End of an Era: Final Dodge Challenger Rolls Off Assembly Line, Closing Chapter on Iconic V-8 Muscle Car

Stellantis concludes production of the last V-8-powered Dodge Challenger, marking the end of the LX platform and paving the way for the electric future of Dodge muscle cars.

The iconic Dodge Challenger, a symbol of raw American muscle with its V-8 engine, has bid farewell as the final car rolled off the assembly line at Stellantis’ plant in Brampton, Canada, on December 22. The last Challenger, a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 in Pitch Black, holds historical significance, marking the end of an era for the long-lived V-8 muscle car and the LX platform.

Dodge, a brand synonymous with high-performance vehicles, commemorated the conclusion of the current Challenger and Charger models with a series of “Last Call” special editions. The Demon 170, boasting a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that generates an impressive 1,025 hp and 945 lb-ft of torque on E85 fuel, served as the pinnacle of this farewell celebration.

This final edition, capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in 1.66 seconds and achieving an NHRA-certified quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph, solidifies its place in history as the fastest accelerating and quickest production car. The fate of this last Demon 170 remains undisclosed, leaving enthusiasts to speculate whether it will find a home with a customer or be preserved by Stellantis as a testament to the Challenger’s legacy.

Dodge confirmed the successful completion of the full production run of 3,300 Demon 170s it had aimed for. The conclusion of LX-platform cars, which includes the Challenger, Charger, and the now-discontinued Chrysler 300C, signifies the end of a nearly two-decade-long era that brought rear-wheel-drive, V-8 performance cars back to prominence.

While the gasoline-powered Challenger and Charger models have reached their conclusion, Dodge has not officially confirmed the retirement of these nameplates. The brand is expected to pivot towards an electric future, with plans to launch an electric muscle car in the coming year, as previewed by the Charger Daytona SRT concept. Dodge’s shift aligns with broader industry trends toward electrification and signals a new chapter in the evolution of American muscle cars.