There’s no American muscle car more iconic than the Dodge Charger. In fact, your local Dodge dealer is practically a tribute to the history of this amazing vehicle. The Charger has seen it all; from a stylish two-door coupe to a powerful sedan, the modern car industry wouldn’t be where it is without the Dodge Charger.
Seven Generations of Awesome
Your local Dodge dealer can trace the Charger back to 1966 when it first this the road. Of course, several concept cars were released as early as 1964 to pave the way. This beast practically defined the muscle car that we know today.
The first generation only lasted a year. It was meant to compete with cars like the AMC Rambler Marlin, Ford Mustang, and Ford Camaro. What made this first-generation Charger stand out was its luxurious interior. It had four bucket seats and a full-length center console.
The second generation was made especially famous by movies like The Fast and the Furious. Thanks to the massive Hemi engine, this coupe could go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. When the third generation hit the market, shoppers could choose between several engine options and a fresh new look, including a center-split front grille.
Muscle cars seemed to lose some popularity as drivers started pining for more comfort and convenience. Dodge tried to meet this need by offering a new design and fresh interior elements. Of course, this meant some sacrifices under the hood. The fifth generation tried to appeal to drivers who wanted better fuel economy. Dodge attempted to reduce the weight of the Charger, which didn’t necessarily help its overall look or capability. These two generations of less popular Chargers led to the car being taken off of the production line in 1987.
After some time away, the Charger came back in full force for its sixth generation in 2006. This car was again a muscle car. It had new engines, better fuel economy, and five-second zero to 60 time. This was also when Dodge offered a four-door Charger, which added more room inside and an attractive new look.
By the time the seventh generation hit the road in 2011, muscle cars were back in demand. Drivers could now get the famous 6.2-liter Supercharged Hellcat engine along with the 6.4-liter Hemi option. A visit to your Dodge dealer meant seeing tons of trims, upgrade, options, and raw power.
The Future of The Charger
The Dodge Charger as we know it will end with its eighth generation, even though many consider it a continuation of the seventh generation. The Charger can come equipped with a massive 797-horsepower Hellcat Redeye for the first time ever. This monster can hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and is the perfect vehicle for drivers who need speed.
The Challenge may disappear in name, but the spirit of this iconic vehicle will love on in Dodge’s new eMuscle car brands. Dodge is putting some serious stock in creating fully electric vehicles that will embody classic vehicles like the Dodge Challenger and Charger. There isn’t a ton of information available right now, but you can stop by your local Dodge dealer for updates.
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