The term “muscle car” is used to talk about a wide variety of high-performance vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and the Dodge Charger.
While all of these automobiles technically fall under the definition of a muscle car, only one of them has the practical feature of coming with four doors: the Dodge Charger.
A Brief History of Muscle Cars
In the 1960s, young drivers seemed to flock towards affordable, attractive, and powerful cars. Almost every movie that takes place in this time period makes some reference to street racing, restoring, or showing off these beautiful vehicles.
While early muscle cars had the iconic rumble and roar associated with their massive engines, they weren’t particularly fuel-efficient. Gas didn’t cost as much back then as it does now, and we didn’t know the full environmental impacts of using fossil fuels.
Ultimately, muscle cars lost steam in the 1970s as auto manufacturers focused more on improving fuel economy, luxury features, and safety features. That doesn’t mean muscle cars disappeared, but they did lose popularity.
The Dodge Charger hit the scene in 1966 and became an instant hit. Today, it’s the only four-door sedan with a V8 engine under $40,000. It’s the only genuine muscle car with a backseat.
The Modern Charger Is Making History
The Dodge Charger has gone through a number of facelifts and refreshes over the years. Today’s version is as sleek and stylish as they come. Drivers have several engine options, but the SRT Hellcat Redeye is one of those powertrains that historians will talk about. This beast is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that offers a massive 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Of course, there are several other V8 engines offered that will also deliver the power you crave.
Most people wouldn’t call the modern Charger a luxury vehicle. That doesn’t mean you aren’t treated with a little sophistication, but Dodge kept its focus on being practical over anything else. You can have either a 7.0-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen where you’ll enjoy standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Future of The Dodge Charger
Rumor has it that Dodge is cooking up a fully electric version of the Charger called the Dodge eMuscle. It’s not clear if this new EV will be more like the Charger, the Challenger, or a combination of the two, but all signs seem to be pointing towards a new version of the Charger is coming, even if a Challenger model hits the road first.
There’s not a lot of information available on this EV just yet, but we know that it’s coming for the 2024 model year. Based on some of Dodge’s announcements, the new Charger could have a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge. You can also expect this futuristic monster to have on-demand access to some incredible electric power.
It’s only fitting that a vehicle as historic as the Dodge Charger also be part of Dodge’s future. Keep an eye out for new information, or stop by your local Dodge dealer to learn more.
Until then, there’s no better time to pack up the family and test drive the only four-door muscle car on the road. It’s time to consider adding a Dodge Charger to your garage.
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