The Final Chapter: Last Week Marks the Sunset for the V-8 Powerhouses
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| Dodge |
The grand finale has arrived for the legendary V-8-powered muscle cars that have etched their place in automotive history. Bid adieu to the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and the iconic Chrysler 300 as they gracefully bowed out of production in Brampton, Ontario, last week.
Ceasing the heartbeat of these powerhouses is the closure of production for the L platform, the architectural backbone of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger since their inception in 2004. The curtain fell with the production of the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170, adorned in the captivating hue of Pitch Black.
Prepare for a phoenix to rise from these automotive ashes. The Charger and Challenger are set to make a triumphant return in 2024, donning new avatars equipped with inline-six and electric powertrains. Meanwhile, the 300's legacy will be indirectly carried forward by the emergence of cutting-edge electric vehicles in the coming years.
In a nostalgic climax to the era of roaring engines, the last 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger gracefully emerged from the Stellantis' Brampton Assembly Plant on December 22. Automotive News Canada broke the news, and a Dodge spokesperson later confirmed the poignant moment, revealing that the final Chrysler 300 had rolled off the production line just two days earlier.
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| Dodge |
The parting Charger, a Scat Pack widebody model swathed in the commanding Destroyer Gray, shared the spotlight with the Challenger's grand farewell—a Pitch Black SRT Demon 170. An insider's glimpse, captured in now-private Facebook photos, showcased factory workers basking in the final moments, standing proudly beside the coupe flaunting dazzling gold wheels.
The roots of these three American giants trace back to the L platform's introduction in 2005 with the Chrysler 300, a vehicle that transcended its automotive identity to become a cultural icon in the hip-hop scene. Embodying Bentley-inspired opulence fused with unapologetic American swagger, the 300 left an indelible mark.
Following suit, the Charger graced the scene in 2006, and the Challenger roared in with its presence in 2008. Both rear-wheel-drive marvels brought the thunder of V-8 muscle to the masses, starring in jaw-dropping burnout spectacles with their formidable 5.7-liter HEMI engines. The introduction of the SRT Hellcat models in 2015 elevated the duo to legendary status, boasting supercharged 6.2-liter V-8s that unleashed over 700 horsepower, all at a surprisingly accessible price.
While the 300 bid farewell with the powerful 485-hp 6.4-liter HEMI-driven 2023 300C, the Charger and Challenger stole the limelight with a series of "Last Call" special editions, culminating in the Challenger SRT Demon 170. Capable of a staggering 1025 horsepower on E85 gasoline, it marked an unforgettable end to an era.
As the Brampton factory takes a hiatus for retooling over the next two years, anticipation builds for what lies ahead. A new paint shop and stamping lines will grace the factory, gearing up for the next phase starting in late 2025. The facility is set to churn out the next iteration of the Jeep Compass and other upcoming vehicles riding on the STLA Medium platform, featuring both internal-combustion and electric powertrains.
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| Dodge |
The successors to the Charger and Challenger, anticipated as a unified model teased by the Charger Daytona SRT concept, will emerge from Canada's Windsor Assembly Plant. Expect two- and four-door versions, with electric powertrains complemented by the latest Hurricane inline-six from Stellantis, boasting up to 510 horsepower as seen in current Jeep and Ram vehicles. Meanwhile, the Chrysler 300 bows out without a direct replacement, paving the way for a resurrection through a series of electrifying new EVs in the imminent future.
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