Denied a Horsepower Hike for 2019, Dodge Grants the Charger a 2020 Bump
Dodge’s Charger and Challenger are rolling anachronisms we’ll miss after they’re gone. For now, the two full-size rear-drivers soldier on into the future atop their ancient underpinnings, with Fiat Chrysler bestowing an ever-growing list of variants upon still-interested buyers.
The latest corrects what some Mopar fans may have viewed as an oversight. Last year, following the release of the long-teased Challenger SRT Demon, Dodge pushed the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter up to 717 horses, giving would-be buyers 10 more reasons to desire the model. A Redeye version delivered 797 hp, a downgrade (if it can really be called that) from the limited-edition Demon’s 840 hp.
Meanwhile, the Charger was left to “suffer” with only 707 hp. Not anymore.
After introducing widebody versions of the Hellcat and Scat Pack Chargers for 2020, Dodge has bestowed an extra 10 hp upon its super sedan, though buyers had best act fast — this word salad of a model doesn’t come with an indefinite supply.
Officially called the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition (*draws deep breath*), this Charger variant packs the same 717 hp found in the Challenger SRT Hellcat and dons a retro paint scheme designed to remind you of the year of the moon landing. Regular Charger Hellcats remain at 707 hp and the same 650 lb-ft of torque as found in the Daytona.
Inside, trim-specific stitching and badging abounds, and you’ll find your instrument panel swathed in carbon fiber.
Featuring 20-inch wheels, a lip spoiler (no high-flying wing, sorry), and four paint choices — one of them, B5 Blue, being exclusive to this model — the Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition is limited to 501 examples, with orders opening in the fall. That production figure mirrors that of the original, short-lived 1969 Charger Daytona.
Pricing has not been announced, but customers should expect to gain delivery early next year. Those of you eager to see yet another version of FCA’s venerable power twins in the flesh had best head down to the Woodward Dream Cruise this weekend (specifically, the Modern Street Hemi Shootout Lot in Pontiac, Michigan).
[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
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The Charger and Challenger will not last much longer so this is the last hurrah for American made rear wheel drive muscle cars. I don't believe there is enough market for these vehicles and that is why FCA has not done a major redesign of these vehicles.
I for one hope that FCA just keeps making LX sedans until the market says "no more". If we can't have a redesign, they should just keep doing mild refreshes on the cheap indefinitely. The tooling has long been paid for!