Exec: 2015 Dodge Challenger, Charger redefining muscle cars

In the eyes of Tim Kuniskis, the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger are more than vehicles, they are the soul of the brand. The president and CEO of the Dodge brand said the two vehicles, which Chrysler is set to unveil the 2015 models of later today in New York, have changed the way people think about the brand and muscle car industry.

NEW YORK- In the eyes of Tim Kuniskis, the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger are more than vehicles, they are the soul of the brand.

The president and CEO of the Dodge brand said the two vehicles, which Chrysler is set to unveil the 2015 models of later today in New York, have changed the way people think about the brand and muscle car industry.

"These are muscle cars, but these are muscle cars that are redefining what a muscle car really is," he said. "That's a segment that is now identifying what the brand is and where the brand can go."

For the past five years, sales of the Challenger and Charger have gone up every single year – a rare occurrence in the U.S. automotive industry in a vehicle's life cycle. Combined, Chrysler has sold more than 1 million Charger and Challenger models with the current platform.

Kuniskis attributed much of the sales success to the vehicles being "everyday muscle cars" that speaks to consumers. He said about 33 percent of Charger customers don't even shop for other vehicle, and if they do, the most cross-shopped vehicle is the Challenger.

2015 Dodge Charger (Courtesy Chrysler)

Officials said they expect the redesigned vehicles for 2015 to help propel the vehicles to the "next level," but in different ways. The 2015 Challengeris a throwback to its 1971 predecessor. The Charger features a more modern design in line with the brand's overall lineup.

"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."

2015 Charger

For the 2015 model-year, officials say the Charger received a full-body makeover, but kept its sporty, fast appearance. It also received numerous performance and technology upgrades.

Kuniskis said one of the problems Dodge has had with the current Charger is that people stereotyped it as a gas-guzzler due to its muscular design, so designers aimed to keep its sporty nature while making it look sleeker.

"The current car gets an amazing 31 miles per gallon, but nobody believes it looking at the car," he said. "They just don't. This car now looks so much, lighter, tighter, smaller; it's now believable."

2015 Dodge Charger (Courtesy Chrysler)

Besides the exterior makeover, 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. 

"We're going to keep everything that worked before, but just expand on it because people love these cars," Kuniskis said.

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. It is expected to be in showrooms by in November. Production is slated to start in the fourth quarter of 2014 at the company's Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. 

2015 Challenger

The 2015 Challenger didn't receive as many aesthetic overhauls as the Charger, but Kuniskis said buyers of the vehicle remain happy with its retro, muscle design.

2015 Dodge Challenger 392 Hemi (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.

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.

2015 Dodge Challenger R/T (Courtesy Chrysler)

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). It is expected to be in showrooms by August. Production is slated to start in the third quarter of 2014 at the company's Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. 

Shakers, Scat Packs

The Dodge Shaker models started as limited editions, but due to demand are now optional equipment on the Challenger.

"We underestimated how hot that thing was going to be because the first one that we launched was just a buzz model," Kuniskis said. "It was just a cool, limited-edition thing and it went crazy."

The 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker, like the original 1970 Challenger R/T, featured an engine-mounted hood scoop that shakes with the powertrain's movement and unique throwback muscle-car cues with all three of the new ''Scat Package'' performance stage kits.

The Shaker returns for 2015 on the R/T and the R/T Plus models, bringing the iconic engine-mounted, fully functional cold-air induction Shaker hood with up to 410 lb.-ft. of torque and unique wheels, interior trim, exterior styling cues and more.

If that's not enough for you, Dodge also has Scat Pack trim models that increase performance of the Challenger. The Scat Pack 6.4-liter Hemi V8 punches out an estimated 485 best-in-class 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.

The Scat Pack Club was originally formed by Dodge in 1968 to unite the brand's enthusiasts. It quickly transformed and expanded from an enthusiast club into an over-arching Dodge performance philosophy, with the performance stage kits that would ultimately become known as "Scat Packages."

The press conference unveiling for both of the vehicles is scheduled to be live streamed online (click here for more details).