Dodge Goes Out with a Bang

The last drive into the sunset just got a little faster

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The Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, in current form, are coming to an end, and the Dodge brand is seizing the opportunity to celebrate in true, over-the-top Dodge style. The Dodge 2023 lineup will pay homage to the muscle car pair with seven special models, the return of a rainbow of heritage colors (including Plum Crazy, shown at left), an expansion of SRT Jailbreak models, a commemorative “Last Call” underhood plaque for all 2023 Charger and Challenger vehicles and a new, customer-focused vehicle allocation process.

Ever see that guy on the street with the sign, “The end is near”? Generally, we just pass by and act as if it’s not, seeing that these folks have a poor track record with their fire and brimstone. So when enthusiasts post similar sentiments as the industry moves towards electrification, I simply walk on because I don’t entertain alarmists.

But over at Dodge, the end is coming. We’ve known this since last year, but we didn’t quite know what it would look like. Dodge has done a fantastic job exploiting the prowess of a platform that’s somewhat antiquated in today’s world (marketing majors take note) thanks to the wonders of horsepower, but the Challenger and Charger can’t continue like this forever. As such, Dodge announced yesterday how it plans to move towards that moment of uncertainty where you feel like the world is ending.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, show in B5 Blue. Dodge brand will celebrate its 2023 model lineup through a number of new initiatives, including by bringing back three beloved heritage exterior colors: B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green. One popular modern color, Destroyer Grey, also returns to the fold.

The last time you’ll be able to buy a V8 Challenger and Charger will be for the 2023 model year. But you can count on Dodge for pulling out all the stops in making the swan song a smorgasbord of horsepower, with some surprises along the way. Glancing at the ClassicCars.com Journal crystal ball, we predict many Boomers will be buying these and storing them in garages for future Barrett-Jackson low-mile sales, so let’s se what Dodges may be their mothball of choice for 2023.

Officially, there will be seven special-edition models. These cars were teased at a Woodward Dream Cruise event yesterday, so the cat hasn’t completely been let out of the bag. Six of those will have a connection to “iconic” Dodges from the past, with the seventh to be revealed at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in November 2022 . “Heritage” colors will be Plum Crazy, B5 Blue, Sublime, and a modern hue called Destroyer Grey. Each Challenger and Charger will come with a “Last Call” plaque underhood.

But wait, there’s more! SRT Jailbreak models will be expanded to include 717-horsepower Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats. If you’re not familiar with Jailbreak models, you’re probably not familiar with Super Mario either so allow us to explain: for 2022, SRT Jailbreak models were introduced for the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody models where one has to “unlock” color combination ordering restrictions and exclusive content. For 2023, Jailbreak models will also be available for the 717-horse Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models.

Dodge dealerships will offer an expedited ordering process for aftermarket convertible modifications for the 2022 Dodge Challenger through Drop Top Customs, the oldest convertible coachbuilder in the U.S. Convertible aftermarket modifications through Drop Top Customs will also be available for the 2023 Dodge Challenger when orders open for the new model year.

Dodge also has a plan for distribution for 2023, again invoking a video game influence. “The entire 2023 Charger and Challenger model-year run will be allocated to dealerships all at once, helping customers identify and secure their dream cars more easily.” There’s an element of a treasure hunt to this, as Dodge will provide enthusiasts a guide for finding the location of the 2023 Challenger or Charger of their dreams via the DodgeGarage.com so you can learn more about the inventory of Dodge dealerships near and far.

If you like your Mopars and you like the sun, then maybe you will appreciate the officially sanctioned Challenger ragtop. Drop Top Customs, who claim the title of the oldest convertible coachbuilder in the U.S., will have Dodge send Challengers from Brampton, Ontario to Florida for the conversion, then back to a respective dealership. The cost to expose yourself to the sun while driving a new Mopar retails for $25,999. “Owners can order third-party modifications through our Dodge dealerships, and then pick up their finished convertible at the dealer once the vehicle is complete,” says Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer.

And if your performance needs run a little utilitarian, the
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is back for 2023 model year and ready to reclaim its rightful mantle as the most powerful SUV on the planet, once again fueled by the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine producing 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. Shown in Frostbite, a newly available color for the 2023 model year.

And if your performance needs run a little utilitarian, the Durango SRT Hellcat returns for 2023 after taking a year-long respite. A 710-horsepower three-row SUV capable of running 0-60 in 3.5 seconds may be the answer to the question that was never asked, but this is America, daggummit, and we’re a country of beaucoup de horsepower. Other performance benchmarks include a 180 mph top speed (perfect for late-night pizza delivery) and an NHRA-certified 11.5 ET down the 1320. And, to be sure, this isn’t just about dropping a 6.2-liter Hemi into the engine bay and seeing what havoc can be wreaked—it’s about creating a balanced performance vehicle that hauls the goods. Witness the rear spoiler that provides 140 pounds of downforce at 180 mpg, the piston-cooling oil jets, the sodium-cooled exhaust valves, and dedicated cooling circuits.

If it’s feeling like 1970, I don’t blame ya, but the Malaise Era is not around the corner. Whatever performance tool you pick—Hellcat or eMuscle—go have some fun.

14 COMMENTS

  1. Like life is so bad here?? How’s about we drop the political poop and keep it about cars here? Let there be just a few fun places like this where the Hatfields and the McCoys aren’t shooting at each other. It’s just getting tiresome.

  2. fact is—-if we do not talk more about saving our good old usa——it will seize to exist–as we know. President of Russia said not a shot will be fired—–the voters will take down our good ole USA.

  3. Getting back to talking about MOPAR automobiles for a moment, I am hoping (and praying) that the “Last Call” includes vehicles with MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS!!!!

  4. Stellantis (there’s a forgettable name) has said Dodge will continue to be a performance-oriented icon. Does that mean—-all electric? Or, nothing? I’m keeping my 2008 AWD Dodge Magnum (last year of production), which every year looks lower, sleeker and better than all the topheavy SUV blobs and boxes.

  5. Kerry, Gore and Gates should be having the swan song. The global climate initiative is an abhorrent scam. Maybe Dodge will make an e-pickup truck and trailer for people like the current resident of the White House and the ancient House Speaker to haul all the kickback $$$ they’re making from China in forcing us to go green.

  6. Shame on Dodge for killing off some of the greatest examples of automotive fun to date.
    Kudos for using their imagination to make us big block fans fantasize about owning one of the last
    true performance cars and pulling out all the stops on the great exterior looks.

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