The Plymouth Barracuda, affectionately known as the ‘Cuda, is one of the world’s most celebrated muscle cars. But Plymouth is long gone, with only its sister brand, Dodge left behind to carry on its muscle car legacy. And it seems the Brotherhood of Muscle wants to bring the Cuda name back, with a new trademark filed by FCA hinting at its return.
First spotted by the CarBuzz sleuths after a filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the trademark has been categorized under classes 6 and 16 for badges and decals. New and potential model names typically fall under class 12 for motor vehicles. So, what does this mean? Are we getting a Dodge Cuda or not?
Trademark filings do not guarantee the use of a name in future vehicles and are often used exclusively as a means of protecting intellectual property and naming trends. Such a filing cannot be construed as confirmation of production intent.
A New Cuda? No, But What About A Special Trim?
That’s highly unlikely, given the classifications of the filing. Instead, the likely scenario is that the Cuda name will be used for a trim level or special edition on future models. This is a unique way for FCA US (now part of Stellantis) to honor one of its most iconic models without diluting the nameplate in any way.
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Several brands fall under the FCA/Stellantis umbrella, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, and Dodge. Since the Cuda name is closely associated with muscle cars, Cuda may be applied to any of Dodge’s models, especially the new electric Charger lineup.
A Special Edition Charger Daytona Would Be Great
The new electric Charger Daytona, available in two- and four-door body styles, was revealed earlier this year with up to 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. More powerful models are to follow and will wear the Banshee name. So, the Cuda name may not have anything to do with performance. Of course, it could be a styling package that borrows design elements from the old Cuda. A package with hood pins, a black-painted roof, and black stripes would look great, especially as the new Charger has retro styling cues.
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Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Turned Into Modern-Day Plymouth Hemi Cuda
This one’s up for auction, and you can get the original to make it a matching set.
Let’s not forget that a gas-powered Charger is also on the way. We already know that Dodge is taking advantage of the ‘Six Pack’ name. Originally a reference to the three two-barrel carburetors on the intake, the name now alludes to the cylinder count, making the idea of a six-cylinder muscle car more attractive to V8-loving customers. It remains to be seen whether Dodge (or Stellantis) uses the hallowed name, but we hope the automaker does it justice. As rival automaker Ford can attest, using a historical name for a modern car may rub fans the wrong way.
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