Photo: adry53customs/instagram
Dodge is currently working to build the next step in its muscle car history and while the company has shown it has serious intentions of keeping this side of its lineup alive, we can't be certain about the details of the next-generation models set to land over the course of this decade. So, is there any place in there for the Dart? We'll try to answer this question with the help of a majestic rendering portraying a new-age Dart that returns to the muscle car formula.
The most recent Dart, which played its part in the early and mid-2010s, made for the automaker's first compact sedan since 2005, when the Neon was retired. And, despite certain SRT efforts, the FIAT-shared FWD platform simply didn't offer the kind of driving experience that would be worthy of the name - this is true especially if we refer to the fourth-gen Dart, which pleased muscle car enthusiasts for a full decade, starting from the mid-1960s.
Well, the pixel painting we have here, which comes from digital artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel, delivers a modern take on that formula, with the resemblance becoming even easier to spot when the two are placed next to each other.
The "baby Challenger" look is augmented by plenty of styling references to the said classic toy, which makes for some serious eye candy. Besides, such a machine would allow Dodge to battle the smaller Mustang and Camaro directly, not that the casting-a-larger-shadow Challenger has trouble fighting the said opponents as far as sales go.
Of course, a world where Dodge's range involves multiple performance coupes sounds like a dream that may be extremely difficult to achieve, especially now that the market has shifted its attention to SUVs.
So, for the time being, we can be glad that Dodge has managed to keep the Challenger and Charger alive, as amazing muscle cars. Besides, the carmaker has decided to give its muscle SUV, the Durango, performance versions (a Hellcat will soon be one-upping the current 475 hp SRT range-topper) rather than using one of its Golden Era nameplates for such a high-rider.
In fact, the latest rumors talk about the Challenger getting an American Club Racer edition, offered in SRT and Hellcat Redeye forms, while the Barracuda could return as a convertible.
And here's to hoping that the next generation of Dodge muscle cars will be as awesome as the clues the company has dropped so far.
Well, the pixel painting we have here, which comes from digital artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel, delivers a modern take on that formula, with the resemblance becoming even easier to spot when the two are placed next to each other.
The "baby Challenger" look is augmented by plenty of styling references to the said classic toy, which makes for some serious eye candy. Besides, such a machine would allow Dodge to battle the smaller Mustang and Camaro directly, not that the casting-a-larger-shadow Challenger has trouble fighting the said opponents as far as sales go.
Of course, a world where Dodge's range involves multiple performance coupes sounds like a dream that may be extremely difficult to achieve, especially now that the market has shifted its attention to SUVs.
So, for the time being, we can be glad that Dodge has managed to keep the Challenger and Charger alive, as amazing muscle cars. Besides, the carmaker has decided to give its muscle SUV, the Durango, performance versions (a Hellcat will soon be one-upping the current 475 hp SRT range-topper) rather than using one of its Golden Era nameplates for such a high-rider.
In fact, the latest rumors talk about the Challenger getting an American Club Racer edition, offered in SRT and Hellcat Redeye forms, while the Barracuda could return as a convertible.
And here's to hoping that the next generation of Dodge muscle cars will be as awesome as the clues the company has dropped so far.
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