The Challenger has never been the best selling muscle car but despite that many people liked it more than the Mustang or the Camaro simply because it looked and felt more aggressive and raw. The current model is no different but because both the Camaro and the Mustang received all new models quite recently, the Challenger has been left behind by a very big margin which make it obsolete at this point.
In order to change that and get back to the top three muscle cars out there, an all new car is expected to be launched by the end of this year. However, rumors suggest that the car will not be called the Challenger but instead the successor will be the 2016 Dodge Barracuda.
This would be really interesting because the Barracuda name has been used in the past for a really aggressive car which was one of the better products out there. At this point in time there are very few details about it but it seems that the model will be based on an entirely new platform which will not be shared with the Alfa Giulia.
On top of that, this new platform will feature independent suspension front and rear, aluminum suspension parts and a high strength steel floor pan with some panels made out of aluminum. These should make for a car that could weigh more than 500 pounds less than before while being more rigid than the current Challenger.
Price for Dodge Barracuda
The price for a base model would still be around $25,000 which will allow the 2016 Dodge Barracuda to have an edge over its competitors.
2016 Dodge Barracuda Design
In terms of design there is still no official information out there but considering that the car will use a new platform and it will shed a lot of weight, the car should be smaller as well as more nimble. The exterior look will certainly borrow some of traits of the original car but it may also get some of the current Challenger.
We expect a car with a long hood and a short back with a really wide stance and a low roof. Also, the front end will definitely be all new in order to set the trend for their future models.
Interior of Dodge Barracuda
Inside the cabin there should be enough room for up to four people in a 2+2 configuration and there should also be quite a bit more legroom and headroom than in the Challenger thanks to the new platform.
We do expect a retro design inside the cabin but unlike the Challenger, it should be more functional than before in order to allow it to compete with the new Mustang and Camaro.
Engine
Engine wise, the 2016 Dodge Barracuda is very likely going to feature all new engines that will make it one of the faster cars on the US market. The base model should get a relatively small 2 liter turbocharged inline 4 petrol engine with up to 272 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
Further up the range, a larger 3 liter twin-turbocharged V6 should also be available in two different levels of output. The base model will get around 330 horsepower while the top of the range one should top out near 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
All of these should come as standard with a 6 speed manual with the option of getting an 8 speed automatic. The top of the range models are likely going to ditch the current V8s in order to some more efficient and smaller V8 engines developed in Europe.
Our best bet would be on the 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 found on certain Maserati models, engine which could make between 400 and 600 horsepower with ease.
