Photo: Dodge
In August 2015, a dealer meeting in Las Vegas got us excited about the future of FCA. Almost a year later, a new report suggests that the fourth generation of the Dodge Challenger and the long-awaited return of the Barracuda could happen in the 2019 model year.
But first, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Fiat Chrysler, as I’m sure you know, is miles behind FoMoCo and GM as far as its emissions record is concerned. While competitors got to improve their emissions records with turbocharging, hybridization, and full electrification, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles failed to find the resources to catch up to the competition.
Hence, insider talk suggests that the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 could kick the bucket in 2019. In their place, FCA is expected to turn to twin-turbocharged powerplants. However, the peeps at Automobile Mag suggest that the next-generation Challenger SRT Hellcat will hold on to the supercharged V8, with “at least 750 hp.” Call me skeptical, but I wonder how that will fare with the upcoming 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.
Dodge is expected to replace the ripened Challenger and revive the Barracuda in the 2019 model year and Alfa Romeo is said to be vital for both pony cars. As it was reported last year, the 2019 Dodge Challenger is envisioned to ride on the Giorgio platform that underpins the bite-the-back-of-your-hand pretty Giulia sedan. If this will pan out, then we should all look forward to a much, much lighter and nimbler Challenger.
In the case of the 2019 Dodge Barracuda, the long-awaited revival is rumored to be offered exclusively as a convertible. Slated to share almost its entire backbone and powertrains with the 2019 Dodge Challenger, the Barracuda will wear its own sheet metal and will be just a tad smaller than the next-generation Challenger. Now that’s something I sure will be waiting for like a pet waits for his owner to return from work.
Hence, insider talk suggests that the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 could kick the bucket in 2019. In their place, FCA is expected to turn to twin-turbocharged powerplants. However, the peeps at Automobile Mag suggest that the next-generation Challenger SRT Hellcat will hold on to the supercharged V8, with “at least 750 hp.” Call me skeptical, but I wonder how that will fare with the upcoming 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.
Dodge is expected to replace the ripened Challenger and revive the Barracuda in the 2019 model year and Alfa Romeo is said to be vital for both pony cars. As it was reported last year, the 2019 Dodge Challenger is envisioned to ride on the Giorgio platform that underpins the bite-the-back-of-your-hand pretty Giulia sedan. If this will pan out, then we should all look forward to a much, much lighter and nimbler Challenger.
In the case of the 2019 Dodge Barracuda, the long-awaited revival is rumored to be offered exclusively as a convertible. Slated to share almost its entire backbone and powertrains with the 2019 Dodge Challenger, the Barracuda will wear its own sheet metal and will be just a tad smaller than the next-generation Challenger. Now that’s something I sure will be waiting for like a pet waits for his owner to return from work.
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