Later this year, Dodge will give us the first proper taste of its future muscle cars. The Mopar people are scheduled to introduce a functional electric muscle concept that’s set to become a production reality in 2024 (possibly as 2025 model). However, in an alternative universe, a digital artist has painted a mid-engined layout for the next-gen Charger. And while the plan isn’t exactly perfect, the strong sales of the C8 Corvette and the early demise of the Viper mean that the Mopar team could use such a layout.
Dodge’s real-world plan, which is to move its muscle cars into electric territory, is based on solid arguments. For starters, if the company is to leverage on its tremendous heritage, offering the first electric muscle car (no, the Mustang Mach E crossover doesn’t count) seems like the proper way to do it.
The EV architecture, with its skateboard setup that keeps the batteries in the floor and places rather compact motors within the axles, means proportions can be redefined. However, since we mentioned tradition, Dodge is obviously going to remain close to the shapes that have defined its front-engined muscle cars since the 1960s.
A mid-engine Charger with electric bones?
This rendering contradicts the logic mentioned above, bringing us a Charger with a midship layout. The pixel master known as tuningcar_ps skipped the obvious base, which would be the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve concept of the early 2000s, going for the late 1990s Volkswagen W12 show car instead. So, what does the 2D work achieve, then?
For one, it demonstrates that the current Charger design, which is less retro-influenced than the look of the contemporary Challenger, would make a brilliant midship offering—you can easily notice the front fascia of the muscle car, as well as the retro-borrowed scallops on the sides.
Then there’s the fact that such a rendering seems to boost our desire for a Viper revival. You see, the previous decade has seen Detroit’s Big Three having to fully face the change brought by electrification. GM chose to keep the Corvette alive by introducing the first mid-engined model in over 60 years of production (here’s a C8 interior swap for a Camaro). Unfortunately, FCA, which has subsequently merged with PSA to form Stellantis, gave up on its U.S. supercar.
Sure, the Viper had about a third of the ‘Vette’s heritage (bluntly measured in years, since it held the fort for 26 years before being axed in 2017). But that still amounts to something important. As I was fortunate to find out from behind the wheel, the American supercar could give Italian exotics a headache for only a fraction of the cost. Alas, imposing looks and brutal driving dynamics weren’t everything, and sales were slow.
A battery-powered Viper revival seems like a good idea
Of course, many of us wonder what would’ve happened if Dodge had chosen the same path as Chevy, namely reinventing the formula for a successor.
So, while putting the engine in the middle would theoretically move the vehicle upmarket, coming up with a budget-conscious choice that would speak to U.S. customers instead of chasing European supercars might’ve been the winning formula. After all, the average American car lover isn’t as crazy for the high-budget exotics as people over on the Old Continent, with performance that is within financial reach being more desirable.
Battery power? Sure, the Corvette, which is currently offered in base C8 and racing-bred Z06 forms, is also expected to get an all-electric iteration by the end of the decade (and a hybrid one). For the record, another Stellantis brand, Maserati, already marches on the ICE and EV avenue with its MC20 supercar, but we’re looking at a $200k-$300k offering in this case.
Returning to what Dodge is preparing for the real world, the carmaker’s e-muscle should make for one of the most thrilling driving experiences in the segment, so I’m looking forward to the unveiling.
