When the Dodge brothers created Dodge, they got an offer from Henry Ford. Starting from 1903, they worked together to build vehicles. The brothers provided Ford with engines and transmissions for every car, including the Model T. One of the brothers even became the executive director of Ford, and both of them made a large fortune.
However, they wanted to do more than just manufacture parts, so they opened their own car factory. In 1914, the first Dodge car was built. The company got over 22 000 applications from American dealerships before they even showed the prototype.
The Dodge Viper was a sweetheart that, unfortunately, ceased production in 2017 due to sales, emissions and safety reasons. According to rumors, the Barracuda could replace the Viper and even use some of its parts. However, the Barracuda offers a lot of new features. Here are 15 little known details about the next Dodge Barracuda.
15 The Strengthened Engine
The company hasn't announced the exact engine specs yet, but we already know that it's going to be a strengthened 6.2l or 6.4l option with a bore of 105.4 mm and a long stroke. On top of that sits the renewed 2.4L Supercharger. With the right fuel, the car can produce over 800 hp.
14 Faster Than Any Other Barracuda
The Barracuda should be able to reach top speeds faster than any other previous model. The first-gen car could reach 118 mph. The 2nd-gen model delivered 123 mph. The final generation is rumored to hit a speed of 155 mph. However, some people believe it can get up to 203 mph.
13 Various In-House Suspension Options
The company promises to deliver different in-house and 3rd party suspension setups. We know that one of them will be the magnetic dampening suspension. The company also said that the car will be more powerful and faster on the track than the Hellcat. This also means that the car will get a "Viper"-like price tag.
12 Base Price Of $28 690
The estimated base price for the new Barracuda is $28 690, which is very similar to the current-gen Challenger. As we know, its direct competitors, the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, retail for $26 750 and $26 600 respectively. There should be performance packages that would sell for up to $70 000.
11 Aggressive Macho Design
Judging by the pictures, the car will have an aggressive macho design both inside and outside. The new Barracuda is a sleeker version of the previous-gen with incredible speed and a Challenger body. We already know that the frame is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulia platform.
10 New Aerodynamic Body
The Barracuda gets an aerodynamic body with a wider frame and sleek, streamlined curves. The interior design follows the exterior's aero theme. Unlike other muscle cars, the Barracuda will offer a wide variety of smart features and electronic units. The company mentions safety and luxury components, as well as an improvement in the ride quality.
9 Gets The Best From The Challenger
Dodge said that the Barracuda will be of a smaller production compared to the Challenger. Still, these two cars will have a lot in common, including some major architectural aspects. While there are rumors that the chassis will come from the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Dodge emphasizes that the Barracuda will be different than other cars.
8 Driver Centric
All switches, levers, and gauges in the Barracuda will be centered around the driver. The design revolves around the idea of comfortable driving. The instrument panel features heritage-inspired Tic-Toc-Tach gauges. The 10-way adjustable seat should help create the best driving position. We should also expect a new gauge cluster and a shift knob.
7 Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring Technology
Dodge hasn't revealed all smart features yet but we already know that the car will take care of many things. For example, it should have radar sensors to check for vehicles in your blind spot and warn you of them. Smart systems in Dodge's cars activate automatically and provide an audible warning.
6 Peace-Of-Mind Systems
The Dodge Barracuda should get Adaptive Cruise Control and other systems that keep a safe distance and warn you of a possible crash. These systems use radars and cameras to analyze and maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This way, you should be prepared to take corrective actions.
5 Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control serves the greatest role in the powerful vehicle like the Barracuda. When excessive power is applied while cornering, the car will spin. Spinning happens when wheels lose traction. This loss of traction can be prevented by a quick system response. ESC relies on the braking system, which should also be electronically controlled.
4 Rain Brake Support
When the windshield wipers are working, the Rain Brake Support system gets automatically activated. It applies small amounts of brake pressure to remove water buildup on the rotors. This simple action improves performance in wet conditions. As the company said, drivers don't need to perform any actions to activate the system.
3 Hill Start Assist
When the car stops on an incline, Hill Start Assist helps prevent rollback. If you release the brake while stopped on a hill, the system will hold the brake pressure for a short period of time. If you don't apply the throttle before the time ends, the system will release the pressure.
2 Brake Assist System
Brake Assist System helps you during the hardest braking maneuvers. It can detect emergency situations by sensing the amount of brake application and then apply the right amount of pressure to the brakes. This reduces braking distances. Once you release the brake pedal, the Brake Assist System gets automatically deactivated.
1 Dynamic Steering Torque
Dynamic Steering Torque works together with the Electronic Stability Control system and provides enough torque in situations when sensors detect car instability. The torque helps you realize the best steering behavior. The only notification that you receive when the system is active is the feeling that extra torque is applied to the steering wheel.