Dodge and Opel take on the Ford Mach-E with new muscle EV cars

Many people have embraced the bold steering of the new Ford Mustang Mach-E, which builds on the Mustang coupe sports car pedigree with a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive electric crossover. Despite the controversy, it’s a good car with great performance, but the real EV muscle is just around the corner.

We have been pretty busy browsing this week’s big Stellantis announcement with a roadmap for new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles built on four new platforms. The United States is expected to get eight new models over the next five years, with more than 50 worldwide through the various automakers of the conglomerate consisting of Fiat and Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Citroën and DS, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

While each brand’s new EV motto is very silly, there was also lots of product announcements. Jeep is developing a curious new all-electric off-roader that appears to be larger than the Wrangler. There was also a glimpse of an EV crossover from Chrysler apparently inspired by the recent approach to the design of the 200 sedan and the Pacifica minivan. The teaser for the upcoming EV Ram truck was a bit more interesting, but I’m very happy the brands aren’t giving up on performance cars.

Until now, Stellantis confirmed that two new all-electric muscle cars are in development, and also offered teasers of the two new models – one for the United States and one for Europe, it seems. The first comes from Dodge, which refers to the new model so far as “eMuscle” and is scheduled for 2024.

The teaser image appears to show the front of the future EV with clearly visible light Fratzog emblem centered it is a reminder to the triangular pattern that Dodge used to decorate its models in the 1960s and 1970s.

Based on Stellantis’ presentation, the model will be built on a platform capable of a range of up to 500 miles, and possibly a ton of power and torque as well. It’s not clear whether this muscle car will carry the Charger or Challenger nameplate, or finally debut with the long-rumored Barracuda or Cuda nameplate, and we also don’t know if there will be two more. or four doors.

The Dodge model would likely not be sold in Europe. Enter Opel with a reinvented all-electric Manta muscle car also announced this week. The car was apparently inspired by the Manta GSe electric restoration project that the automaker revealed earlier this year.

While it makes sense that the Dodge and Opel are potentially very similar cars under the skin, it’s possible the Manta would take a smoother and potentially smaller approach. Our only potential glimpse so far is this tiny render of lights under a sheet of the product roadmap chart:

The four Stellantis platforms are intended for the segments of small, medium, large and chassis vehicles (therefore trucks and vans, etc.). Auto News Europe Reports it is likely that the latter two are intended for the US market with larger vehicles and high horsepower applications that require more battery allocation. Small and medium platforms are likely to be more relevant to smaller European offerings and premium vehicles from all brands, and this could include the new Manta.

If the Opel Manta EV gets one of the smaller rigs, it would likely still have a claimed minimum range of just over 300 miles, and it has been announced that the model will go on sale by 2030. .

The funny thing about all of this is that totally straightforward non-macho electric vehicles, things like the Tesla Model X minivan, are straight-line monsters and will roast most cars that would qualify as “real.” muscular”. But if you’re Dodge or Opel, what other options do you have besides enhancing your retro image?