Final Brampton Built SRT Demon 170
Dodge has now unveiled the concluding production-line undertaking of the Challenger. As stated by Automotive News Canada, output terminated on December 22 at Stellantis’ Brampton Manufacturing Plant, coming to a close the third-incarnation shape’s 15-year stay championing Dodge’s muscle car collection.
The last Dodge Challenger released was presented in 170 SRT Demon guise, draped in Pitch Black. This effectual variant yielded an immense 1,025 horsepower from the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine – a distinguishable climb from the initial 425 offered by the 2008 model. Furthermore, its thrilling performance was more than evident on the drag strip where it achieved a 9.39-second quarter-mile pass.
A snap of the genuine last Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been uploaded to Facebook by LX & Beyond Nationals.
Over the years, although largely maintaining its original exterior design, the Challenger has undergone immense changes in terms of both technology and interior features. This has been affirmed by leading Stellantis designer Ralph Gilles, who cited that the Challenger was one of the pioneering vehicles to implement a touchscreen-adapted infotainment system.
“It’s just a fun canvas to play with,” Gilles stated to Automotive News Canada. “I’m unable to share the exact number of hoods we’ve made for that car, but we’ve also created fascia, wheels, and other derivative models that have become popular and established their own subculture.”
The Challenger has been sustaining remarkable market results, occasionally eclipsing the longstanding favorite choices of Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Even in times of economic hardship, the model continued to generate impressive sales numbers.
The termination of the Challenger led to the finish of its platform working partners, the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. The fleeting Dodge Magnum was also supported by the LX platform but was dismantled when the Challenger resubmerged in 2008 after being initially revealed with a concept teaser two years earlier.
Each of these models have been and will continue to be constructed in a Canadian assembly facility, with the mighty Hemi-powered 300C version having recently debuted. On December 31st, 2023, the last 300 will step off the production line, and there has yet to be any announcement made about a replacement model.
When it comes to an array of Dodge muscle cars, the manufacturer is going to keep pushing the boundaries of this classification, although now with electrification. This was presented in the Charger Daytona SRT concept and, to end on a high note, multiple exceptional editions were introduced as part of the Last Call series for the Challenger and Charger.
Reports indicate that the next-generation muscle cars will be constructed at the Windsor Assembly Plant, located almost 217 miles away. In contrast to this, the Brampton plant is reportedly being closed for approximatively a period of two years in order to undertake retooling, after having manufactured the Challenger, Charger, and 300 models consistently for close to 20 years. It is anticipated that, by 2025, the premises will have reopened in order to produce gasoline and electric Jeep Compass versions.
“This revolutionary transformation and transition of our plant into the electric vehicle future will ensure the wellbeing of our members and their families for many years to come,” said Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285.
