The era has come to an end for three of the most iconic muscle cars from the 2000s. The final 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger bid farewell on December 22 at Stellantis’ Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, following an extensive farewell tour featuring special editions. Just two days earlier, the last Chrysler 300 rolled off the production line, marking the end of an era.
According to Automotive News Canada and a Dodge spokesperson, the last Charger was a Scat Pack widebody model painted in Destroyer Gray. The final Challenger, the ultimate finale, was an SRT Demon 170 in Pitch Black. Photos on Facebook captured factory workers celebrating alongside the coupe, which was adorned with striking gold wheels.
The trio of robust American machines shared the L platform, which was introduced in 2005 with the Chrysler 300. The 300, known for its Bentley-inspired opulence mixed with American gangster flair, paved the way. The Charger followed in 2006, and the Challenger in 2008, both rear-wheel-drive vehicles featuring powerful 5.7-liter HEMI engines. They became synonymous with burnouts and donuts. In 2015, the introduction of the SRT Hellcat models elevated their status, offering supercharged 6.2-liter V-8s with over 700 horsepower at an affordable price.
Although the 300 didn’t receive the Hellcat treatment, it concluded its legacy with the 485-hp 6.4-liter HEMI-powered 2023 300C. The Charger and Challenger received grand send-offs with “Last Call” special editions, culminating in the Challenger SRT Demon 170, which boasted up to 1025 horsepower on E85 gasoline.
The Brampton Assembly Plant will undergo a two-year retooling process, which will include a new paint shop and stamping lines. By late 2025, the facility will begin production of the next Jeep Compass iteration and upcoming vehicles on the STLA Medium platform, which will feature both internal combustion and electric powertrains.
The successors of the Charger and Challenger, likely to be consolidated into one model, as hinted by the Charger Daytona SRT concept, will be produced at Canada’s Windsor Assembly Plant. The new models, anticipated to include two- and four-door versions, will incorporate electric powertrains and Stellantis’ latest Hurricane inline-six engine, generating up to 510 horsepower. On the other hand, the Chrysler 300 will not have a direct replacement as the brand prepares for an electric renaissance with a series of new EVs in the coming years.