FCA Trademarks Barracuda Name, But Don’t Get Your Hopes Up

Production of the 21st century Dodge Challenger officially commenced on May 8th, 2008, more than seven years ago. In that time the Challenger has undergone fewer than three overhauls to keep it feeling fresh and new, even as crosstown rivals GM and Ford roll out their next-generation muscle cars. Some people assume a new Challenger is right around the corner, but not everyone is quite so sure.

The Mopar maniacs over at AllPar discovered that Fiat-Chrysler Automotive has filed for a trademark registration for the Barracuda name, as it relates to automobiles. Don’t get too excited though, as the Barracuda name has been trademarked before, back when Fiat and Chrysler weren’t joined at the hip. FCA could simply be protecting another automaker from taking the name, or third-party vendors from selling unofficial, Barracuda-branded clothes and badges.

Or this could be something much, much bigger. The Dodge Challenger is an awesome throwback vehicle, but FCA is undoubtedly looking for ways to downsize the heftiest muscle car from the its main rivals. The Barracuda was a smaller car back in its day, and was seen as a more direct rival to the Camaro and Mustang, which has fed rumors of its return. It was also sold under the defunct Plymouth brand. So there’s that to consider too.

However, FCA has already revealed in its five-year plan that the Challenger is going to be replaced in 2018, capping off a ten-year run that’s longer than most cars enjoy these days. That’s just two and a half years away, leaving limited options and time for replacement. The Challenger was a true muscle car in its day, but the world is spinning towards smaller engines and lighter cars.

Rather than trying to force-feed the Challenger faithful a downsized version of a car that’s had its time in the sun, perhaps it’s time to bring back another classic for the 21st century. What do you think?