Dodge unveils Charger Widebody concept

Low and wide, the sedan could become a reality for the 2020 model year.

Dodge traveled to the annual Spring Fest (a celebration of LX-based and LX-derived cars) to unveil the long-rumored Charger Widebody as a close-to-production concept. The model will allegedly make its debut in time for the 2020 model year.

Surprisingly, Dodge has kept quiet about the concept; it only released one image of it on its official Twitter account. We don't know how much wider the flares make the Charger. To add context, the Widebody package adds 3.5 inches to the Challenger's width. We can tell that the extra girth let Dodge install wider tires to improve grip and handling, and it's safe to bet the Charger concept also receives a specific suspension. We'll update this story if Dodge decides to release more information.

Stylists made a handful of minor design tweaks to the Widebody concept. Fender flares aside, the changes are largely limited to a new grille that's almost Durango-like, bigger air vents chiseled into the bottom part of the front bumper, and redesigned rear lights. The concept also rides on new-look wheels.

An earlier report claimed the Widebody package will be available on two models in the range: the R/T Scat Pack and the SRT Hellcat. The first will offer a naturally-aspirated, 6.4-liter V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The second will boast a supercharged, 6.2-liter V8 tuned to deliver a mighty 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. At this point, it sounds like even the wider Charger won't receive the 797-horsepower V8 found in the Challenger Redeye.

Though the New York auto show is right around the corner, we may not see the Dodge Charger Widebody until the Woodward Dream Cruise taking place in August of 2019. Dodge hasn't commented on the report, so we'll have to wait to find out whether or not it's accurate.