The news from the Automobile Magazine discussion with
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne continues to trickle out and today, we look at
the future of the Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Charger.
The Dodge Challenger has remained virtually unchanged since
being introduced in 2008 with the exceptions of new engines, new transmission
and more power.It has been rumored that
the next generation Challenger would depart from the full sized platform shared
with the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 but according to Automobile Magazine –
the next generation Challenger could arrive as soon as 2014 and when it does,
it will still share “DNA” with the sedans.
While there are no specifics, it sure sounds like the 2014
Dodge Challenger will still be built on some form of the large (and heavy) LX
platform.Because of that, we probably
won’t be getting a more compact Challenger that will better compete (in terms
of dimensions) with the likes of the Mustang and Camaro but we can expect that
the new Challenger will pack enough power to continue to attract lovers of big
power.
There are also suggestions that the Challenger could depart
from the Dodge brand, instead becoming the next vehicle under the SRT brand.However, unless the SRT brand expands their
offerings to include V6 and lower performance V8 models – the Challenger lineup
will not quite fit in with the direction of the SRT lineup.
The Dodge Charger got a pretty extensive refresh for the
2011 model year so it is still fairly fresh but come 2016, Automobile Magazine
reports that there will be a new generation of the Charger sedan.Little is known about this next gen Charger
shy of the facts that it will offer both a V6 and V8 engine, rear wheel drive
and all wheel drive, and that it will share a platform with the Chrysler 300
sedan.
Considering that the 2016 Dodge Charger is still some 4
model years away, a great deal could change but we would expect that the next
generation Charger would still derive its power from some form of the Pentastar
V6 along with some form of the Hemi V8 engine family.We can almost be sure to see an 8-speed
automatic transmission for the V6, if not all of the engine options but sadly –
we wouldn’t bet on seeing a manual transmission in the option list.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
The news from the Automobile Magazine discussion with