Unlike the S650 seventh-generation Ford Mustang, GM's iconic Chevrolet Camaro, or even its Dodge Charger sibling, the fate of the Challenger is currently unknown.
Let us take them one by one. The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ceased production for the Cabriolet model back in November 2023, and then in December, the last coupe was also manufactured. According to the company, this is not the end of the legendary nameplate, but currently, no successor is planned.
The Blue Oval enthusiasts are the happiest American pony and muscle car fans. This is because the S650 seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang is rocking on its ICE-powered credentials with 315-hp EcoBoost and 480/486 plus 500-hp Coyote 5.0-liter V8 confidence in GT and Dark Horse form. Even better, an 800-hp Mustang GTD is also coming as a limited-edition supercar.
On the Mopar side of the equation, the Charger's fate is sealed – starting late in 2024; it will come back as the Charger Daytona with EV powertrains and a classic two-door fastback coupe body style instead of horsing around as a muscle sedan. However, no one really knows what will happen with the Challenger nameplate after production also ceased in December. As such, maybe it's best to cherish the moments we have with the current iteration. Unfortunately, that won't be possible in the video feature embedded below.
The videographer behind the Wheels channel on YouTube is a big fan of Bandimere Speedway (aka Thunder Mountain) in Colorado and Canada's Mission Raceway Park but also loves The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway because it usually challenges expectations. Well, on this occasion, the Challenger was the one challenged, frankly. Or, at least, its driver had some trouble understanding what quarter-mile dragstrip racing is all about.
The short feature started gloriously with an S550 Ford Mustang GT and a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat looking like two peas of the same pod – they were both knights in white shining armor packing black aftermarket wheels and matching black rear wings. Alas, only one of the drivers knew what they were doing as the Mustang GT took off without spinning the tires and quickly took command of the race. Obviously, given the power difference, the Hellcat had a good chance for a comeback – if only the driver hadn't stomped on the brakes a lot earlier than he or she was supposed to!
As such, the result was pretty understandable – the Mustang GT took home the first victory with a 13.37s pass versus the opponent's shameful 15.84s ET. Secondly, a 'black sheep of the family' Charger came out to confront the white Ford Mustang GT, but again, the latter was quicker off the start line and ultimately got the electronic scoreboard to side with it despite the 13.66s versus 13.47s pass.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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