Is Dodge Preparing Gas Chargers and Challengers After All?

Leaked Challenger Factory Pictures Suggest an Internal Combustion Version

While Dodge continues with what is quote plausibly the longest ever cull of anything, ever as the Charger and Challenger, as we know them head for the gallows to be replaced by EVs, images have emerged to suggest that gas versions of those cars may very well also still be on the cards.

We know that an electric version of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept is on the way. Now however, it seems that electric versions will not necessarily replace those ICE models. Will the EVs rather simply complement the electric models?

Why Would an EV Have a Transmission Tunnel?

Pictures posted to the Challenger Talk forums and elsewhere depict a body-in-white version of the two-door muscle car that appears to be a production version of the Daytona SRT Concept. Interestingly however and flying straight in the face of conventional next-gen EV-only wisdom. The chassis in the pictures appears to be gas driveline-ready, rather than an EV.

Look closely. Why is there still a transmission tunnel there? Surely if it’s an electric vehicle, then it would have a flat floor to sit atop the batteries? So why the need for a tunnel? That suggests that this chassis is ready to swallow up a good old gas engine’s transmission and a driveshaft.

Look a little closer. Those versed in car manufacture will soon notice the chassis is also ready to accommodate a longitudinally mounted powerplant in the, shall we call it an engine bay? Which would make a great home for Stellantis’ new Hurricane straight-six. Or even a good old Hemi V8 in top models. And why is there place for a gas filler?

This Next Gen Chassis Seems Set to be Gas Powered

Getting back to the concept, it packed a four-figure horsepower electric drivetrain, but there’s also been a fair bit of speculation that an ICE version of the car would still be possible. And because it will ride on the STLA Large platform, it can be configured either way, which is something that Stellantis has neither denied, nor confirmed.

But while we await official confirmation that Dodge will offer both gas and electric drivetrains, these images clearly speak for themselves. This Challenger chassis appears ready for an internal combustion drivetrain, something that will no doubt thrill the Mopar petrol head stunned by the prospect of an EV-only Dodge future.

Images: Challenger Talk

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Michele Lupini

Once a handy engine and chassis tuner, and a combative racer and rally driver, Michele took up the pen to express his passion for cars, racing and motoring over 30 years ago. He published South Africa’s go-to enthusiast motor magazines Cars in Action and Bakkie — some say against all odds — for a quarter century. In that time, Michele had a hand in nurturing many of South Africa's motoring media leaders. Today Michele keeps himself busy with his a range of international motoring media duties alongside his own theauto.page. And a little racing on the side.