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Ralph Gilles Reflects on the Design Evolution of the New Dodge Charger

Ralph Gilles Reflects on the Design Evolution of the New Dodge Charger​

Celebrating Three Years of the Charger Daytona's Journey...​


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Over the weekend, Ralph Gilles, Head of Stellantis Design, took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the design development of the all-new Dodge Charger (LB). Marking the third anniversary of its initial design proposal, Gilles shared a series of photographs from the Chrysler Tech Center (CTC) in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He reflected on this milestone, stating, “Three years ago to the day… we brought the 1st dynoced (thin paint-like film we put over the clay model for observation) Charger proposal from the Dodge/SRT studio into the Design Dome, at our Auburn Hills tech center. I had a moment… 🖤 the journey of Automotive design.”
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Ralph Gilles Reflects on the Design Evolution of the New Dodge Charger

Over the weekend, Ralph Gilles, Head of Stellantis Design, took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the design development of the all-new Dodge Charger (LB). Marking the third anniversary of its initial design proposal, Gilles shared a series of photographs from the Chrysler Tech...
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I think at this point, alot of what we want for this car is going to come via the aftermarket. A lot of the pictures we've seen from Dodge simply don't do the car enough justice as I've seen alot of other pictures of the car that really showcase just how sculpted this car really is. Once this car really hits the market, especially the six pack, There are going to be companies offering aftermarket hoods, spoilers, diffusers, side skirts, lighting upgrades, wheels, grilles and all kinds of other things for this car. Even as far as the performance is concerned, both trim levels of this car are going to see a huge aftermarket following because turbo engines are actually quite amazing when it comes to modifications. They'll never sound like a V8 but they can sound amazing! Companies are already doing tuning and exhaust upgrades for the hurricane engines in the Ram 1500 pickups and the Grand Wagoneers so the ground work is already being laid out for this car. I also have a sneaky suspicion that the numbers for the S/O may be a little higher 420hp/470tq. In the Ram RHO, the horsepower is 540hp/521tq but in the Charger it's +10hp & +10lb-ft torque. Let's just say the hp difference is the same between the S/O in the truck vs car so 430hp/480tq (to me) seems like what the Charger Six Pack S/O sedan will be pushing. But also the thought that sticks in my mind is what could Direct Connection/SRT possibly be planning for this car. While there are rumors floating around about a new V8, the most logical succession to this is a hybrid. With the new 880RE Gen4 8-speed being placed in this car, it's only a matter of time before we get a hybrid version of this car. But this isn't a Prius style hybrid, think more Acura NSX Type-S. The Gen-4 hybrid system is a serious power adder in itself and can easily help produce beyond hellcat levels of hp and torque numbers when attached to the high output Hurricane engine (based on an article on ZF's webpage, referring to how much power and torque the plug in hybrid variant of this transmission can produce). Beyond that, a Cat-X version of the Hurricane engine is scheduled to be produced for the Drag Pack car and it's slated to have over 1,000hp. Even detuned to something like 800hp for a more street friendly version, add a beefed up version of the new 8-speed hybrid transmission behind it and that's still over 1,000hp. But keeping more focused on the affordable models, this car is an amazing canvas for both Direct Connection and aftermarket alike to really help make this car something amazing.
 
I must say this Charger is a work of design art. I believe at this point the Dodge team finds it a kind of a crime to not show the pure product in its true form, to hit showrooms, be fully appreciated and enjoy the compliments sure to follow. I can’t wait.
There should be little doubt that different styling adjustments listed by my friends here on this page will follow from the factory under warranty and then the aftermarket, to meet individual tastes, that will be real fun. I agree that some may
call elegance bland, I did on first blush, but this classic beauty, because it is, will respond well to many, many interpretations. Truth my disappointment has turned to anticipation, imagination and hope as this comes to fruition. Just when I thought Ralph was losing his touch, we get this. Well done team, well done.
 
not retro, replace the challenger ?..to bland whimpy unexciting no matter what color, msrp in the 80's a bust.IMO put a hemi in it at a reasonable price.50's ok..first mistake rear end should have 4 tail lights like the famous 68'...stellantis still does not get it all there american line-up is 30-40 % higher price..
 
Hellcat frank said:
not retro, replace the challenger ?..to bland whimpy unexciting no matter what color, msrp in the 80's a bust.IMO put a hemi in it at a reasonable price.50's ok..first mistake rear end should have 4 tail lights like the famous 68'...stellantis still does not get it all there american line-up is 30-40 % higher price..
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Retro inspired, boldly executed. It is its own creation and needs no apology. Eyes will behold, experience and react. As with a work of art or styling exercise, it is time and appreciation that will bestow its standing in the annals of time. As the unmatched classics of the 1930s have done, automotive art rose above and became beyond a car, but a true art form, true beauty, forever. This Charger might likely fall far short of those classics, but it deserves a chance to be something noteworthy on its own merits. Time to be little bit sophisticated by the moment at hand guys.
 
scatpack_69 said:
Except, it’s not
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Depending on if you love the original 1968 design it's lacking in way to many details on the side. Plus the front is too narrow compared to what we loved about the original charger. Let's hope the suspension exceeds the original which isn't hard to do.
 

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It's easy to point out what this car isn't. Why? Because in short, this car is none of the cars that came before it. As much as I wanted it to be, this car is not a '68-'70 Charger, or even a '15-'23 Charger. The truth is, this car is the next generation of that beloved nameplate and honestly, yes, this car takes cues from several different generations of Chargers from '66 through '74 and yes even a touch of '11 thru '14. I find it hilarious at times how we all are as enthusiasts because something isn't an exact clone of what it once was in those glory days. When Dodge brought the Charger back in '05, everyone was so upset because the car wasn't a two-door reincarnation of 1968 but grew to love it as it came into it's own thing as a Mopar powerhouse that kept the American RWD sedan alive. It had first gen charger styling cues along with the quad '68 taillights but it was still it's own thing, just like this Charger is now. Does this new car have a v8? Not at all, but the standard output car puts out nearly identical horsepower numbers as the 6.1L Hemi, with more torque and a better drivetrain and this is just the beginning!!!! This is without any SRT or Direct Connection magic added. This is before any tuner touches it or any kind of upgrades at all. Not to mention, the powertrain has way more potential than the 5.7L or 6.4L Hemi V8 engines that they already surpass so even bolt on upgrades should see impressive results. Let's get it out of the way, no it won't sound like a V8. Because it's not. Honestly, I feel like this will be the American version of the 2JZ-GTE 3.0L like what was in the MK-IV Supra TT and those engines sound amazing when cammed. I'm sorry but I see absolutely nothing wrong with this new car and new setup because of the immense amount of potential it has.
 
vbondjr1 said:
It's easy to point out what this car isn't. Why? Because in short, this car is none of the cars that came before it. As much as I wanted it to be, this car is not a '68-'70 Charger, or even a '15-'23 Charger. The truth is, this car is the next generation of that beloved nameplate and honestly, yes, this car takes cues from several different generations of Chargers from '66 through '74 and yes even a touch of '11 thru '14. I find it hilarious at times how we all are as enthusiasts because something isn't an exact clone of what it once was in those glory days. When Dodge brought the Charger back in '05, everyone was so upset because the car wasn't a two-door reincarnation of 1968 but grew to love it as it came into it's own thing as a Mopar powerhouse that kept the American RWD sedan alive. It had first gen charger styling cues along with the quad '68 taillights but it was still it's own thing, just like this Charger is now. Does this new car have a v8? Not at all, but the standard output car puts out nearly identical horsepower numbers as the 6.1L Hemi, with more torque and a better drivetrain and this is just the beginning!!!! This is without any SRT or Direct Connection magic added. This is before any tuner touches it or any kind of upgrades at all. Not to mention, the powertrain has way more potential than the 5.7L or 6.4L Hemi V8 engines that they already surpass so even bolt on upgrades should see impressive results. Let's get it out of the way, no it won't sound like a V8. Because it's not. Honestly, I feel like this will be the American version of the 2JZ-GTE 3.0L like what was in the MK-IV Supra TT and those engines sound amazing when cammed. I'm sorry but I see absolutely nothing wrong with this new car and new setup because of the immense amount of potential it has.
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You parallel my thinking neatly with some important observations. We agree, it’s a styling triumph and an enthusiasts toy box. It’s time to, as you said, not speak to what it is not, but,oh my goodness, what it is and what it can be for buyers seeking their own interpretation. Designed to be left alone, but also for tinkering.. Let’s get behind all that Charger IS and CAN BE. What fun we will have.
 
vbondjr1 said:
It's easy to point out what this car isn't. Why? Because in short, this car is none of the cars that came before it. As much as I wanted it to be, this car is not a '68-'70 Charger, or even a '15-'23 Charger. The truth is, this car is the next generation of that beloved nameplate and honestly, yes, this car takes cues from several different generations of Chargers from '66 through '74 and yes even a touch of '11 thru '14. I find it hilarious at times how we all are as enthusiasts because something isn't an exact clone of what it once was in those glory days. When Dodge brought the Charger back in '05, everyone was so upset because the car wasn't a two-door reincarnation of 1968 but grew to love it as it came into it's own thing as a Mopar powerhouse that kept the American RWD sedan alive. It had first gen charger styling cues along with the quad '68 taillights but it was still it's own thing, just like this Charger is now. Does this new car have a v8? Not at all, but the standard output car puts out nearly identical horsepower numbers as the 6.1L Hemi, with more torque and a better drivetrain and this is just the beginning!!!! This is without any SRT or Direct Connection magic added. This is before any tuner touches it or any kind of upgrades at all. Not to mention, the powertrain has way more potential than the 5.7L or 6.4L Hemi V8 engines that they already surpass so even bolt on upgrades should see impressive results. Let's get it out of the way, no it won't sound like a V8. Because it's not. Honestly, I feel like this will be the American version of the 2JZ-GTE 3.0L like what was in the MK-IV Supra TT and those engines sound amazing when cammed. I'm sorry but I see absolutely nothing wrong with this new car and new setup because of the immense amount of potential it has.
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Very well said. You hit all the points. It’s funny how some of us Mopar guys are soooo stuck on that 4 letter word, we can’t move on from it. Yes, HEMI!! We got over it and made it through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Now it’s that time again. Time to power on with the Twin turbo. Engines have come a long way. My last Police cruiser, a 2016 Charger Pursuit with a 3.6 put out more house power than my first cruiser a 1986, a Plymouth Gran Fury with a 318 V8!! Times change!!!
Let’s wait till the REAL Charger, the one with the ICE comes out and let’s see how much a 6 banger muscle car it is. We can judge then. I think the Hemi guys maybe suprised.
 
In the back of my mind, I'm really hoping they take it back to the SRT4 days and we get a variant that's got that rawness like the SRT4 Neon had with either an ACR package or a Mopar Stage-3 kit like the SRt4 Neon had.
 
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In person I think it's a good looking car, is it as aggressive as the Challenger, probably not but I think with a few small tweaks that the aftermarket could easily produce or that we could expect to see on the Banshee it will be a real looker. Then again parking my car next to one for photos isn't really fair to the new Charger either.
 
JMB said:
Depending on if you love the original 1968 design it's lacking in way to many details on the side. Plus the front is too narrow compared to what we loved about the original charger. Let's hope the suspension exceeds the original which isn't hard to do.
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Not really. ‘68 is the high point of Charger design, they got worse after and were worse before.

The new car isn’t supposed to be a comparison to the ‘68. It’s supposed to harken back, and take cues, while being fully modern. It’s EASILY the most attractive new car of the last decade, globally. Sure it has a similar front end to the ‘68, but that’s the only resemblance
 
scatpack_69 said:
Not really. ‘68 is the high point of Charger design, they got worse after and were worse before.

The new car isn’t supposed to be a comparison to the ‘68. It’s supposed to harken back, and take cues, while being fully modern. It’s EASILY the most attractive new car of the last decade, globally. Sure it has a similar front end to the ‘68, but that’s the only resemblance
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beauty is in the eye of the beholder..IMO the car (new charger) does not turn me on period, throw in 85k forget about it!!
 
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