The Dodge Charger and Challenger are currently based on a really old Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform from the 1990s, but it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. There was a rumor that the next-generation Charger and Challenger would switch to an Alfa Romeo platform, but FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has refuted those rumors.

next-gen Dodge Challenger

The rumor was that the next Dodge Charger and Challenger would ditch the old Mercedes-Benz platform and move to the version of the platform that’s the basis for the Alfa Romeo Giulia, called Giorgio. Yesterday at FCA’s investor conference in Italy, Marchionne put that rumor to rest.

“We may not necessarily have to go as far as the Giorgio architecture for Dodge as long as we are willing to commit to a significant upgrade to the current architecture to make it competitive. That’s something that’s already started,” Marchionne stated at the conference. “Certainly by the time we finish with that architecture, you will not recognize its origins. We may maintain its bare-bones structure.”

2018 Dodge Challenger Shakedown Package

“The problem with Giorgio is from size and capability standpoint it reflects much more of a European performance requirement than it does the American heritage of Dodge.”

We’re still waiting to hear when the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger will arrive. Dodge has announced that both the 2019 Charger and Challenger will be getting some updates.

Source: Motor Authority