Dodge Charger and Challenger refreshed for New York auto show

Dodge is set to unveil a refreshed Charger and Challenger for the 2015 model year. Prior to the debut of the models at the New York auto show next week, the automaker has dropped a few teaser images. First, Dodge has given the front fascia of the Charger a serious redesign, trading the large, upright headlights for sleeker units, also dramatically altering the grille design.

Based on the image above, the large hexagonal grille split by a black bumper may be gone as a design element entirely, since it is no longer outlined by a body-colored frame as on the 2014 model. The headlights themselves are no longer set further back in the body, as they are on the current Charger, but are almost parallel with the surface of the grille. The images released do not reveal what the lower part of the grille looks like, though given the body-colored front bumper lines, the shape of the grille may turn out to be a rectangle in the shape of a soft V, something akin to Audi's corporate grille. If you've become used to the face of the Charger, you'll probably find that the 2015 model will be a dramatic departure from the current design, as Dodge has altered nearly every body panel on the car.

Dodge
The Super Bee graphics may signal the return of a more powerful version than the SRT.

The Challenger will also receive a facelift for the 2015 model year, though it is widely believed to be much milder than that of the Charger. We are likely to see a modest fine-tuning of the classic front fascia which, after all, evokes the visage of the original Challenger. There simply isn't room for a dramatic redesign that Challenger fans won't recognize. It is believed that the redesigned front fascia will sport a slightly narrower look, with a revised lower lip and slightly refined headlights.

Dodge has also revealed an image of the 2015 Challenger's instrument panel, which will be shared with the Charger and features the Super Bee graphics. This is interesting, though somewhat ambiguous, because it may signal either the return of the Super Bee package, or simply be a Scat Pack appearance trim. Dodge recently revealed details of the Mopar-branded Scat Pack packages for the Charger and the Challenger, but has stayed mum on whether we might see an actual Super Bee version of either car. A sportier version of the Challenger positioned above the SRT has been rumored for some time, perhaps powered by the rumored Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing as much as 640 hp -- the appearance of Super Bee graphics may signal the debut of such a model at the New York auto show next week.

The 2014 New York auto show runs April 16-27 and is expected to attract a range of production and concept cars including the 2015 Mustang convertible, BMW M4 convertible and next Hyundai Sonata. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage at autoweek.com/new-york-auto-show.

By Jay Ramey