Dodge confirms electric muscle car is coming: Challenger replacement set to ditch supercharged V8 for batteries

Dodge may seem like an unlikely candidate for electric vehicles, given its current line-up is underpinned by a 600kW supercharged V8 known as the Hellcat, but that’s not enough to stop it from making the switch.

The American brand has come to rely on its Challenger coupe and Charger sedan as the backbone of its range, but with parent company Stellantis planning to sell 40 per cent of its vehicles in the USA with battery power by the end of the decade, not even Dodge can ignore electrification.

That’s why the brand has teased what it has dubbed the world’s first “American eMuscle” car. The image appears to show a 1968 Charger with modern LED lights and a new triangular logo, but the car is obscured by tyre smoke from a four-wheel burnout. That suggests the new electric muscle car will boast all-wheel drive to help tame its electric performance. 

Read More About Dodge

Is the Dodge Challenger coming to take on the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro? Dodge adds new supercharged V8 Hellcat models to forbidden-in-Australia muscle car fleet for 2021 Does Australia need more car brands? Rivian, Acura, Dodge and others that could make a splash Down Under

Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said the decision to switch to electric has been driven by finding more performance as much as a desire to build cleaner cars, admitting the Hellcat has been stretched to its limits.

“Even for a brand that’s known for pushing it a bit too far, we’ve pushed this pedal to the floor,” Kuniskis said. “Our engineers are reaching a practical limit of what we can squeeze from internal combustion innovation. We know electric motors can give us more, and if we know of a technology that can give our customers an advantage we have an obligation to embrace it to keep them in the lead. We won’t sell electric vehicles, we’ll sell more motors. Better, faster Dodges.”

The Dodge eMuscle car will be based on the STLA Large platform, which will also underpin the new Ram Toyota HiLux rival and an all-new Jeep off-roader. According to Stellantis the STLA Large will have a driving range of up to 800km and utilise an 800-volt electrical system that will allow for ultra-rapid charging. The company also said the largest motor will be capable of making up to 330kW, which may be well short of the Hellcat, but not if Dodge can fit a pair of them for all-wheel drive, tyre-frying performance.

For now we’ll have to wait until 2024 to see the finished product and hope Stellantis Australia decides to revive the Dodge brand down under.