Bee-lieve It: 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee Announces No. 2 of 7 Dodge Special-edition 'Last Call' Models

•2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee is second of seven Dodge special-edition 'Last Call' models; first special-edition model, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown, was announced on Aug. 24

•2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee carries on tradition of original Super Bee by offering a vehicle at home both on the street and the strip

•2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee is the highest performance Charger Super Bee model ever produced and features standard drag radials that help the Super Bee fly to low quarter-mile ETs

•Additional performance features include adaptive damping suspension with Drag Mode, SRT hood with functional scoop, dual heat extractors and SRT black exhaust tips

•Special Super Bee badging and graphics dress up the hive

•Only 1,000 Dodge Charger Super Bee models will be produced: 500 Scat Pack vehicles (in B5 Blue) and 500 Scat Pack Widebody vehicles (in Plum Crazy)

•Six special-edition Dodge Challenger and Charger models will be revealed through Sept. 21, 2022, with the next two models to be announced on Sept. 7

•Seventh and final 2023 Dodge model — the very last of its kind — will be revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, scheduled for Nov. 1-4, 2022

•Like all 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger models, 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee vehicles will carry a commemorative 'Last Call' underhood plaque

•Details and specific information on the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee available at Dodge.com

•Information on the Never Lift 24-month road map to the Dodge brand's future is available at DodgeGarage.com

Dodge is continuing its rollout of the brand's 'Last Call' lineup, announcing the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee, the second of seven special-edition 'Last Call' models and one that honors a vehicle that has brought 'buzz' to the Dodge brand for decades.

The Dodge Super Bee, first introduced in 1968 and as a Charger model for 1971, reached legendary status in its brief original four-year run by giving customers an ultra-high-performance vehicle that could serve as both a daily driver and a weekend warrior at the track or drag strip. The 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee aims to carry on that legacy by offering the highest-performance Charger Super Bee model ever produced, with standard drag radials that help the Super Bee fly to low quarter-mile ETs and special Super Bee badging and graphics that dress up the hive.

The 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee follows last week's introduction of the special-edition 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown. Dodge 'Last Call' special-edition models celebrate the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, which in their current form are coming to an end. Six Challenger and Charger models will be revealed through September 21, 2022. The seventh and final 2023 Dodge model — the very last of its kind — will be revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, scheduled for Nov. 1-4, 2022.

'The Dodge Super Bee is more than commemorative of a cool heritage name — it is also a Charger variant of the Challenger 1320 grassroots race package,' said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. 'The special-edition 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee once again offers a Dodge vehicle that is equally at home on the street or on the drag strip.'

2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee

A limited number of 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bees will populate the hive. The special-edition vehicle will see a production run of only 1,000, with 500 Charger Scat Pack (in B5 Blue) and 500 Charger Scat Pack Widebody (in Plum Crazy) vehicles planned for production.

In addition to Plus Group and Carbon/Suede Package content, the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee special-edition model showcases a swarm of unique features, including: •Super Bee exterior badging on the grille and front fenders

•Super Bee exterior graphics on the functional hood scoop and rear fenders (blue graphics with B5 Blue, white graphics with Plum Crazy)

•20-by-9.5-inch knurled wheels with 275 drag radials (Scat Pack)

•18-by-11-inch drag wheels with 315 drag radials (Scat Pack Widebody)

•Adaptive damping suspension with Drag Mode

•Black Mopar hood pin kit

•SRT hood with functional scoop and dual heat extractors

•SRT black exhaust tips

•Red four-piston Brembo brake system

•Super Bee interior instrument panel badge

•Super Bee seat back logos

Dodge Charger Super Bee models, as with all seven of the 'Last Call' special-edition models, will be allocated to specific dealerships, with pricing and dealer information shared on DodgeGarage.com when vehicle ordering opens later this fall.

Details on the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee are available at Dodge.com. The next Dodge 'Last Call' models will be announced on September 7, 2022. Information on the Never Lift 24-month road map to the Dodge brand's future is available at DodgeGarage.com.

'Last Call' Highlights

In addition to the seven 'Last Call' special-edition models, Dodge brand will also celebrate its 2023 model lineup by bringing back three beloved heritage exterior colors: B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green. One popular modern color, Destroyer Grey, also returns to the fold. Charger and Challenger will each offer 14 total 2023 exterior color options. 2023 Charger and Challenger R/T models will also feature new '345' fender badging, a callout to the 345-cubic-inch HEMI® engine under the hood.

All 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger models will also carry a special commemorative 'Last Call' underhood plaque, making every 2023 Charger and Challenger especially desirable. The brushed aluminum underhood 'Last Call' plaque features the vehicle name and a vehicle silhouette, as well as 'Designed in Auburn Hills' and 'Assembled in Brampton' to proclaim each vehicle's origin.

The brand is also expanding the reach of its popular SRT Jailbreak models, which were introduced earlier this year for the Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, unlocking color combination ordering restrictions and exclusive content. For 2023 model year, Jailbreak models will also be available for the 717-horsepower Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat, providing even more owners the option of building their own one-of-a-kind muscle car.

Dodge is taking a new approach in getting the Charger and Challenger in the hands of its enthusiasts. The entire 2023 Charger and Challenger model-year run will be allocated to dealerships all at once, helping customers to identify and secure their dream cars more easily. Dodge will provide customers a guide for locating their desired Charger or Challenger at DodgeGarage.com, which will include information on all 2023 Charger and Challenger inventory at each Dodge dealership.

Ordering information for the 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger will be announced fall 2022.

by Dodge

The Dodge Charger was produced from 1966 through 1978, 1983 through 1987, and again beginning in 2006. Since its inception, the impressive performance and stylish bodies made the Charger an instant success. During its introductory year, 37,344 examples were produced.

The Dodge Charger was based on the Dodge Coronet platform, but with a fastback roofline. The headlights were retractable which resulted in a sportier appearance for the vehicle. The interior had four bucket seats with the rear seats able to be folded down that provided ample space for cargo. Under the hood was a 318 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produced 230 horsepower. Optional was the 361 and 426 cubic-inch Hemi, available in various configurations. The 426 Hemi produced 425 horsepower and would set the buyer back $1000, a considerable cost considering the base price was $3122. Only 468 of the Hemi option were purchased.

In 1967 Dodge added the 440 cubic-inch Magnum to the Charger model line. With 375 horsepower, it was a cheaper option than the Hemi, easy to tune, and came standard with the R/T package. The 318 cubic-inch was still the standard option with the 426 Hemi the top-of-the-line producing 45 horsepower and 490 foot-pounds of torque. The production total for the Charger in 1967 was around 15,000 with 118 of those selecting the Hemi engine.

The 1968 Charger was redesigned, now with hidden headlights and a curvy body. The design was a success and sales soared to over 92,000 units. The Hemi option was available, with around 470 buyers opting for the option. The R/T package was a popular option with 17,665 buyers. The standard on the R/T performance package was the 440 Magnum engine producing 375 horsepower. Many argue that 1968 was the most appealing muscle car of all 1960's era.

For 1969, Dodge decided to make only minor improvements to the Charger. The grille now had a chrome center divider. Two new Charger models were available. The Charger 500 was a performance machine with some styling cues similar to the Dodge Coronet. The big news was the Dodge charger Daytona which is easily identified by its larger vertical tail stabilizer and front nose extension. With just over 500 examples of the Daytona produced, the $4000 vehicle was available with either the Hemi or the 440 engine.

The Charger was redesigned in 1970 and became available in new colors. The SE version added leather seats and an electric sliding sunroof. Dodge introduced the 440 Six Pack which featured three Holley two-barrel carburetors and produced 390 horsepower. In total, there were just over 10,300 Chargers sold in 1970 with 42 of those sales including the 440 Six Pack and 116 opting for the Hemi.

The muscle car era was coming to a close. Government safety regulations, emission controls, and insurance premiums were beginning to force manufacturers into detuning their engines. This was the last year for the mighty Hemi engine, which retained its 425 horsepower rating. The 440 cubic-inch engine was now rated at 370, down by 5 horsepower. The 440 Six Pack also lost five horsepower. The Charger was redesigned and lost a few inches at the wheelbase. Available in SE and R/T trim, it now shared a body with the Super Bee. This body-style design lasted until 1974.

The Rallye was the performance model for the Dodge Charger for the years 1972 through 1974. The Rallye was equipped with the detuned 440 cubic-inch engine with four-barrel carburetors, hydraulic lifters, and five main bearings. The result was 280 horsepower for the years 1972 through 1973. In 1974 the horsepower dipped to 275.

For 1973, Dodge offered the base 318 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine, now rated at 255 horsepower. The 440 was producing 255 horsepower while the 440 Six-Pack produced 330 horsepower. The decrease in horsepower was due to the detuning to comply with government safety and emission regulations and because horsepower was no longer being quoted in terms of gross output but rather in terms of net output. The suspension was reworked resulted in a quieter and more comfortable ride.

The Charger's appearance became sportier in 1974, with minor aesthetic changes and larger quarter windows. The 318 V8 was rated at 175, the 440 V8 produced 280, and the 440 Six Pack produced 330 horsepower. The engine choices remained the same for 1974 but it would be the final year for its sporty persona. In 1975, Dodge repositioned the Charger as a luxury vehicle. They introduced the Charger SE, a near-clone of the Chrysler Cordoba. The SE came equipped with lots of standard equipment and a 360 cubic-inch engine producing 180 horsepower. The slant-six 318 and 400 were available in various configurations. The 360 fitted with a four-barrel, instead of the standard two-barrel carburetor, would increase the horsepower to 200.

In 1978, Dodge replaced the Charger with the Magnum which was basically a name change because the Magnum was identical to the Charger SE. The Charger name has reappeared in recent times, a tribute to the muscle-car phenomenon of the 1960's. The name was also used in the 1980's on the Dodge Omni.

L-Body

The Charger was brought back in 1981 as a performance package on the Omni 024 (and Plymouth Horizon TC3), called the Charger 2.2. The Charger 2.2 option may have improved the styling and performance of the Omni, but it was nothing like the Charger of the 1960's. The Charger 2.2 was given a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 85 horsepower. A hood scoop and a rear spoiler added to the performance look but did little to improve the overall performance. The aesthetics were updated in 1982, improving upon the performance persona with the addition of side scoops mounted behind the front wheels.

The base engine, a 1.7-liter unit that produced 70 horsepower, was produced by Volkswagen. In 1983, Volkswagen ceased the production of the engine. A new engine was found at Peugeot. Upon the addition of the new engine, Chrysler renamed the Omni 024 to Charger.

In 1984, quad headlights were added to the Charger making it easier to distinguish from its sibling, the Omni.

In 1987 production ceased for the Charger, Turismo, Omni, and Horizon.

Shelby Charger

In 1983 Carroll Shelby made modifications to the Charger that included both mechanical and aesthetic improvements, increasing the performance of the vehicle. All major aspects of the vehicle were updated, including the suspension, brakes, steering, engine, and transmission. The front-end was modified and racing stripes traversed the entire length of the vehicle. In its first year, over 8200 examples were sold.

In 1984 the engine was again addressed, this time horsepower improved by around 5. An automatic transmission became available, as did a new red exterior paint color. The other colors available were black with silver stripes, blue with silver stripes, and silver with blue stripes.

In 1985 an MPFI turbo-charged was installed, raising horsepower to nearly 150. Little was changed in the following years with production ceasing in 1987 after nearly 16400 examples of the turbo-version produced. 1,000 of the last Dodge Shelby Chargers were purchased by Carroll Shelby and converted them into the Shelby Charger CLHS. The vehicles were rebadged with the Shelby logo replacing the Dodge logo. Using Knoi adjustable shocks and struts, the suspension was greatly improved. The tires were improved Z-tires and the intercooler and components of the Turbo II engine were installed. All were painted in black.

2005 Charger

source: Dodge

One of the biggest names from the muscle car era – powered its way out of its storied past and onto the stage at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Charger coming off the line and out of garages create a new reputation for the Dodge legend, featuring a modern design to back up its 21st-century muscle car power, sports car handling, and cutting-edge technology.

With a 250-horsepower High Output V-6 engine or the optional 340-horsepower HEMI® engine powering large 18-inch rear wheels, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger races into the car market with bold, provocative styling and substance without losing the convenience of a modern sedan.

The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger features rear-wheel drive with near 50/50 weight distribution and advanced technologies that offer a superb ride and responsive handling in all surface and traction conditions.

The Multiple Displacement System (MDS) on the Dodge Charger's HEMI engine seamlessly deactivates four cylinders in just 40 milliseconds – quicker than a blink of an eye – when full V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy by up to 20 percent. The HEMI engine with MDS completed more than 6.5 million customer-equivalent miles through the Chrysler Group's development and durability testing.

After a 30-year absence, Charger returns to the track beginning in February 2005. The historic Dodge Charger nameplate returns to NASCAR Nextel Cup competition as the successor to the race-winning Dodge Intrepid race cars of 2001- 2004, and to the storied Dodge Charger race cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s that earned several national championships.

Following the adage that 'racing improves the breed,' motorsports competition has long been part of the Dodge heritage. From engineering labs in Auburn Hills, Mich., to shop floors in Charlotte, N.C., Dodge, its teams and its dealers live the philosophy it takes to be successful in the ultra-competitive world of racing.

by Dan Vaughan