Dodge has generated significant revenue by delving into the past for the appearance of its contemporary vehicles. The Challenger, which was launched in 2008, did an exceptional job of mimicking the 1970 Challenger, allowing Dodge to market it for 15 years without a design overhaul.
Presently, the forthcoming addition to the lineup, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona set to debut this summer, draws its design influence from the 1968 Charger. A modernized retro muscle car will supplant another, offering both traditional fuel and electric powertrains this time.
Why choose the 1968 Charger specifically? Simply look at Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles’ preferred 1960s muscle car and the custom vehicle he constructed inspired by that affinity.
“According to Mopar enthusiasts, the Challenger holds a special place, but the ’68 Charger was somewhat of the definitive Mopar,” Gilles disclosed to Motor Authority.
SpeedKore Hellucination 1968 Dodge Charger
SpeedKore Hellucination 1968 Dodge Charger
SpeedKore Hellucination 1968 Dodge Charger
Collaborating with Wisconsin-based custom shop SpeedKore in 2019, Gilles commenced the construction of a personalized Pro Touring-style, carbon-fiber-bodied, Hellephant-powered 1968 Dodge Charger named “Hellucination.” Concurrently, Dodge was developing the Banshee Concept, which ultimately evolved into the Charger Daytona.
“When we initiated the project for the EV, the Banshee Concept, I had an actual ’68 present in the studio. We retrieved one from our historical collection and positioned it in the studio,” Gilles recounted.
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept SEMA 2022 update
“I had several Millennials collaborating in the studio, so when I brought in the ’68, it halted them in their tracks. I maintained utmost secrecy about my project, so no one was aware of my work on Hellucination at that time,” he added.
Was our understanding accurate? Did Gilles’ personal vehicle influence future products? We directly inquired if working on Hellucination inspired him to create the next-generation car as a tribute to the ’68 model.
“Indeed. Yes, and there are no reservations about it. And I am enthusiastic about it,” he responded.
Nevertheless, Gilles didn’t directly model the car after his version of a ’68 Charger. “I refrained from allowing that (Hellucination) to impact the young designers other than bringing in a ’68 and parking it in the studio,” he elaborated.
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona
Gilles believes the Charger Daytona is the ideal vehicle for the electric age. “To those unfamiliar with Mopars, it appears as a remarkably contemporary, exceedingly distinctive electric vehicle, just as I intended,” he mentioned. “Meanwhile, Mopar aficionados exclaim, ‘Oh my word.’ They grasp the concept. For Mopar enthusiasts, its purpose is to resonate with their emotions. It’s akin to soul-soothing sustenance. If you’re transitioning to electric, this model will undoubtedly bring you joy.”
The head designer also characterizes the Charger Daytona as utilitarian.
We shall ascertain the true practicality, functionality, and performance of the Charger Daytona when we get behind the wheel later this year. Until then, the unmistakable influence of the ’68 Charger design remains prevalent. When personal preferences and the legacy of muscle cars impact design decisions within a company, having refined taste surely aids in the process.
