It is a historical moment – Dodge's internal combustion engine-powered Charger and Challenger will soon be discontinued. But you get one last shot at owning one. You should act fast.
First thing first, if you're a HEMI-loving gearhead who believes there's no replacement for displacement, then making sure you get your hands on a brand-new Charger or Challenger should be at the top of today's to-do list.
The Michigan-based automaker told its dealers for some time now that July 31 would be the last day it accepts new orders for the iconic Charger and Challenger. That day is here. Production of these muscle cars will end on December 31.
Two weeks ago, we told you about Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis' message regarding this decision to kill the eight-cylinder powerplant. The executive confirmed that it was "truly the last call for the Last Call," a reference to the special editions celebrating these vehicles' legacies.
These distinctive trims include special paints (like B5 Blue, Plum Crazy, and Sublime Green), among other things. They are available in some European countries too.
Photo: Dodge
The Charger is available with the following limited-edition builds: King Daytona Special Edition, Super Bee Special Edition, Swinger Special Edition, and Blacktop Special Edition.
The Challenger gets the wild Demon 170 trim that puts 1,025 hp under its hood for the first (and last) time, the Black Ghost spec, the Shakedown Special Edition, the Swinger Special Edition, and the Blacktop Special Edition.
Most recently, both cars benefitted from the Mopar treatment which was just a way of announcing a limited run of murdered-out Chargers and Challengers.
Europeans won't be able to buy the Charger King Daytona and the Challenger SRT Demon 170, so these might have more appeal for North American buyers looking to park some cash in a vehicle that probably won't ever be a liability, but an asset (unless driven as it was meant to).
Photo: FCA
Updating everything for the last time
Considering it's the end of a remarkable era in American automotive history, the automaker anticipated serious growth in buyer interest. To make these prospective customers even more eager to spend their money, Dodge doubled down and gave us many options to choose from. It also unlocked more personalization possibilities.
At the time of writing, Dodge still lists seven "basic" Charger trims. These are as follows:
SXT - $34,230 ($37,830 for the all-wheel-drive version);
GT - $36,930 ($39,930 for the all-wheel-drive version;
R/T - $43,970;
Scat Pack – $50,330;
Scat Pack Widebody - $56,325;
SRT Hellcat Widebody – $82,650;
SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak - $91,250.
The two-door Challenger shares a similar sale strategy and is still available in ten trims. Here they are:
SXT - $31,965 ($34,965 for the all-wheel-drive version);
GT – 35,265 ($38,265 for the all-wheel-drive version);
R/T - $40,805;
R/T Scat Pack - $48,265;
R/T Scat Pack Widebody - $54,260;
SRT Hellcat Jailbreak - $72,290;
SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak - $78,690;
SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak - $80,895;
SRT Hellcat Widebody Redeye Jailbreak - $87,295;
SRT Super Stock - $89,300.
The Charger R/T and Challenger R/T come as standard with the '345' bright fender badge instead of the 'HEMI' designation. The darkened-out badge is reserved for the Blacktop pack-equipped models.
Photo: Dodge
But no matter what Charger or Challenger you order today, the unit will boast a special commemorative underhood plaque. It will confirm that you were once an integral part of the lucky people who got their hands on a brand-new V8-powered Dodge sedan.
But it won't be as simple as buying a Tesla or a Rivian.
Don't tread lightly
Even though so many variations of the Charger and Challenger are still available today, July 31, 2023, it's important to remember that dealers have the last word. They know what the factory currently accepts, which means some of the abovementioned trims may be unavailable already. Pricing may also be volatile if intermediaries want to (and they most likely will) make bank on this development. Values are already on an uptrend.
Make sure your phone's charged and you have enough time and funds available to secure an allocation for a HEMI-powered Dodge before they go away forever.
Photo: Benny Kirk/autoevolution
The Charger has lived a long life. It's 57 years old, whereas its two-door brother will become a part of American car history after 54 years of production. Electrification is taking over the iconic muscle car brand. Downsizing plus making battery-electric vehicles will be the name of the game for Dodge.
The Charger Daytona EV has a challenging mission ahead of it, and its market launch will determine the future of the Stellantis-owned brand.
Finally, even though some suspected that Dodge would eventually pull the plug on the Durango as well, the SUV will live on because most Americans today like driving high-riding vehicles. It'll remain the brand's only V8-powered model because the Hornet is just a redesigned Alfa Romeo Tonale.
If you're feeling melancholic, then make sure to check out our list of the 50 best Dodge models of all time. Maybe it'll help put things into a different perspective and provide some comfort.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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