Dodge Charger leaves America for Europe, but no closer to Australia
The Dodge Charger is venturing out of North America to be offered in more markets, though it’ll remain left-hand drive only and off bounds for Australia.
Stellantis – global parent of Dodge and a dozen other brands – has announced it’s bringing the Charger Daytona EV and Charger Sixpack to Europe, bringing American flavour to the market.
Coinciding with the Charger’s 60th anniversary, the nameplate will return to left-hand drive European markets later this year, becoming one of the few Stellantis North American brands (which includes Ram, Jeep and Chrysler) to be offered on the continent.
“Bringing Charger back to Europe is a significant moment for the brand,” said Fabio Catone, Head of Brand for Dodge in Europe.
“It means reintroducing an unmistakable American nameplate to customers that values character and authenticity. Charger has always been about standing apart, and that attitude is exactly what defines its return.”
Dodge launched the new-generation Charger, now both a two-door coupe and four-door sedan, in North America last year, initially in electric Daytona guise before adding the six-cylinder Sixpack further down the line.
The European lineup is yet to be finalised, though in Europe there are two flavours of the Sixpack, both of which are powered by the twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six shared with the Ram 1500.
In the Charger Sixpack R/T, its engine produces 313kW and 635Nm, with outputs increasing to 410kW and 720Nm in the flagship Scat Pack. Both are all-wheel drive with 10-speed automatic transmissions.
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The Charger Daytona meanwhile outpaces both thanks to its dual-motor, 500kW powertrain, while the EV can also generate faux engine sounds thanks to its ‘Fratzonic’ exhaust.
Though it is the fastest and most powerful Charger currently on sale, the Daytona EV has struggled for sales in North America, while earlier this month Dodge raised prices.
Unfortunately, both versions of the Charger will remain left-hand drive with Stellantis not announcing plans to convert them to right-hand drive, which would open up an avenue to sell the Charger in Australia.
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Last month, the newly reborn Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division teased an onslaught of upcoming models, which included a new variant of the Charger.
Specialist publication MoparInsiders in March reported word from sources within Dodge that a new Charger Hellcat has been green-lit for development, potentially launching in 2027 as a 2028 model year vehicle.
Given the SRT focus, it may no longer use the Hellcat moniker, but is expected to not feature the all-electric or twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six powertrains currently powering the Charger.
Instead it’ll resurrect the supercharged 6.2-litre ‘Hellcat’ V8 engine which became synonymous with the most powerful versions of the last generation Charger sedan and Challenger coupe.
