Opinions run the gamut, though most are extreme—but an "electric muscle car" was always going to be polarizing, wasn't it?
Author of the article:
Matthew Guy
Published Mar 06, 2024 • Last updated 5days ago • 3 minute read
Join the conversation![Heavily Charged Opinions: The Internet reacts to the new 2024 Dodge Charger (1) Heavily Charged Opinions: The Internet reacts to the new 2024 Dodge Charger (1)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/driving/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DG024_011CH.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=375&h=211&sig=Na6y0d5PcANlvNsCi0KJcg)
Anyone living under an especially virulent rock may have missed the news that Dodge introduced a new 2024 Charger this week, a car set to (eventually) be available with two- or four-doors, and a choice of all-electric or gasoline-fuelled powerplants. Gearheads of a certain stripe aren’t known to embrace change, which is part of the reason why – for better or worse – the old car was on sale for eons essentially unchanged, save for steadily increasing amounts of horsepower.
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With this in mind, we donned our Postmedia hazmat suit (standard company-issue) and waded into the morass of online comments and the sewers of fan forums to take the Internet’s temperature regarding the upcoming Dodge Charger. Don’t say we never do anything for our readers. As you’d expect, reactions ranged from suspiciously positive to outrageously negative — most of which were presented in all-caps, of course.
There’s a subset of the general public who think any form of electrification is the devil incarnate, such as the YouTube commenter who rails about “complying” and another who thinks the “greens” are responsible. Witness also the anonymous user that asked “How did we go from Hellcat to Hello Kitty?” (This is a creative turn of phrase, one which this author will tuck away in his brain and shamelessly trot out in a future post.)
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Learn more about the cars
editor's pick 2023 Dodge Charger 3.40out of 5 MSRP $44,295 to $115,990
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It’s also hilarious when random keyboard warriors like someone called Cameron Lancaster state they can “write this off as a potential daily in the future” when a quick internet search proves the person can’t even figure out how to turn off automatic climate control in his second-hand Subaru BRZ.
Don Joewon Song, noted contributor to the world of Forza: Horizon, had this to say:
— Don Joewon Song (@DonJoewonSong) March 5, 2024Dodge Charger from Wish.
😶
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Meanwhile, others tend to get what Dodge is trying to do, with one YouTube commenter saying “EVs are supposed to be quiet and boring. This is not quiet or boring. It’s like the Hyundai Ionia [sic] 5 N, but designed as a muscle car instead of a hot hatch.” This is an apt comparison, since the latter has noise and vibration added into its recipe in an attempt to capture some of the visceral experience one has whilst belting an internally-combusted car around a racetrack. Speaking of, we’ll have boots on the ground for this very subject next week. Stay tuned.
Harebrained takes weren’t limited to regular Joes hammering missives into a keyboard, either. Witness the moronic takes – most of which must have been created for clicks, since no able-minded writer would actually believe such tripe – such as the headline shouting this new Charger successfully recreates the Kia Stinger. Yeah, no. Both machines have four wheels and an engine. That’s it. The fact it shares a body style and cylinder count does not mean it is a Stinger reincarnate. Someone pull that man’s Internet access, pronto.
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Meanwhile, others with a brain inside of an actual head on their shoulders pontificated about the glorious ridiculousness of the Fratzonic chambered exhaust system, a device which really is silly as its official name. But, as that writer correctly muses, muscle cars are all about big, dumb fun — so features such as an exhaust system on a vehicle with no engine actually fit the ethos of Dodge’s new Charger very well. Some others are of similar mind:
Very cool. If this is the beginning, the next few Monsters are going to be a Frankenstein of a creation.
— MarkViii98 (@MarkViii98) March 5, 2024
Looking forward to seeing one of these on the road.
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There was also, apparently a contest to see who could make most the outlandish comparison between the ’24 Charger and an SUV, based on the new sedan’s heft. Some pundits pointed out the Charger eclipses the BMW X7 for length and theCadillac Escalade ESV for girth, while others pit it against the three-row seven-seat Kia EV9.
What’s your take on the new Charger? Postmedia has some of the best and most informed readers on internet, so be sure to sound off in our own comments section.
Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy is a lifelong gearhead who writes automotive content for Canadian and American outlets. He is alternately described as a freelance author, podcast host, road test magnate, and legend in his own mind. As a member of AJAC, he enjoys sharing his excitement about cars and is very pleased to contribute at Driving.
EXPERIENCE
Matthew’s goal is to put readers in the driver’s seat for a unique and entertaining look at the automotive industry – whether penning vehicle reviews with a creative bent, travelling to manufacturer events for first drives of new models, or speaking with industry stakeholders to gain extra insight for an article During the past decade, he has enjoyed creating unique and creative long-distance adventure drives, sating his (and the reader’s) appetite for driving accomplishments like traversing the spartan wilds of Labrador. Timed challenges in speedy machines also spin his crank. For a spell, he was also behind the microphone for this site’s Truck Guy podcast, interviewing guests ranging from knowledgeable local technicians to world-famous television stars. Find out what it’s like to jump behind the wheel of a pickup truck and successfully tackle gnarly off-road courses. Ride along whilst tackling twisty roads along the Pacific Coast in a droptop convertible. Bundle up as he explores the frigid expanses of Canada from his home on the East Coast to venturing north of the Arctic Circle.
EDUCATION
Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Business B.Comm (Hons.)
AWARDS
2021 Castrol-Wakefield Automotive Writing Award, runner-up
Runner Up - 2023 AJAC Adventure and Travel Journalism Award presented by Genesis Canada
Winner - 2023 AJAC Road Safety Journalism Award presented by Volvo Canada
CONTACT
Email: matthewkguy@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewkguy
Instagram: @DudeDrivesCars
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