Best Muscle Cars
Dodge’s Reluctant Harmony Between Muscle Cars and EVs
By Dave Ashton
If you are a fan of muscle cars or not, you are probably aware that Dodge is known for making muscular vehicles with healthy-sized V8s. Since the late 1960s, the V8 has ruled the roost. But, now we are going through a transition period where all cars have to become electric powered.
Dodge currently known for their Charger and Challenger models, has taken the horse by the reins(not a Mustang reference) and is ready to release an EV muscle car in the next few years – reluctantly.
A piece from the chiefexecutive.net talking with Dodge chief Tim Kuniskis, outlines their future intentions. with the release of the first electric muscle car in the next few years, Dodge are best summed up as in the piece, ‘a reluctant revolutionary.’
Moving from a loud and proud, V8 platform to electric is never going to be easy, and best summed up by the statement from Mr. Kuniskis, ‘Transitions are easier when they are needs-based, not wants-based,’ ‘And I’ll be honest: Electrification is kind of like the world going vegetarian, and Dodge is like a burger joint. We do one thing, and we do it really well. We’re not vegetarian yet.’
Using the ‘burger joint’ analogy, Dodge is at a crossroads where they can produce a healthy, grass-fed burger, rivaling the best out there, healthy an’ all or a greasy splat in a bun. However, there’s nothing like the naughty treat of a greasy burger once in a while.
Careful Planning
Pleasing both the old and the new has always been a tricky proposition. keeping an eye on the competition and not being the first out of the gates is one course of action. Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, has been keeping a watchful eye on the Mustang Mach-E, a Mustang labeled SUV.
People carriers, SUVs, whatever you want to call them, are hot property at the moment. So, it makes sense for Dodge to reveal a new hybrid compact crossover in August, named after the Hornet nameplate, to test the waters. The vehicle is planned to use the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale. A full-blown all-electric Dodge muscle car should be unveiled in 2024, with possible glimpses of the concept this year.
Dodge has also set up their Direct Connection factory, for aftermarket performance parts to ease the transition for dealers.
What to Expect
Just like when your favorite band changes their sound, they win over new fans, but also lose some of the old. It’s unfortunately the way of things. However, for those holding out to see how Dodge interprets this new electrical wave can be best summed up by the last statement in the piece from Mr. Kuniskis,
‘The brand’s approach of restrained enthusiasm for all-electrics must continue.’ ‘We could tell everyone to forget everything we told you about muscle cars for the last 50 years and [say], ‘This is what you really want. Everyone in the industry is going to be saying exactly the same thing, about their electrified vehicles. But Dodge has never won when we follow other people.’
0 comments