The Dodge brand is looking to make a statement with its redesigns of two of its most popular vehicles. Ahead of their debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show later today, Chrysler released photos and information on the 2015 Dodge Challenger and 2015 Dodge Charger.
NEW YORK - The Dodge brand is looking to make a statement with redesigns of two of its most popular vehicles.
Ahead of their debuts at the 2014 New York International Auto Show later today, Chrysler released photos and information on the 2015 Dodge Challenger and 2015 Dodge Charger.
“These cars are icons of the brand," said Richard Cox, Dodge brand director. "These are vehicles that are not just cars, they are representations and statements about passion; about performance; about our great heritage."
The 2015 Challenger and Charger appear to have taken different design directions. While the Challenger is a throwback to its 1971 predecessor, the Charger features a more modern design in line with the brand’s overall lineup.
Both vehicles are expected to arrive in showrooms the second half of 2014. Both also will continue to be built at the the company's Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. Challenger production is scheduled to being in the third quarter of 2014, followed by Charger production in the fourth quarter of 2014.
2015 Dodge Charger
For the 2015 model-year, the Charger appears to have received a full-body makeover, but kept its sporty, fast appearance. It also received numerous performance and technology upgrades.
2015 Dodge Charger (Courtesy Chrysler)"We’re going to keep everything that worked before, but just expand on it because people love these cars," said Dodge president and CEO Tim Kuniskis.
Updates include a standard eight-speed automatic transmission on both of Chargers engine offerings, which include the standard 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine and a new R/T-equipped 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The V6 delivers up to 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Charger SXT with an optional Rallye Appearance Group also offers up to 31 mpg, but ups the performance capabilities to up to 300 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a unique cold-air induction system, sport-tuned exhaust and engine calibration.
The 2015 Dodge Charger will be available in four models: SE, SXT, R/T and R/T Road & Track.
Dodge Challenger
The 2015 Challenger didn’t receive as many aesthetic overhauls as the Charger, but officials say buyers of the vehicle remain happy with its retro, muscle design.
2015 Dodge Challenger R/T (Courtesy Chrysler)So instead of modernizing the design, Dodge took the vehicle to its “next evolution” – from 1970 to 1971. Inspired by the iconic 1971 Challenger, all 2015 models take on a bold new appearance that draws on the 1971 model‘s split-grille and split-tail lamp cues, updated to 2015 with four signature LED headlamp halo surrounds offset by piano black trim. Single projector-beam headlamps at each front corner also light the road ahead, while high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are also available.
"For 2015, we want to take it to the next level," Cox said. "We want to deliver everything that they love about their current vehicle, but take it up a notch."
On the rear, the vehicle features a new split tail-lamp design continues the historic 1971 model‘s inspiration. For a modern look, the Dodge brand‘s signature LED treatment creates a single ribbon of light within each lamp.
As with the Charger, officials also added more power to the vehicle.
New for the 2015 Dodge Challenger is a Scat Pack 6.4-liter Hemi V8 trim that is estimated at 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque via a six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic transmission, Brembo brakes and 20-by-9-inch aluminum wheels. For those not looking for that much power, the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 still delivers 305 horsepower and the available 5.7-liter Hemi V8 has up to 375 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. torque.
The 2015 Challenger will be available in eight trim levels: SXT, SXT Plus, R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker, 6.4-liter Scat Pack and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker (late availability for Shaker).
The press conference unveiling for both of the vehicles is scheduled to be live streamed online (click here for more details).
Check back to MLive for more information on the vehicles.