Charger Vs. Challenger

Podcast Episode: 0206
Why did the Charger and Challenger become one?

    How did we end up with Charger / Challenger siblings when they were both dedicated muscle cars in the beginning?  AutoLooks takes a look at how these two products, wound up on the same platform with only one winning there ultimate battle.

     Both born during the muscle car era, the Charger and Challenger were created to take on different parts of this segment.  With one being dedicated to the power side, the other was made to compete with the entry level pony cars.  But by the end of the 70's, both cars would eventually become one of the same.

     With the gas embargo of the 70's hitting the muscle car market hard, both the Charger and Challenger would fall hard, as big power moved aside for better fuel economy.  By the 80's, both models had merged onto one product line and become more fuel efficient.  Gone were the days of the power trip and in were the fuel efficient Mitsubishi models with nothing more than 6 cylinder by there side.

    Of of this would eventually change, as both models would disappear into the forgotten void of lost muscle cars.  As the 80's gave way to the growing 90's, the thought of there return was at hand, but with a change in favour to retro inspired products, the concept of both returning was becoming more relevant. 

   As the 90's gave way to the power hungry 00's and new wave of retro inspired products, the time had finally come for the return of the Charger.  Although returning as only a four door sedan, this new Charger would still return with the power we all demanded, as its release brought us a new power hungry V8.  But demand for a coupe sibling was high and with the release of the new Camaro, a competitor for the new Pony Wars, was at hand.

     A new Challenger would soon arrive to save the day, as Dodge seemed uninterest in bringing us a new two-door Charger.  But, as the Challenger was more in line with the original pony car wars, it was a better fit for the market.  

    Now with both the Charger and Challenger back, Dodge had its power duo and was ready to take on the world of muscle car supremacy.  But, as fate would have it, the demand for coupes would drop along with a new power source entering the market.  And as like before, the market would start to shift away from power and more to fuel conservation. 

    As the EV and Hydrogen age is upon us, it seems that the future is not bright for the two muscle cars from Dodge.  But, as luck would have it, both models will merge to become one for the EV market.  Adding both a sedan and coupe back to the Charger nameplate, Dodge is poised to bring us an EV and 6-cylinder powered Charger for our power conscious future.  But, will it be what we want or just another faded nameplate, like what happened in the 80's?  And will the Challenger be able to come back as well?  These are the questions you will find out about on this podcast.

Everett J.
​#autolooks