2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye - Driven
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Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye - Driven
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Year:2021
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Engine:V8
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Horsepower @ RPM:797
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Torque @ RPM:707
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Displacement:6.2 L
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0-60 time:3.5 sec.
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Top Speed:203 mph
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The range-topping Charger has a lot of good points and a few bad
The current Dodge Charger has been on the market since 2011 and, while it is getting a little long in the tooth, Dodge has continuously found ways to keep it interesting. It didn’t go so far as to make a Charger Demon to match the widely loved Challenger Demon, but it certainly came close with the car you see here – the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye – a 797-horsepower monster of a car that’s capable of standing down some of the world’s finest sports cars with nothing but some good old fashioned American muscle. Being such a powerful sedan, we’ve been curious about just what it can offer and whether or not near-800 horsepower puts it out family car segment altogether. We got to spend a week with it, and this is what we’ve learned.
Latest Dodge Charger news and reviews:
2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak
Next to the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak, Dodge is applying the same "Jailbreak" treatment to the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Both models will be on display at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show and will on sale toward the end of 2021. The new "Jailbreak" packages was priced at $995.
To Hell with Emissions - Dodge Brings Back the Direct Connection Performance Program
Over the last decade, Dodge has been giving us all sorts of high-performance cars, based on the Challenger and Charger models. And while one of their most iconic models – the Dodge Viper – was retired a few years ago, Dodge wants to make up for it, by reviving an old performance program. It’s called Direct Connection and here’s what you can expect from it.
2022 Dodge Challenger And Charger HEMI® Orange Pack
Not sure about you, but in our opinion black and orange is the perfect combination of colors on a sports car. And what better time to launch a special edition Charger and Challenger using the exact black and orange theme if not Halloween?
The new HEMI® Orange appearance package will be offered for the 2022 Dodge Charger and Challenger GT RWD and Scat Pack Widebody models and will have a price of $2,995 for GT RWD models and $1,500 for Scat Pack Widebody models.
2022 Dodge Charger And Challenger SRT Black Package
In the same time with the launch of the HEMI® Orange Pack, Dodge also launched the SRT Black package for the Charger and the Challenger. The new package will be offered for the SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye models and will be priced at $695.
Is This 2JZ-Swapped Dodge Charger The Ultimate Act Of Sacrilege?
We are all familiar with the tuning potential of the 2JZ engine, which makes it one of the more popular engine swaps. That said, there are certain boundaries one should not be crossing. This is exactly what Mike Finnegan, from Finnegan’s Garage YouTube channel, did, as he took the rustiest 1968 Dodge Charger and put a 2JZ GTE engine in it. While it’s up for debate whether that’s worse than putting an LS into it (at least it’s a V-8) some MOPAR fans are sure to blow a fuse or two over Finnegan’s build.
This Mid-Engined, Hellcat-Powered 1968 Dodge Charger Is a Perfect Replica of Dom’s Charger in Fast and Furious 9
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Ram 1500 TRX vs Dodge Charger Hellcat: This Intra-Family Feud Has Us Hyped
The folks at The Fast Lane Truck took the Ram 1500 TRX and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody to a drag strip for a couple of races. Both these Stellantis products are absolute beasts and churn out almost 1,500 horses and 1,350 pound-feet of torque combined. On paper, the Charger holds the edge over the TRX. But, can it be replicated on the race strip, or will the TRX get the bragging rights?
SpeedKore’s Dodge Charger Hellraiser Is Built For Kevin Hart
It has been a while since we last heard about SpeedKore and in a way, the whole waiting paid off. The Wisconsin-based custom shop that used to delight our eyes at SEMA has been brewing something over the past months and now it is finally out. Meet the SpeedKore Dodge Charger Hellraiser built specifically for comedian and actor Kevin Hart.
2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye - Driven
The current Dodge Charger has been on the market since 2011 and, while it is getting a little long in the tooth, Dodge has continuously found ways to keep it interesting. It didn’t go so far as to make a Charger Demon to match the widely loved Challenger Demon, but it certainly came close with the car you see here – the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye – a 797-horsepower monster of a car that’s capable of standing down some of the world’s finest sports cars with nothing but some good old fashioned American muscle. Being such a powerful sedan, we’ve been curious about just what it can offer and whether or not near-800 horsepower puts it out family car segment altogether. We got to spend a week with it, and this is what we’ve learned.
We’re Pretty Sure This Dumb Dodge Charger Driver is a Former Ford Mustang Driver
Stupid drivers know no bounds, and they certainly don’t favor one muscle car over another. Take this nincompoop, for example. Driving a camouflaged Dodge Charger SRT 392 at a car gathering in Houston, the driver decides to demonstrate his burnout skills in front of a gathered crowd.
That kind of stunt normally ends in one of two ways. He either pulls off the burnout to the delight of the adoring crowd or something goes horribly wrong and he’s left with more than pee down his trousers. Unfortunately, it’s the latter. Just as he attempts his burnout, the driver loses control of the Charger SRT 392 and crashes into a gathered crowd, taking a few bystanders along the way. Fortunately, no one got seriously hurt, and to the delight of Ford, it wasn’t a Mustang that ended up being on the short end of this YouTube lowlight.
1966 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger was Chrysler Corporation’s more luxurious response to the Mustang, billed as a mid-size fastback coupe similar in size and shape to the AMC Marlin. It was based on the Coronet but shared none of its visuals and spawned a number of super quick versions that tortured just about any early Mustangs.
The year was 1966 when Dodge finally joined the fastback muscle car party with the Charger. It was based on the B-body platform and was previewed in an ad that ran during that year’s Rose Bowl which talked about the new "Leader of the Dodge Rebellion."
The original Charger was a more refined coupe sitting just under the personal luxury category dominated by Ford’s T-Bird. That’s why performance wasn’t paramount from the get-go although the 426 Hemi engine was duly available. Also, Dodge quickly put the Charger on the track in the Nascar series, the car winning the 1966 NASCAR Grand National championship with driver David Pearson.
2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye
The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye is the range-topping version of Charger four-door sedan lineup. An upgrade to the more familiar Charger SRT Hellcat, the Redeye borrows its looks, drivetrain, and technology from the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. And just like the coupe, the sedan includes drivetrain components from the Challenger SRT Demon. Since there won’t be a Demon version of the Charger, the 2021 SRT Hellcat Redeye is the most powerful version of the American sedan. What’s more, it’s also the fastest and most powerful mass-produced sedan in the world. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.
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The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Is Fastest and Most Powerful Sedan In the World
The current-generation Dodge Charger is a bit long in the tooth. Introduced in 2011, it’s already nine years old as of 2020, and some argue that the 2015 facelift didn’t bring notable improvements beyond the looks and some extra tech. But Dodge did offer an SRT Hellcat model, which proved that the old Charger is not yet ready to surrender. Now, the FCA-owned brand takes things up a notch with the SRT Hellcat Redeye. Basically a sedan version of the Challenger with the same name, the Charger finally gets some bits and pieces from the extreme Challenger Demon. Granted, it’s a full-fledged, drag-ready Demon, but it’s the most extreme current-generation Charger you can buy. And if that’s not enough for you, it’s also the most powerful and fastest sedan in the world!
2020 Dodge Charger 392 Scat Pack Widebody - Driven
The demand for sedans – and cars in general, for that matter – has been plummeting for some now, and a lot of automakers have started to or completely withdrawn from the segment altogether. As of now, you’d be hard pressed to find a performance sedan outside of the Dodge Charger, without looking to German- or Japanese-built cars, and even then, a big chunk of those fall into the luxury category. This week, we were treated to a week’s worth of driving the 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody, and it got us to thinking – without any real homegrown competition, does this car have what it takes to compete with mid-performance offerings from Germany? Well, it’s a tough call, and there’s a lot to take into consideration, so as we dive into our experience with the Charger Scat Pack Widebody, we’re going to explore just how it stacks up against its closest German competitors, the BMW M340i and the Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan.
Odd Car for Sale: 2013 Dodge Challenger Custom "Daytona" Coupe
Produced for a short time in 1969, the Dodge Charger Daytona was a radical, aerodynamic version of the iconic muscle car developed specifically for NASCAR racing. Because competition rules required a run of road-legal cars to be produced for homologation, the Charger Daytona made it on public roads to become one of the most valuable cars of the golden muscle car era. The Daytona made five comebacks to the market, the most recent one in 2020, but none of the modern renditions were as radical as the original car. But someone decided to fix that by creating an aerodynamic Daytona model using the Dodge Challenger as a base. And you can buy it online via Barrett-Jackson.
Which Is Quicker? A Chevy C8 Corvette or a Dodge Charger Hellcat?
They say power is nothing without control and what better field to test that out than the performance car arena? As you’re about to see in this C8 Corvette versus Charger Hellcat skirmish, packing a bucketload of horsepower doesn’t stand a chance in front of less power complemented by less weight, better grip, and sharper aerodynamics.
Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T Is Now a Lego Technic Set
Here’s another reason for Fast and Furious fans to jump for joy. The franchise teamed up with Lego to build Dom Toretto’s Charger and the end result is just as smashing as the Fast and Furious muscle car. Plus, given the whole coronavirus isolation thing going on globally, getting the set will offer a massive boost for any gearhead’s morale these days.
The New Batmobile Is the Lovechild of a DeTomaso Mangusta and a ’69 Dodge Charger
We’ve got to hand it to you, Robert Pattinson aka the new Batman just got handed a sweet-ass ride. The car itself is a huge step from the puny Volvo C30 he used to drive as Edward in Twilight, but that aside, we are intrigued as to what sort of base was used to create it.
2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody – Driven
These days, the “Hellcat” name is synonymous with power, and that holds true with the Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody. Much like the standard Hellcat, this Charger sits in a very small bubble that includes cars like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Chevy Corvette Stingray, and even the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. It’s the unique, four-door configuration that really made the Charger Hellcat stand out, and the widebody model takes that to the next level. Make no mistake, the Widebody charger isn’t just an aesthetic package, and we got to experience just what it has to offer. This is what our week-long experience with 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody was like.
Dodge Is Changing the Challenger and Charger Splitter Guards From Yellow to Pink
You could argue that the success behind Dodge’s current-generation Challenger (but also Charger) has a lot to do with the bulky, squarish muscle shape that you simply can’t go wrong with. There are owners, however, who thought the Challenger and the Charger needed a little design spicing… with splitter guards.
More precisely, a lot of owners choose not to remove those protective bits of plastic found on the cars’ splitters during delivery. And the fact that they’re painted in bright yellow makes them quite visible and in-your-face, standing out quite obnoxiously. We guess some people crave that sort of attention.
If This Hint Is Real, The Dodge Charger and Challenger Will Live to Be 15 Years Old
Let’s not hide from the fact that both the outgoing Dodge Challenger and the Charger are old-boned cars by now. Sure, they’ve managed to carve a path of their own, and let’s also remember that the Charger is the best selling full-size sedan in the States, while the Challenger just snatched the sales crown from the Mustang and the Camaro. However, a possible Easter egg might suggest that they might be getting a new generation in 2023.
The early 60s all the way up to the 70s was a golden age for the American automotive industry if only for the simple fact that muscle cars were growing not just in number, but in overall stature. The muscle car arms race of the that time yielded plenty of options for customers looking for more power and metal-twisting torque from these vehicles. And the models only grew in popularity as more and more people began clamoring for the biggest, baddest, and most powerful machines.
The general appeal these muscle cars offered to the growing American car culture of the time was the opportunity to own powerful cars that could be used for drag racing while also keeping costs at bay. At that time, a number of brands began developing their own models, including legendary names like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Plymouth Barracuda, the Pontiac Trans-Am, and the Dodge Charger, to name a few.
While the golden age of American muscle was limited to parts of these two decades, the industry has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in recent years. It’s not going to compare to the 60s or the 70s, but as proven by customer clamoring, the culture of American muscle cars is far from bearing its last legs.
To pay tribute to the time where muscle was king of the road - and the drag strip - we have compiled a list of the 10 most memorable muscle cars of the golden age.
Vin Diesel Gives Us a Sneak Peak at the Dodge Charger from Fast 9
Fast & Furious 9 is hitting theaters on May 20, 2020. That’s literally eight months from today. At this point, the production of the movie is in full swing — it’s now in its 13th week — and, according to a video posted by Vin Diesel on his Instagram account, it appears that we should brace ourselves for a #202020 hashtag at some point in the movie’s publicity tour.
After all, the franchise will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, so the hashtag pretty much writes itself. Notwithstanding that little nugget, the Instagram video also revealed one of the most important stars of Fast 9. It’s not Vin Diesel or Michelle Rodriguez. It’s the heavily customized Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat that Diesel will be driving in the movie.
One look at the Charger in the video and you’ll know that it’s not your typical Dodge sports car. That’s one of the great things about the Fast and Furious franchise. Imaginations can run wild in all facets of the movie, and that extends to the actual cars that you’ll see in it.
Pikes Peak Dodge Will Climb to the Heavens with the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Concept
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is not just an event; it’s a festival. Sounds clichéd, but it’s true. It has been the second-longest running race in the States in terms of racing tradition, the 2019 Edition being the 97th Pikes Peak Climb. It is not just about speed here, but it’s about the physical and mental endurance a driver goes through to complete the climb. Nevertheless, it attracts a lot of attention every year and this year is no exception. Arguably, the most exciting thing about this year’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb is Dodge’s entry to the summit. If you are a Dodge fan, you might have guessed it already. The automaker is bringing its latest creation - the 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody.
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2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition
If there’s anything sexier than a Dodge Charger, it is a Dodge Charger equipped with even more fierce-looking equipment. Earlier this week, Dodge announced the 2019 Charger SRT HellcatOctane Edition that is available in two shades - Pitch Black and White Knuckle. My favorite, of course, being the darker one. The Octane Edition is purely cosmetic and does not add any extra power to the beast. But, when you have over 700 ponies under the hood, you don’t really need to tweak the car mechanically.
2020 Dodge Charger Stars & Stripes Edition
Dodge has always prided itself as a company that holds a special place in the hearts of the brave men and women who serve or have served the U.S. armed forces. This isn’t whimsical hyperbole, either. An mTab survey revealed that the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are leading buys among cars in their segments. They are go-to purchases for active-duty service personnel who want to enjoy the freedom of driving on the open road, the very same freedom that they protect while on-duty in the military. It comes as no surprise, then, that Dodge is celebrating its place in the hearts of American troops by offering a special edition appearance package, appropriately called the “Stars and Stripes Edition.” The new Stars and Stripes package will headline Dodge’s booth at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, which opens its doors next week. From there, the package will be available for ordering in May at an add-on price of $1,995.
2019 Dodge Charger
Dodge vehicles have always been known for their bold, in-your-face looks. To spice things up a little, Dodge has decided to bring back the lime green color that was seen on almost all the Dodge cars in the 1970s, and it’ll do so at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. With the 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 and the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE being in the news lately, is this a move out of desperation? Perhaps, Dodge has taken up the ’challenge’ to ’charge’ its range. Bad pun, eh?
Update 02/14/2019: We’ve updated this review with images and video of the lime green 2019 Dodge Charger taken at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. Check them out for yourself in the gallery at the bottom of this page!
One of Dodge’s Most Iconic Paint Colors is Making a Comeback at the Chicago Auto Show
Don’t expect to see a new Dodge Challenger or even a new Dodge Charger at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. But Dodge is bringing a Challenger and a Charger to the Windy City anyway; it’s just that the headline act isn’t either of the two performance cars. It’s the paint they’re wearing, which Dodge calls “Sublime.” The importance of the paint scheme shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who remember it. The Sublime finish is arguably one of the most iconic paint colors that the Challenger and Charger have worn in their respective lifetimes. 2015 was the last time Dodge offered it on the Challenger, and we haven’t seen the Charger sport it since 2007. Now it’s back, and, according to Dodge, it’s available as a factory color option across the entire range of Challenger and Charger models.
2018 Dodge Super Charger Concept
The Dodge Super Charger is a concept car that marks the 50th anniversary of the second-generation Charger, produced for the 1968 to 1970 model years. Unveiled at the 2018 SEMA Show, the Super Charger is a restomod that combines the design of the original Dodge Charger with modern parts from Mopar and the Challenger SRT Hellcat and Demon. More importantly, it showcases a new Hemi V-8 engine that cranks out an incredible 1,000 horsepower.
The big news here is that the 7.0-liter mill is a crate engine that you’ll be able to buy from FCA starting in 2019. The Super Charger was created specifically for the massive mill, which was dubbed Hellephant as a tribute to the original Mopar 426 Hemi engine, nicknamed Elephant due to its size and power. Obviously, Hellephant combined both the classic Elephant and the modern Hellcat monikers. The Hellephant is also the first 1,000-horsepower crate engine offered by an OEM carmaker.
Continue reading to learn more about the Dodge Super Charger concept.
2018 Dodge Charger Evolution
Wisconsin-based Speedkore is the same performance company that built an absurd 1,650-horsepower Dodge a few years back. It was seen in the Fast and Furious movie as well. This time around, they’ve built a more balanced, calmer version of the same Dodge Charger and moniker’d it as the ‘Evolution.’ The Evolution packs half the power of its predecessor, but has more utility. Speedkore claims that the Evolution represents “the most advanced 1970 Dodge Charger” anywhere on the globe, which may actually be true. Speedkore is known to play with carbon fiber and has used its skills on this beast as well. Despite the heavy engines and strong body, the company has built a muscle car that weighs just about 3,200 pounds - that’s anywhere between 228- and 638-pounds lighter than the original 1970 Dodge Charger!
Mopar Drops 1,000-Horsepower Crate Engine Bombshell at SEMA 2018
Following a number of teasers in the run-up to the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, the speed gurus from Mopar, FCA’s in-house performance group, pulled the sheets on a brand-new, utterly custom Dodge Charger concept car, and with it, a new crate engine that puts last year’s “Hellcrate” package to shame.
8 Best All-Wheel-Drive Sedans of 2018 Under $35,000
There are no clear favorites when choosing the best all-wheel-drive sedan under $35,000. The important thing to remember here is to know what your preferences are. The Ford Fusion SE ($23,500), for example, is regarded for having a good amount of interior space to go with one of the most spacious trunk spaces — 16 cubic feet — among all sedans in its class. It also has a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. If you’re not particularly into cavernous trunk spaces and instead prefer sedans that are known for their power and handling, the two Subarus could be in your future. The WRX ($26,995) has the most powerful base engine — a turbo-four unit that produces 268 horsepower — of its class, and while its fuel economy ratings aren’t anything to write about — 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway — it’s still regarded as one of the most dynamic cars in its class to drive.
The Subaru Legacy ($22,195), on the other hand, doesn’t have as powerful of an engine as the WRX. It’s 175-horsepower, four-cylinder unit is uninspiring compared to the WRX, but that’s likely a product of the Legacy sitting below its fellow Subie on the automaker’s totem pole. Still, the Legacy has a pretty spacious interior and returns one of the best fuel economy ratings among all models in its segment at 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Then there’s the Kia Stinger ($31,900), a car many people consider as one of the future stars of its segment. Maybe it’s a byproduct of the Stinger being a new model that still gives it a fresh odor among buyers, but a big part of the Stinger’s appeal rests on its all-around quality. This model really is a star-in-the-making. Even with just the base version, you’re already getting a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower at its disposal. Combine that with its own large cargo area — a whopping 23.3 cubic feet of space — and an engaging and athletic drive that’s pure fun for all of us, and it’s no wonder why the Stinger is one of the most sought-after all-wheel-drive models in the market today. All that despite the sedan only returning an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Four models in and the choices are about to get more difficult once you bring in Germany’s finest into the fold. The Audi A3 Premium and the Mercedes CLA 250 4Matic may be visitors from the Old Continent, but you’re going to quickly realize how at-home they make you feel once you get either one of them. The A3 Premium ($31,950) is one of the cheapest compact luxury cars on the market. In fact, the difference in price between the Stinger and the A3 Premium is a measly $50. As promising as the Stinger is, there’s a big population of people who will prefer an established model over an upstart. The A3 Premium is the base unit of the family, but it doesn’t feel like one, thanks in large part to having its fair share of luxury amenities. From leather upholstery to a panoramic sunroof to a 10-speaker audio system, they’re all there as standard equipment. About the only downside of the Audi sedan is that the Quattro all-wheel-drive system doesn’t come standard across the whole lineup. You’ll need to upgrade to the Quattro to have the most fun in the sedan. Doing so comes at the expense of a lower fuel economy rating — 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway — but that’s ultimately a small price to pay for all the fun you’re going to have driving it.
If the A3 isn’t your cup of tea, the Mercedes CLA 250 4Matic ($32,700 plus $2,000 to get the 4Matic AWD system) is a solid, albeit slightly more expensive option. Nobody needs to remind you what kind of model you have when you’re driving a Mercedes. The CLA 250 4Matic is teeming with luxury like only Mercedes can provide. It doesn’t have the same power figures as the A3 Premium — a four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces only 208 horsepower — but it does get some of its appeal back by how engaging it is to drive and by having one of the highest fuel economy ratings — 24 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway — of any sedan in its class. The last two sedans we’ll mention are both American bred, but like all the models we’ve mentioned, these two are special for entirely different reasons. The Chrysler 300 Touring ($28,995 plus $2,500 for an AWD version), for example, packs a punch with its 292-horsepower V-6 engine. It’s also one of the bigger sedans in its class, and that size comes into play in the spacious interior. Its fuel economy rating is average — 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway — but if you look past that, you’ll come to realize that the 300, despite all the negativity surrounding it, is a pretty fun ride, as well. Unfortunately for the 300, it’s still not as fun to drive as the Dodge Charger ($28,995). The meaty sports sedan packs a similar V-6 unit with an identical 292-horsepower output as the 300 Touring, but make no mistake; the Charger is a completely different animal when it comes to driving dynamics. Some people may not like it because it’s a little too wild for their capabilities, but those who have seen the Charger in action can vouch for what it’s capable of. Ultimately, choosing one sedan among these intriguing options is an exercise in futility. But if I were to choose one, my money’s going to the Kia Stinger. It isn’t as established as some of the other models here, but when you combine everything it has to offer with its starting price, there’s no better value for money than Kia’s new performance-oriented sedan.
Watch the Original 1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt and the Dodge Challenger Battle up Goodwood Hill in the Coolest Movie Car Chase Ever Recreated
You don’t often see cars recreate movie scenes at an event like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but the event is proving to have something for everyone. The 25th edition of the festival kicked off with a bang yesterday, and one of the most surprising sights was seeing a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum share the track in what can only be described as a loose interpretation of the iconic car chase scene in the move Bullitt.
Ok, so there’s probably a reason why the 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum didn’t go balls-to-the-wall at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Those cars aren’t replicas, but the actual vehicles that were used in the film that, coincidentally, is celebrating its 50th anniversary just as the event is celebrating its 25th.
There’s an incredible amount of provenance attached to both models, and that’s especially true for the Mustang GT Fastback because it’s the exact same one that was driven by Steve McQueen himself and was inducted quite recently by the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) into the National Historic Vehicle Register.
It’s no wonder then that both drivers were taking it easy trying to recreate a car chase scene that does look a lot more exciting than the one we saw at Goodwood. Then again, it’s not often that you’re graced by the presence of what is arguably the most famous movie car of all time. That counts for something, too.
It’s Not a New Generation, but the Dodge Charger Gets Some Decent Updates for 2019
The Dodge Charger, which has seriously soldiered on since 2011 with minor changes, is getting some more minor updates for 2018 as Dodge hopes to maintain its relevancy on the market. As of the time of this writing, the Dodge Charger is creeping up on eight years old and probably won’t see its much-needed generational shift until at least 2020. With that in mind, it should also be noted that Dodge is downsizing the Charger lineup, which will now be offered in just six trim levels. The revised offering of trim levels and minor updates should at least help the old-geezer of a car carry on, so let’s take a good look at the new trim levels and what each trim level gets.
5 Iconic Names That Are Coming Back in All the Wrong Ways
To some people, a car’s name is nothing more than that: a name. They have no value other than identifying one model from another model. But for others, a car’s name is it’s value. We identify them beyond what others do. For us, they’re more than just names; they’re identities that have helped shape our love for them and this whole industry.
Unfortunately, not all of the best car names live on in perpetuity. Some get retired — R.I.P., Dodge Viper — while others are shelved for an indefinite period of time before they’re brought back, sometimes in a different guise. The latter has happened quite a lot in recent years, and while there have been some expected hits to come out of this name recycling exercise — the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4are poster children of this — there are those that are probably best left in the shelves.
Like the Dodge Challenger, the Dodge Charger Will Also Get a Facelift for 2019
The Charger isn’t exactly as old as the senior-citizen Challenger (now 10 years old) but it has been on the market since 2011, making it due for a generational shift. We’ll have to wait a little longer for that, but to help keep the mob at bay, Dodge is ushering in a much-needed facelift for 2019. Little is known at this point but as you can see from the teaser image, it’s slated to get a new face. High performance models like the SRT Hellcat, for example, will get an all-new grille and will even get that integrated intake. The grille is slimmed down considerably compared to the 2018 model and it looks like the front fascia may actually be a bit sportier.
Outside of what we can see in this photo, however, there’s little more to be said without going into excessive speculation. We don’t even know if the Charger will get that same aggressive hood scoop from the Challenger update. We do know that a full design is underway for both the Challenger and Charger, however. And, to make things even better, the wait is due to a major platform shift that will have the Challenger and Charger brothers riding on the same platform as the Maserati Ghibli.
That could be big news for these two reborn but aging muscle cars. Stick around for updates about the 2019 facelift and be sure to check out our full review of each model at the links below!
Dodge Goes Plum Crazy with Customization Options For The Challenger and Charger
The Dodge Challenger and Charger are two cars that don’t lack in personality. But in times when the names aren’t enough to get your juices flowing, Dodge is adding a cosmetic package that should get your juices flowing. It’s called the Shakedown Package, and it includes plenty of exterior and interior upgrades, all of which were added to make the Challenger and Charger models stand out even more than they already do.
Florida Highway Patrol Officer Caught Racing (and losing to) a Lamborghini Aventador on the Highway!
A state trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol is in hot water after being caught — on film — racing a Lamborghini Aventador on a public highway. In the footage, the state trooper can be seen driving a Dodge Charger Pursuit and lining up side by side with the Aventador before both cars engage in a drag race in the middle of the day.
Seven Modern Cars With A Retro Twist
The evolution in car design is one of the biggest identifiers into how far the auto industry has come in the last 50 years. Classic designs from years-gone-by have given way to modern designs that sit on the shoulders of cutting-edge technology. There’s no going around how things have changed in the industry, but what if there was a way to mesh the classic designs of yesteryear with today’s design language? Would the results be something you’d be interested in? Would you cringe and run away from them as fast as possible?
Fortunately, we won’t have to imagine what those cars would look like. Marketing agency NeoMam Studios prepared a few renderings of these cars, which we’re going to show below. There are seven renderings in total, with each car getting an injection of old-school design touches. Not everything worked out as well I’d hope, but you might have different reactions altogether. Let us know in the comments section below how you feel about the renderings.
GA Police Officer Hits 140 mph Chasing McLaren 720S in High-Speed Chase
A Georgia Police Officer got the chance to push her police-spec Dodge Charger to the limit this past weekend when a man in a McLaren 720S casually passed her doing north of 100 mph on a public highway. It didn’t take long for the officer to hit the blues and take chase. Nobody was injured in the chase that lasted just a couple of minutes, but the driver – a Dwayne Sherwood Pope – was charged with speeding, DUI less safe, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and – get this – driving with an expired tag.
All told, the dash cam video lasts nearly a half hour, but for the most part, the action is over with within a few minutes. The Dodge Charger which, in police-spec, has a top speed rating of 155 mph when powered by the 5.7-liter, HEMI, V-8. There’s no word as to what engine this officer put her foot into, but it did keep up with that McLaren 720S quite well. We’re still not sure why he stopped, considering the 720 S is rated up to 212 mph, it could have quite easily gotten away. Something tells us that the man was telling the truth about pulling over when he noticed the lights – after all if he did intend to run, that cop car really didn’t stand a chance.
Fortunately, for him, and anyone else on the road, that wasn’t his intention otherwise things could have been a lot worse than a DUI charge, had he really pushed it to the limit. After all, he did have “three drinks.” Check out the video below and let us know what you think.
Click Mechanic Renders 7 Utterly Bizarre Car Mashups
Halloween may have come and gone, but it’s never too late to explore the weird, the bizarre, and the downright frightening things that go bump in the night. If you’ve got the nerve, then we challenge you to look through these utterly profane vehicle renderings, courtesy of the good folks from Click Mechanic. Truth be told, no one is safe from the following strange creations – hybrids, muscle cars, imports, supercars, trucks, and even tractors get tossed into the blender with these seven unholy car mashups.
Call it madness, call it lunacy, call it outlandish… truth be told, we simply can’t look away! Hell, we’d actually argue that some of these creations are a bit, well, awesome (no, seriously). Either way, this is what happens when you give rendering artists free reign to mix and match from across the automotive spectrum. Naturally, we wanna know – which is these shocking mashups stands out the most to you? Let us know in the comments!
Continue reading to see 7 Utterly Bizarre Car Mashups.
Bargain Buys: Performance Cars That You Can Score For Less Than $50,000
Times like this, picking a sports car can get a little tricky, especially when money is no object. The range of options cuts across different segments and if you really want to make an impression, the cost of getting one could run up in the seven figures. But for those who don’t have the proverbial “unli-funds” at their disposal, buying a sports car becomes a little bit more difficult. For one, a large number of options are pulled off of the table because of their costs. Then there’s the prospect of availability.
But there is some good news. Just because money’s tight, doesn’t mean that the market becomes slim pickings. Far from it actually. Just lower those expectations, and you might find themselves having more than enough options to consider. And, since we’re in the business of helping others out, we’ve put up a list of some sweet performance rides that buyers can score for less than $50,000. I’m purposefully leaving out performance hatchbacks out of this list because they’re an entirely different category of their own. So we’re going with coupes and sedans, some of which can go as cheap as $20,000 while others can max out at or near the $50,000. The point is that they’re affordable and can put buyers one step closer to finally scoring that long-awaited performance car purchase.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
Watch This Ford Crown Vic Transform Into A 1969 Dodge Charger
The ole Duke Boys put their 1969 Dodge Charger, affectionately named the General Lee, through countless jumps over the TV Series’ six-year run. No matter how rough the landing, the boys never seemed to skip a beat, despite their car supposedly being held together with duct tape and bailing twine. Sadly, each of those jumps cost a real-life Dodge Charger its life. These days finding one is getting harder, and those that are still around have seen their price skyrocket. So, it comes to no surprise that “The Dukes of Hazzard” superfan James Smith chose to build its own General Lee from an old cop car.
Yep, Smith started with a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with relatively low miles despite it being nearly 20 years old and having served time with the Portland Police Department. Every body panel came off, including the roof and trunk supports. With a bare chassis, aftermarket Charger parts started going on. Impressively, the A-pillars are actually part of the roll cage. Smith even hand-built the Charger’s iconic split grille from leftover aluminum and the plastic grate from a household box fan. In fact, the front fenders, trunk lid, and fuel filler cap are the only authentic Dodge parts. Naturally, that means this car is expendable. Wreck it (or in this case, jump it), and the only loss is a worn out Crown Vic, the cost of aftermarket parts, and sweat equity.
Smith has gotten his money and time out of it though. The car was used for a music video before being painted in General Lee livery before its big jump. Best of all, the car survived its two scheduled jumps and will likely live on so jump again.
FCA Pushes Redesign Of Charger And Challenger At Least Until 2020
For those who are pining to see redesigned versions of the existing Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, you might have to exercise a bit more patience because Fiat Chrysler is reportedly icing the redesigned versions for both performance cars for at least three more years.
According to Automotive News, FCA is expected to take the more conservative approach on the Challenger, Charger, and the Chrysler 300 but simply giving each model updates until at least 2020. No reason was given on why FCA appears to be leading towards this decision, but it seems to be tied into the long-term plans the automaker has for its new Giorgio platform, which underpins the soon-to-be-launched Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Apparently, FCA has high hopes for this platform with no less than FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne saying that he was “encouraged by the versatility of the architecture” during the company’s third-quarter conference call with analysts late last month. Even though the Giorgio platform will likely have to be stretched and widened to accommodate the dimensions of the next-generation models of the Charger and Challenger, the platform’s reported flexibility and overall rigidity would be able to accommodate both models, and quite possibly, a convertible model.
That said, FCA is not looking to rush into the development of the two performance cars, presumably to give the Alfa Romeo Giulia enough time to shine on its own as it prepares to enter the U.S. market later this year. In any event, start getting used to seeing the current-generation Challenger and Charger models for the time being. They’ll be getting updates, but nothing more than that until 2020.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat by Geiger Cars
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. To think that a car that already has 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque on tap can still get a tuning program is truly a remarkable thing. It’s as if there are tuners out there who look at what the Charger Hellcat is capable of and still say “not good enough.” Well, that’s exactly the case with Geiger Cars, the Munich-based tuner of U.S. performance cars who just so happens to have a new tuning kit for the Charger SRT Hellcat that pumps out a total of 782 horsepower and 681 pound-feet of torque.
The numbers aren’t made up. Sure, it doesn’t reach the level of Hennessey’s just-as-insane HPE800 program, but a Charger that packs as much heat as Geiger gave it is still beyond reasonable comprehension. At the very least, a Geiger-tuned Charger SRT Hellcat has the power and performance capabilities to put some supercars in their place.
Outside of the increased power, Geiger’s program also includes a surprising body paint, a new set of wheels, and suspension upgrades that should keep the Charger SRT Hellcat in its place even as its rampaging down the road. It might be harder to do that now with all that power, but when you have a muscle car that’s all about those horses, it’s difficult to deny it from doing what it does best, especially when it has the backing of a tuner as experienced as Geiger Cars.
Continue after the jump to read the full review.
Dodge Debuts Heritage-inspired 2017 Color Palette
When it comes to paint jobs, most modern cars are offered with rather dull color options. This isn’t the automakers’ fault though, it’s mostly because hues such white, gray, silver, and black have become increasingly popular in recent decades. But this wasn’t the case in the 1960s and 1970s, when American drivers favored livelier colors and carmakers responded with flashy hues - especially for high-performance vehicles. These were known as the "High-Impact" colors. Ford, GM, and Chrysler have revived several classic paints for their respective muscle cars recently, and Dodge has just introduced a range of new color names inspired from its colorful heritage for the 2017 model year.
Although most colors aren’t new, their names revive the brand’s bold paint naming strategy, which should play well with sentimental enthusiasts. Starting 2017, buyers will be able to order hues such as White Knuckle, Maximum Steel, Bomber Brown, Octane Red, White Noise, Blood Orange, Green Go, Destroyer Gray, Go Mango, Contusion Blue, or Bruiser Gray. Granted, some of them sound rather cheesy, but words such as "knuckle," "bomber," "destroyer," "noise," and "bruiser" are definitely bolder options to simply naming the color and adding "metallic" or "pearl" next to it.
On the other hand, other color names aren’t as punchy, while some remained unchanged from previous years. If you’re not a fan of in-your-face names, you can pick one of the following: Redline 2K, Blu By You, Stout Brown, Redline 3K, Vice White, Yellow Jacket, Granite, TorRed, Olive Green, Billet, Black Onyx, DB Black, or Pitch Black.
All of the above will be available not only for Dodge’s hottest cars, the Challenger, Charger, and Viper, but also for family vehicles such as the Durango, Journey, and the Grand Caravan.
Continue reading for the full story.
Dodge was planning some pretty big changes by the end of the decade. Things like building the Challenger and Charger on FCA’s new Giorgio platform, and underpinning the Journey with the same platform as the Chrysler 200 were all on the table. However, these have been pushed forward for now as Dodge rethinks its long-term strategy. Of course, not everything has changed. The Dart will be discontinued later this month, with no successor in sight, and Dodge is still unwilling to accommodate the Viper with the necessary safety features (side curtain airbags), so it’s still on the chopping block as well.
Now that the plans for the Journey to share the Chrysler 200s platform have trashed, Automotive News claims that it will be produced with its current DNA until 2018. The Journey isn’t going anywhere, except for Italy, where it will be built when it is switched over to the Giorgio platform. And then there is the Charger and the Challenger. As far as the Charger goes it was going to be redesigned for the Giorgio platform, but that has been delayed until at least 2018. On the positive side of things, however, it’s said that the next-gen model will drop more than 400 pounds.
Arguably, the most important news is that Dodge is going to introduce a V-6 Challenger with all-wheel drive. The model will be called the Challenger GT AWD and will ultimately be followed by a wide-bodied, Hellcat-powered Challenger for 2017. When Dodge switches the Challenger over to the Giorgio platform, it is expected to drop at least 500 pounds – now that will be a nice drop in weight.
Keep reading for the rest of the story
2017 Dodge Charger Daytona
The second-generation of the modern Dodge Charger arrived in 2010, five years after Chrysler had revived the iconic nameplate as a four-door sedan. Although presented as a redesign, the new model uses not only the same platform, but also many styling features. More important changes were made under the hood, where brand-new 3.6-liter V-6 and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engines joined the updated 5.7-liter V-8. In 2015, the sedan received an extensive facelift that brought the first major changes inside and out. The update was soon followed by the SRT Hellcat, a supercharged, 707-horsepower model that’s the quickest, most-powerful factory-built muscle car ever built as of August 2016.
The second-generation model also spawned many models that pay tribute to the classic, two-door charger, including the Scat Pack. The most recent of them is the Daytona, launched for the 2017 model year. Named after the highly-modified coupe that was created in 1969 as a homologation special for NASCAR, the 2017 Charger Daytona marks the nameplate’s return after a four-year hiatus. Revived for the first time in 2006 and produced until 2009, the Daytona returned for the 2013 model year. Now, it’s being offered for the very first time on the updated second-generation model.
As usual, it comes with a sportier exterior appearance, several unique interior features, and a drivetrain that includes Mopar-modified components. Although not as impressive as the original car that set numerous records on NASCAR race tracks, the new Charger Daytona is indeed a special performance car, especially if you’re looking for something with four doors, seating for five people, and a big trunk.
Update 08-24-2016: We made a new video to cover the highlights of the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona. Click play to enjoy it for yourself!
Continue reading to learn more about the Dodge Charger Daytona.
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Fast 8 Shows Off "Ice Cars" For Iceland Location
Since it was announced that Fast 8 would have segments of the movie filmed in Iceland, a lot of people have wondered if the production team would have a specific set of cars for Dominic Toretto and his motley crew. It took a few months, but now we have an answer. The menu of cars that will apparently be used includes a highly modified Dodge ‘Ice’ Charger that looks to have had better days judging by the production photos and a suspension-juiced Rally Fighter that appears to have been set up to tackle the icy conditions.
Suffice to say, the roster of cars is as varied as anything we’ve seen from the Fast & Furious franchise. Obviously, Toretto (Vin Diesel) will be behind the wheel of the Ice Charger, as is with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in the Rally Fighter. Other than those two cars, the vehicle lineup also includes a pair of military vehicles – the Ice Ram and the Ripsaw – and an out-of-its element Lamborghini Murcielago that will be driven by the team’s automotive Liberace, Roman Pierce (Tyrese Gibson).
It certainly not surprising that one of the military vehicles will be driven by Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) given his penchant for going for the biggest and most badass ride he can get his hands on. And as far as Tej (Ludacris) is concerned, he’s going to control the Ripsaw, a developmental unmanned light tank. Considering that, don’t be surprised if Tej, being the tech guy of the group, finds a way to control the Ripshaw from a safe distance.
The lineup of cars is definitely eclectic, though that sounds like a conservative observation. Then again, it’s not like the franchise hasn’t set a precedent for going a tad overboard with the cars that have been used in the past seven movies. After all, this is the same franchise that thought it was physically believable to launch a Lykan Hypersport from one building to another…and another.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
Next-Generation Dodge Charger To Get Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine
The current-generation Dodge Charger is old, and by old, I really mean old. It’s been around since 2005 and while Dodge has managed to keep the fire simmering with new variants and special edition models, there are reports that Fiat Chrysler will keep the model going until after 2019. That’s an incredibly long time for one generation of a car, let alone a car with the status of the Charger. But don’t feel too bad Charger fans because once the next-generation model arrives, it’s going to be a very different car after reports came out that the model will lose close to 500 pounds in weight and could come with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
According to Automotive News, engineers and designers from FCA are working on making the new car lighter than the current model, which tips the scales at 3,960 pounds as its curb weight. The automaker plans to have the new model down to about 3,500 pounds, a weight that could come in handy when it’s combined with the same 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder that’s currently being developed for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. There are also plans to switch the Charger from its existing platform to an extended version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s “Giorgio” platform, giving engineers and designers a more modern platform for the new model.
While this is all exciting news, don’t expect the model to burst into the scene for at least another five years. The 2019 facelift for the LX-generation model could last for another year or two so the early expectations for the new model would be around 2022 or 2023. It’s still a long way from today and with the evolving state of the auto industry, there’s no telling if today’s plans will be put to action when it’s finally time for the next-generation Charger to be built.
Still, FCA seems to be confident of its plans for the muscle car. It even showed an early styling buck of the next-gen model during a private show for dealers back in August 2015. The design was even compared to the 1999 Charger concept that was penned by former Chrysler design guru Tom Gale.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
The wait is over for the all-new 2015 Dodge Charger, though with a quick glance at the photos, it seems ‘all-new’ is a bit of a stretch. But while everything but the front grille may look carried over, nearly every body panel has been updated. The subtle changes continue inside with a reworked dashboard, a more techno-laden gauge cluster, a new center stack, and a sweet T-handle gear selector. Things under the hood are still familiar, too. The base 3.6-liter, Pentastar V-6 returns, as does the venerable 5.7-liter, HEMI V-8. The transmission options have changed, however. The eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic is now standard across the board, helping the Pentastar V-6 achieve 31 mpg on the highway while assisting the 5.7-liter HEMI sprint to 60 mph in roughly five seconds.
The interior sees a host of electronic upgrades and new technologies within Chrysler’s latest version of Uconnect. Voice texting, updated 3D navigation, WiFi hotspot capabilities, and the all-new Dodge Performance pages all find a home within the 8.4-inch touch screen. That latter item holds a plethora of performance options and customizable settings including launch control and its rpm settings, performance timers, extra gauges, and even a g-force meter.
Matching the updated and more upmarket interior is the Charger’s reworked outer skin. The most noticeable changes lie up front with its more Dodge Dart-like appearance. Around to the sides are scalloped doors still flowing into the large rear haunches and then to a detail-rich rear fascia. A new crop of wheels completes the 2015 transformation.
Updated 10/20/2014: Dodge announced prices for the entire 2015 Charger lineup which will go on sale at a starting price of $27,995 for the base SE version and goes up to $47,385 for the top SRT 392 version.
Click past the jump for the complete run-down on the 2015 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger got its start in 1966 and was a two-door, fastback coupe that offered room for four. Generations came and went quickly in those days, and for 1968, the second generation Charger debuted. The third generation came along in 1971 and lasted till the 1974 model year. Sadly for 1975, the Charger morphed from an American muscle car to your granddad’s “personal luxury car.” The fourth generation Charger lasted through 1978 and was eventually discontinued.
The Charger name was resurrected again for the 1981 model year, as a Fox-body Ford Mustang look-alike. However, this subcompact hatchback coupe hardly measured up to the Ford. Its FWD configuration and mostly forgettable powertrains didn’t resonate with buyers. There was a turbocharged, 2.2-liter four-cylinder available in a Shelby Edition, which many would argue isn’t worthy of Carroll’s last name. Chrysler killed the car after the 1987 model year.
Fast-forward two decades, and Chrysler’s partnership with Daimler has brought forth a four-door sedan with a longitudinal powertrain configuration and room enough for a V-8. The sixth-generation Charger debuted for the 2006 model year and broke the two-door coupe mold set forth by previous Chargers. Nevertheless, the sixth generation is by far the most successful in terms of sales and longevity.
Chrysler’s partnership with Daimler afforded the automaker access to parts and engineering from Mercedes, and after raiding the parts bens, the Charger sprang forth. The front control arms were borrowed from the W220 S-Class sedan while the five-link rear suspension, firewall, and floor plan came from the W211 E-Class. Chrysler called it the LX platform.
Of course, Chrysler, the parent company of Dodge, badge-engineered itself the Chrysler 300 sedan, which shared nearly every part with the Charger, along with the LX underpinnings. Nevertheless, we’re here about the Charger, so let’s dive into the details.
Continue reading for the full review
The Smoking Tire Gets Acquainted With The Dodge Charger Scat Pack: Video
The arrival of the Dodge Charger Hellcat has mostly relegated the Charger Scat Pack into the background. Right or wrong, that’s the price the model has to pay when one of its siblings bears the fiery “Hellcat” name. But as the Hellcat continues to claim the headlines and the glory, the Scat Pack has proven to be just as capable, relative to someone’s expectations.
The Smoking Tires’ Matt Farah recently spent time with a Charger Scat Pack to give it an extensive drive-through and as you can expect from someone who’s driven his share of American muscle cars, Farah had a lot of interesting things to say about the Charger Scat Pack, some of which prospective buyers of the car should take note of.
The video is as informative as it’s going to get, especially if there are those out there who are torn between the Charger Scat Pack and the Hellcat. In a nutshell, the Charger Hellcat is the Hellcat for a reason. It’s the most powerful variant of the Charger but that kind of performance comes at a premium cost. On the flip side, the Charger Scat Pack isn’t as powerful, but it is much cheaper. The performance can be compensated, especially for those who use it as their daily drivers. But the price? Well, for a lot of people, that’s usually the trump card that decides any debate. And in this case, as Farah points out, that’s the difference between getting the Charger Scat Pack and the Hellcat.
Dodge Adds "Go Mango" Heritage Color to Charger, Challenger Models
When it revised the Charger and Challenger in 2014, Dodge reintroduced modernized versions of its iconic, high-impact B5 Blue and Sublime Green exterior colors. The high-impact palette was again updated in 2015 to include the popular Plum Crazy, but the flashy hue was only available between September and December. In 2016, Dodge is reviving another one of its heritage colors, this time around the even more flamboyant Go Mango.
First shown at the annual Sprint Festival in Irvine, California, Go Mango will be limited to the high-end version of the Charger sedan and Challenger coupe. Specifically, customers will be able to check the color on the options list only for the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat variants of the said cars. Dodge didn’t say how long Go Mango will be offered, but it will probably be limited to 2016-model-year vehicles. Go Mango-painted Chargers and Challengers can be ordered starting March 2016.
This high-impact color was first introduced on the 1970 Dodge Challenger, but it was also available as Vitamin C on Plymouth models. Go Mango returned in 2006 on a limited production run on Charger R/T Daytona models and was also featured on the 2016 Dodge Dart.
“Powerful performance cars like our Dodge Charger and Challenger demand high-impact colors,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands at FCA. “Dodge muscle cars have a long history of unique paint colors with iconic names, and we’ll continue to reach back into our paint code archive to give our enthusiast customers what they want.”
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1970 Dodge Charger Tantrum Gets Jay Leno’s Attention: Video
I’ve seen a lot of cars make appearances in Jay Leno’s Garage. I’ve seen a restored 1942 Dodge Power Wagon, a 1990 Lamborghini LM002, a 1974 Datson Sunny 1200 UTE, and a 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus. As unique as all those cars are, I don’t think they’re as unique as the latest piece of machinery found in Jay Leno’s garage.
This is a 1970 Dodge Charger Tantrum and it’s mental beyond reproach. To be clear, there’s no such thing as a Charger Tantrum model. That “Tantrum” comes by way of SpeedKore Performance, a Wisconsin-based aftermarket company that built this 1970 Charger up to such insane levels it earned the nickname “Tantrum.”
It still looks like a 1970 Charger, but SpeedKore Performance designer Sean Smith admitted that there were a few functional changes made to make it look the way it does. For instance, there’s a generous amount of carbon fiber in the body of the car, including the hood, front bumper, and fenders. The interior also gets a generous amount of the lightweight material. Speaking of the cabin, a nice hat tip is in order for that pistol-grip shifter. That’s a swell way to keep the spirit of the Charger alive.
The powertrain is where the real magic lies. According to engine builder Dave Salvaggio, the Tantrum doesn’t have a Chrysler engine, which begs the question, “well, what does it have under that lightweight carbon fiber hood?”
If you want to know the answer, you’re going to have to watch the episode. Here’s a hint: ever heard of Mercury Marine?
Dodge would like you to remember, as you look through the countless aftermarket examples of its cars that will turn up to SEMA, that there are also quite a few Mopar options for customizing your Charger. Even though an argument could be made that optioning your Charger with Mopar accessories doesn’t really make it aftermarket, this kind of thing is always common at SEMA, and from more manufacturers than just Dodge. There are a number of Mopar cars at this year’s show, and for the Charger, the in-house tuner has a concept called the Dodge Charger Deep Stage 3.
The car is tame by SEMA standards, but is a realistic approximation of what most people who wish to tune their Charger will probably be looking to do. Most of the modifications are existing products that are available right now from Mopar, but not quite everything. Hopefully this is one of those situations where Mopar is using the concept as a way of gauging the public’s reaction to the car, and future offerings will be based on that reaction. But, even if that isn’t the purpose, and Mopar just wants to remind everyone that you can buy go-fast parts right from the dealership, it’s still a good looking car.
Click past the jump to read more about the Dodge Charger Deep Stage 3.
When Ford decided to finally lay to rest the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, a huge void was left in the lucrative police vehicle market. In the resulting scramble to provide cruisers to fill that void, Dodge ended up with a much bigger share of this market than it had had in some time, with the 2014 Dodge Charger Pursuit. Dodge knows that it will have to keep updating the car if it wants to keep its contracts. The 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit is better than ever.
Keen students of the automotive industry will notice that there isn’t a new generation of the Charger for 2016, so the car isn’t entirely new for the model year. Indeed, the updates for 2016 primarily focus on the redesigned Uconnect system. This is really a big thing, but we’ll get into that in a bit. It is worth a look at the car in general though, even the parts that aren’t new, if for no other reason than to see just how different and utilitarian the police version of the car is. The differences between it and the civilian model are striking.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit.