Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] in its five-year strategy announcement made in May 2014 stated that a new Dodge Charger would be launched in 2018.

Reports last year claimed the new Charger’s launch had been pushed back to 2019 or perhaps even later.

Now we’re hearing that a new Charger won’t arrive until early in the next decade.

The information comes from Automotive News (subscription required), whose sources claim FCA will give the current Charger another update to help keep it fresh. The current Charger was introduced for the 2006 model year and given a significant update for 2015. The second update is expected to be introduced for the 2019 model year.

1999 Dodge Charger R/T concept

1999 Dodge Charger R/T concept

As for the next Charger, it’s expected to benefit from a stretched version of the rear-wheel-drive Giorgio platform that debuted in the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Engineers are said to be focused on getting the weight of the new Charger down to about 3,500 pounds, a saving of almost 500 lb over the current Charger.

With less weight to carry, FCA will be able to offer the car with smaller engines including 4-cylinder units. One of the engines will likely be a new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with around 300 horsepower on tap. This engine is thought to be making its debut in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

As for styling, a more coupe-like profile similar to that featured on Dodge’s Charger R/T concept car from 1999 (shown above) is expected.

It’s not clear what will happen to the car’s Chrysler 300 sibling, though FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne recently hinted that the next-generation model might adopt the front-wheel-drive platform that debuted in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

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