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Rust in Peace: These 2023 models are headed for the automotive graveyard
Posted by Talbot Payne on October 26, 2023
A walk through the Halloween graveyard reveals a number of new automobile headstones. As the industry transitions to electric platforms under strict government EV regulations, a number of models are getting the ax in 2023.
Among the deceased are familiar nameplates like the Dodge Challenger and Nissan Maxima as well as exotics like Audi R8 and Ferrari Portofino. Fear not, however, many of these badges are sure to return. So long and Rust in Peace.
Dodge Challenger/Charger
Dodge’s popular, gas-fueled Challenger coupe and Charger sedan — powered by their 700-plus horsepower Hellcat models — roared to the top of the muscle car sales charts in recent years with the Challenger even dethroning the iconic Mustang. Federal emissions fines, however, have doomed them to an early grave. Dodge honored the last year of production with a variety of Last Call special models, including the $100k, 1,025-horse Demon 170 that can rocket to 60 mph in just 1.7 seconds. The Charger badge will live on as the battery-powered Daytona SRT EV. Expect Challenger to return soon, sans Hellcat V-8, with a turbocharged inline-6 engine
Chrysler 300
Based on the same platform as the Charger, the 300 ends its 18-year run with a limited run of V-8 and V6-powered units. The 300S was the personal wheels of stylin’ 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama — another satisfied customer of the “affordable Rolls Royce” and its slab sides, big grille and big V-8 power.
Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV
Chevy is killing off its first volume electric car. The Bolt hatchback was introduced to much fanfare in 2016 with over 200 miles of range, beating the Tesla Model 3 to market amid hopes it would be the Silicon Valley sedan’s match. Bolt sales never approached those of the Model 3 — even with the introduction of the larger EUV variant in 2022 — as customers shied from its plastic interior and slow charging rate. In its final year, Bolt has become one of the market’s best EV values as Chevy slashed its price under $30k and the feds restored its $7,500 tax subsidy. Look for Bolt to be reborn soon on GM’s new Ultium battery platform.
Chevrolet Camaro Turbo
The end of this year marks the beginning of the end of the Camaro coupe as the bow-tie brand nixes entry-level LS models equipped with the 275-horse turbo-4 engine. For its final 2024 year of production, Camaro will start at $32k with a 3.6-liter V-6. The latest ‘Maro wowed enthusiasts with its handling when it was introduced in 2016 — but sales fell off a cliff as customers defected to Mustang and Challenger.
Audi R8
Audi’s mid-engine supercar comes to the end of the road after 16 seasons and two generations. The first model, introduced in 2006, bore a “sideburn” decoration behind the B-pillar to compensate for the car’s awkward proportions This was fixed for Gen 2 and — combined with an optional V10 engine — the R8 was one of the most distinctive designs on the market.
Ferrari Portofino M
Exotics fans covet Ferrari for its track-eating, mid-engine hellions, but the front-engine Portofino M was cut from different cloth. Fun to drive topless with a glorious, 4.3-liter, flat-plane crank V-8, it was most at home cruising down big boulevards. It will be mourned, but Portofino fans will welcome the more powerful, 612-horse, twin-turbocharged, 3.9-liter V-8 Roma Spider in its place. Roma will sport a traditional cloth roof as opposed to the Portofino’s hardtop convertible.
Kia Stinger
The sexy Stinger redefined the econobox Korean brand when it debuted in 2018. With sleek hatchback styling and a throaty, 368-horse, twin-turbo V-6 under the hood, the Stinger GT was an Audi A7 for 25 grand less. With an entry-level turbo-4, the roomy hatch can be had for a mere $37k. Stinger has been replaced by the equally ambitious, $15k-more-expensive, battery-powered EV6 with a GT model that can hit 60 mph in a scorching 3.2 seconds
Mazda CX-9
Mazda is replacing one three-row SUV with another. The stylish, quick CX-9 is giving way to the quicker, roomier (and still stylish) CX-90. While praised for its wardrobe and nimble handling, CX-90 lacked punch and segment staples like a panoramic roof. The CX-90 fixes that with a glass roof, silky inline-6 cylinder engine — and a trendy, plug-in hybrid option to capture greens and government credits.
Mazda MX-30
The quirky ute was the brand’s first toe in the EV waters. It sported clever features like cabinet-style doors, but its mere 100-mile range and $35k price tag guaranteed a short lifespan.
Mercedes
The German luxury brand is paring its model lineup as it pours money into parallel electric and gas model lines. The A-Class went away last year and the fastback, four-door CLS follows this year. C-Class and E-Class customers will also have less choice as the convertible and coupe models disappear. Only sedan versions survive. Don’t be too glum, however, as an all-new convertible/coupe CLE debuts for 2024 to replace all four models.
Nissan Maxima
Large sedans not named Dodge Charger have struggled in the Age of Ute, and the long-running Maxima will turn off its lights after 2023. The Maxima badge still carries a lot of weight for its stylish performance, so expect it to be resurrected as — what else? — an EV.
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.