Dodge Uses Special Edition Muscle Cars to Usher in EVs

Last July Stellantis announced a plan to invest over $35 billion in the development of electric vehicles through 2025. And while the announcement blended in with similar declarations throughout the automotive sector, it had to stand out for those still attached to iconic gasoline-powered brands … like, maybe Dodge.Well, if the writing was on the wall last summer, it’s now on screens and desks throughout the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker. Earlier this week Dodge announced it will unveil seven special edition Charger and Challenger models in 2023 as a goodbye to the muscle cars that put it on the map in the late 1960s.According to a release from the company, “The Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, in current form, are coming to an end.” But they’ll be going out in style.Next year, Dodge will produce seven gas-powered commemorative models that the company is describing as "heritage-influenced" to “celebrate in true, over-the-top Dodge style." There’s no word on whether the company’s Chief Donut Office will be involved.While Dodge is talking about the end of an era in retiring the Charger and Challenger, some reports indicate that Dodge could follow the path of Ford’s latest Mustang, with electric versions of both models potentially appearing down the road.In fact, earlier this week an electric concept of the Charger was unveiled.The gas-powered Challenger and Charger both outsold the Mustang last year, with just over 78k Chargers being sold, followed by 54k Challengers, along with just over 52k Mustangs. While no preliminary designs have been released for the grand farewell, Dodge is touting the return of several colors from the vehicle’s past, as well as an expansion of the popular SRT Jailbreak options that allow buyers to customize the paint color, and other aesthetics like pinstriping, model badges, brake caliper colors, tires, wheel designs and interior features like the seats and steering wheel.A commemorative brushed aluminum "Last Call" plaque will also be placed under the vehicle’s hoods.More details on six of the models will be released later this year, with the final vehicle being unveiled at the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA show in early November.The cars will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis at Dodge’s top-selling dealerships.