be the name of the first Dodge EV I would think.
I was about to agree with your comment, until you said “good riddance” about the Pentastar.
Chrysler is making a big mistake unless the Hurricane is truly epic.
Search an auto sale site for 8-12 year old cars. Sort by mileage, high to low. Then look at what powers all those “highly experienced” vehicles. At the top of the list you’ll find an unexpectedly huge number of cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks powered by the Chrysler Pentastar engine.
I’ve had two Pentastar engines (still have one of them) and they’ve been efficient and powerful, quiet and smooth, and literally nothing has gone wrong with either of them. Not even an O2 sensor. And neither has burned enough oil between changes to even notice, even while using watery 5w-20.
The only V6s that I think are better are made by Toyota. I’ll miss it when it’s gone. The Pentastar is definitely among the world’s greatest engines.
There is a very good chance the Hurricane will be superior to the Pentastar. Almost every straight six made in the last 30 years is legendary. Jeep 4.0, Atlas/Vortec 4200, Ford 300, Nissan RB, Toyota 2JZ, and of course every Cummins.
The main reason I don’t like the Pentastar is because it’s the reason we’ve had 18(!) years of lame v6 powered not torquey jeeps. And what I’ve heard from mechanics is that Pentastar aren’t total junk, but that they are especially prone to lifter and VVT issues.
I would also like to see our goth uncle provide his perspective … and fwiw, I also saw a hint of Eclipse in the rear three-quarter view.
I was looking specifically at how the beltline dips down a LOT right behind the front wheel and then follows a gradual slope along the door to the back, which is what those last generation eclipses did. This being very different from the Challenger beltline that’s straight as an arrow from the headlight to the rear pillar.
Put me down for $20 that they deliver it to dealers with blue corner protectors for the front splitter. Because yellow is so 2022 and it’s electric, so blue or green will be trendy.
Waiting for the Pentastar version
I’ll have to see one on the street before deciding whether I like it or not, but right off the top, this is much more of a Charlenger than a Charger. Based on the limited pictures, it still looks like the best version of the Charger since the model flew the coupe.
This is exactly what I was thinking – Dodge is economizing on “sedan” models so figures it’ll split the difference between two separate products.
This is definitely the electric version Charger Daytona and not the regular ICE Charger.