Chargers evoke something primal; a rumble through the ages of automotive history. In the twilight of an era defined by brash power and unapologetic speed, the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee Last Call emerges as a final salute to an icon. This limited edition, street-and-strip beast pays homage to its iconic moniker. With a heritage deeply rooted in the muscle car culture, the Last Call edition delivers a thunderous valediction to an era of pure American muscle.

In this review, we'll explore the noteworthy updates, design changes, interior enhancements, dissect the powerhouse under the hood, and discussion my driving impressions of this bittersweet farewell.

History

To Dodge fans, the Dodge Charger Super Bee Last Call is not just a car; it's a rolling chronicle of the Charger's storied past. The Charger's legacy dates back to the 1960s, where it became an emblem of American muscle dominance. The Super Bee moniker, initially introduced in the late '60s, became synonymous with raw power and uncompromising performance.

Over the decades, the Charger evolved, adapting to changing automotive landscapes, moving from two door coupe to four door sedan. The Last Call edition serves as a limited production 1000 unit run to bookend to this chapter of Charger history, encapsulating the essence of an internal combustion engine muscle car that has transcended generations.

Exterior Styling

Approaching this masterpiece from the outside, you instantly know it's not just 'any' car. The Last Call is draped in the legendary Super Bee aesthetics, featuring those magnetic power bulges, angry headlights, and the signature "Super Bee" graphic proudly slapped on its hindquarters. It's a visual declaration of intent, an homage to the past, and an intimidating presence on the modern road.

The B5 blue is one of three beloved heritage exterior colours offered, which also include Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green. A total of 14 exterior colour options are available.

This send-off edition also features a bold front grille proudly showcasing the legendary Super Bee emblem, hinting at the power that lies beneath the Mopar hood pin secured hood.

Like other Challengers, LED headlights and racetrack taillights illuminate the way, seamlessly integrating with the sleek bodywork. Blacked-out accents, distinctive side sills, and a rear spoiler contribute to its aerodynamic appeal.

The Last Call Edition also rolls on 20-inch wheels clad in high-performance tires. Scat Pack cars get 20 x 9.5 inch knurled wheels with 275 drag radials whereas Scat Pack Widebody cars are fitted with super wide 18 x 11 inch drag wheels with 315 drag radials.

Under the Hood

Beneath the muscular facade lies the beating heart of the 2023 Charger Super Bee Last Call. Powering this beast is a formidable 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, generating an exhilarating 485 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain propels the Charger Super Bee from 0 to 100 km/hr in a blistering 4.3 seconds. The Last Call Edition comes equipped with performance enhancements such as an upgraded exhaust system with SRT black tips, optimized suspension, and red four piston Brembo brakes, ensuring an adrenaline-fueled driving experience.

Interior and Tech

Stepping inside reveals an interior that is a blend of the modern and the quintessential muscle car. It's cavernous, with enough room to comfortably seat five adults. The Super Bee get a few special touches inside in the form of split alcantara and leather seats with nicely embroidered Super Bee logos, and a matching Super Bee badge on the dashboard.

There is an optional carbon fibre trim package to spice things up, but otherwise things are standard issue. The materials are not what you'd find in a luxury car, and the cabin tech might seem a few years behind. For example, the GPS navigation graphics are rather small by today’s standards, and there is no surround view camera nor wireless Apple CarPlay. Nonetheless, there are a few interesting race specific SRT features in the infotainment system.

Within the Uconnect system, one can also find options for the line-lock feature (for burnouts), RPM adjustable launch control settings, and toggle switch inspired graphics to add to it all.

In place of the traditional physical gauges, there are pages of digital gauges to suit even the most discerning muscle car enthusiast’s desires.

Driving Impressions

With its 6.4 litres of Hemi power V8 and performance-oriented enhancements, the 2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee Last Call does not disappoint behind the wheel. The acceleration is breathtaking, propelling you forward with commanding force. The power delivery is immediate and immense, urging you to approach and break speed limits with cavalier nonchalance.

The exhaust note resonates with an intoxicating growl, unmistakably announcing your presence. The reasonably precise steering and enhanced suspension contribute to exceptional handling, allowing you to confidently tackle corners and twisty roads, so long as you are aware that this is still a big car. It dives into corners with tenacity, tangoing with the laws of physics like a heavyweight boxer with the grace of a matador.

Whether you're cruising on the highway or dominating the drag strip, the Charger Super Bee Last Call delivers exhilaration at every turn, in a Thor’s hammer sort of way rather than as a surgical instrument.

One could argue that it's too much power for the day-to-day, but isn't a muscle car's job to be more than enough?

The 485 horses and 472 lb-ft of torque are surprisingly well managed by the eight-speed automatic transmission, and the flappy paddles also work surprisingly quickly when a gear change is commanded, particularly when track mode is dialed in.

While it's starting to get long in the tooth, the Uconnect infotainment system, hard button controls, and advanced driver-assistance features seamlessly blend with the Charger's visceral driving experience.

While the seats may be well-bolstered but on the soft side, they do provide surprisingly good support during spirited drives.

Since the Charger Super Bee is a full-sized family car at the end of the day, there is a decent amount of rear seat room, and plenty of space in the trunk for 5 passengers worth of stuff.

Final Thoughts

In this era of electric dreams and hybrid aspirations, there's a distinct poetry to the last breaths of a pure-bred V8.

Admittedly, the Super Bee is not the most refined car on the market. Its corners can't be cut as sharply as some of its European counterparts, and its ride is not plush enough to craft complex hieroglyphs with your coffee cup on the way to work.

But there's a raw, unapologetic nature to its design that forgoes subtleness for a brash, in-your-face confidence that's becoming increasingly rare.