The winds of change are stirring in the automotive industry. Amidst the EV fiasco a lot of companies experienced, some manufacturers decided to look back to their heritage or unfulfilled potential, and once again get back on enthusiasts’ radar. Stellantis plans 60 new models by 2030, across its portfolio of brands, and some of them will be from Dodge.
We recently spoke about a new affordable performance sedan (or coupe) by Stellantis that will likely wear the Dodge badge, but that’s far from everything we know. Stellantis recently revealed the development of a new halo car, named after the 1997 concept. But while the original Copperhead previewed a lightweight Miata competitor, the new Copperhead SRT will be a true flagship performance car, sitting at the top of the SRT food chain.
The Copperhead SRT will be in a completely different category.
The original concept featured a 2.7-liter V-6 producing 220 horsepower. It was a fully-functional prototype featuring a five-speed manual sending power to the rear, and capable of 0 to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds. It also featured a curb weight of 2,855 pounds.
The Copperhead SRT will be much larger. Being a flagship model, it is expected to feature a supercharged V-6 - likely the 6.2-liter pushrod unit we know from the Hellcat models. Stellantis’ “roadmap” foresees a 100 percent refreshed lineup by 2030, with many new models joining in. The image above showcases two Dodge models still under wraps.
The GLH could be the aforementioned affordable performance model, while the other one seems to be a high-performance model with aggressive aero. That said, this could also be the new Dodge Cuda that was teased earlier. However, the Copperhead SRT is described as a “hyper muscle car” with aggressive aero and a tall rear wing, and judging by the silhouette of the wrapped model, it fits the bill.
We could be getting more than one high-performance model, but until we get the whole story, we can only guess. One thing is certain: the Copperhead is coming around 2029, and will go like hell.
We know that the new Dodge Copperhead will be underpinned by the STLA Large platform, which also underpins the new Charger. However, it will be significantly reworked and feature a shorter wheelbase. This will be Dodge’s answer to the Corvette Z06 and the Mustang GTD, which turned out more powerful after a dyno run revealed its true output.
The question we are all asking ourselves
With the Copperhead SRT confirmed as the next Dodge halo car, one question remains - what about the Viper? The enigmatic American sports car was discontinued in August 2017, after five generations, and a solidified reputation for a car that’s not for the faint of heart. Dodge executives are adamant that the upcoming model is “not the Viper”, but it will still be in the same spirit.
With CAFE regulations loosened, hybridization might not be in the equation, although, as Porsche demonstrated with its T-Hybrid system, the advantages are apparent. V-8 muscle fans will not like it anyway, so this is basically a carte blanche for Dodge to give us an old-school “hyper-muscle” without any complicated tech in order to cover some strict carbon-footprint requirements.
The only thing I am worried about is whether the STLA Large platform will be refined enough to handle the high-performance demands of the Copperhead SRT. The Dodge Charger is a fairly heavy vehicle at up to 4,800 pounds for the gas-powered one (up to 5,800 pounds for the EV one), and is more geared for comfort. Then again, the Mustang GTD shares the same platform as the regular ‘Stand, and that turned out great, so we should be good.
What are your thoughts on the 2029 Dodge Copperhead SRT? Should they make a manual version for the purest driving experience, as they did with the Charger and Challenger Hellcats years ago? Or should it be an all-out track weapon, optimized for lap times instead of driver involvement? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.
Other relevant experiences in the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Wikimedia / Dodge Copperhead, Stellantis press
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