Muscle cars put on ice: 'Last call' for Dodge Charger, Challenger V8s

Two of Dodge's most iconic "muscle" cars will soon lose their tone. Beginning in December 2023, the Dodge Charger and Challenger will no longer feature the sound, feel, and smell of the V8 internal combustion engine as the company transitions ever further to electric vehicle formats.

"We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright new electrified future — by staying true to our brand,” said Dodge Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis. "At Dodge, we never lift, and the brand will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in the current form in the same way that got us here, with a passion both for our products and our enthusiasts that drives us to create as much uniqueness in the muscle car community and marketplace as possible."

And Dodge is certainly looking to retire the old-engine muscle cars with a bang. Six new versions of the cars will debut in the next few weeks, while a seventh is set to debut at the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas this November, according to Fox News.

In addition, each 2023 Challenger and Charger model will be outfitted with a "Last Call" decal on its hood. The cost for the cars varies considerably, from low $30,000s to $90,000 for the Hellcat model.

Should buyers prefer a convertible model, they will have the opportunity to retrofit a convertible top onto the Challenger model — for a price. The added convertible top will tack an additional $26,000 onto the bottom line.

Though the move to an electric version of the two cars is drastic, the Challenger and Charger have undergone a major renovation before. The two were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s, but were then shelved for nearly two decades, often in favor of models that better accorded with newly imposed environmental regulations.

Dodge then reintroduced the Charger in 2005 and the Challenger three years later. Both cars have been manufactured at the Dodge factor in Brampton, Ontario, in Canada ever since.

Dodge expects to release an electric muscle car in 2024.