New 2022 Dodge Challenger USA Concept
New 2022 Dodge Challenger USA Concept – Dodge Challenger is now more than just a little long in gear. However, thanks to the high-performance versions of Hellcat and Demon, the Challenger remains relevant and even the second-best-selling sport in the US, behind the Ford Mustang but ahead of the much newer Chevrolet Camaro. A redesign is underway, and the FCA is preparing a major change to the nameplate.
What’s more, Manley hints that electrification can be applied initially to high-performance versions of the Challenger.
New 2022 Dodge Challenger USA Concept
2022 Dodge Challenger Engine
The base model comes with a familiar FCA 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and delivers 305 horsepower and 268 pound-foot torque. Power increases when you select 5.7-liter V-8, which generates 375 horses and 410 pound-feet.
Move upwards on the Trim ladder, and the Challenger becomes available with a larger, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. It is the most powerful naturally-aspirated offering on 485 horsepower and 475 pound-toe twist. Finally, there were supercharged, 6.2 liters, Hemi, V-8 that pumped a whopping 707 horsepower and 650 pound-foot torque in the Hellcat SRT model. Then there’s the same beefed-up machine setup for the SRT Demon, where the 6.2-liter Cranks unit came out 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet. The Demon is not way-legal though.
One thing to note here is that, unlike the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger is not available with four-cylinder engines.
While we don’t know how the Next-gen Challenger will look like, I’ll definitely be lighter. That’s large because the FCA will drop the ancient Daimler-Benz platform which makes almost all versions of the Challenger end of the scales at more than 4,000 kilograms. Regardless of the base model, which comes in a little over 3,800 pounds, the V-8 model weighs up to 4,469 pounds, with the heavier model being Hellcat.
While the Mustang is currently up to 3,800 pounds, the toughest Camaro Tips weigh at 3,760 pounds. The very worrying thing is that the Challenger is actually just weighing the ordinary wheelbase of the BMW 7 series. We’re talking about a full-size sedan packed with technology here!
In order to remain competitive, Challenger needs to go on a large diet and go under £3,500 in the basic form. Higher performance models also need to weigh less than 4,000 pounds. In fact, in order to add electric motors and batteries, the FCA needs to push the benchmark below £3,800, as the hybrid system is usually heavier than gas-only drivetrains.
New 2022 Dodge Challenger USA Concept
On top of the new, lightweight platform, Dodge also needs to adopt lighter materials for the body and suspension. While carbon fibers may be too expensive for an affordable sports Coupe, carbon-reinforced plastics are not. BMW has been using it with great success for years, and I do not see any reason why the FCA will not.
It’s safe to say that Dodge will add a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine to the lineup. The turbocharged unit could be a lightweight-hybrid if paired with a 48-volt eTorque system that FCA already offers in 1500 RAM trucks. The system is already paired to the Pentastar V-6 in the same truck and Dodge can use it too.
2022 Dodge Challenger Performances
As for the higher performance version, Dodge will most likely drop the V-8 which supports Twin-Turbo V-6. The Force-Fed V-6 factory is known to deliver more than 400 horsepower and adds powerful electric motors to the mix could drive Total output close to 600 horsepower. Sure, Dodge might save the V-8 for the Range-topping model, but it will be sold in very limited quantities.
A Twin-Turbo V-8 is not entirely out of the question, but the incoming emission restrictions make that much harder to implement.
