The Dodge Challenger has come into the world in three completely different generations. The first generation Challenger was a pony car produced from 1970-1974 and the second generation ranged from 1978-1983 and was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, current generation came about in 2008 and was produced to compete against the Mustang and the Camaro, two muscle cars that had outlived the pony car era.
The current generation Challenger is built on the Charger/Chrysler 300C platform and features rear-wheel drive and an independent rear suspension. It is powered by a choice of three engines: a 3.5L V6 that produces 250HP and 250 lb-ft of torque, a 5.7L V8 delivering 372HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, and the top-of-the-line 6.1L V8 producing 425HP and 420 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual pr 5-speed automatic transmission.
Fresh off of his practice run with his new Dodge Challenger drift car at Adam’s Motorsports Park in Riverside, California, Sam Hubinette brought the car and showed it off at a more fan-friendly setting: Hollywood.
As part of the festivities of the IZOD Indy Car Series’ "Race To The Party" event, Hubinette was on-hand for a special drifting demonstration of his Challenger drift car in front of a packed audience on Hollywood Boulevard just outside of the Kodak Theatre.
We already know how sick a drifter like Hubinette can be, but it certainly didn’t hurt showing the people in attendance the art of smoking tires. He even managed to do some drift stunts for good measure, much to the delight of the crowd who probably didn’t know who he was, only that he can do some pretty nifty tricks with his Dodge Challenger.
Mopar has been doing some serious marketing in the past couple of days by first announcing the $2000 Mopar Bucks program specifically for drivers purchasing a Dodge Challenger and now this. Mopar will team up with custom car designer, Rich Evans to create a custom Dodge Challenger for the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on Nov 3-6, 2010. The customization will begin with a base 2010 Dodge Challenger and then Evans will let his creative juices flow while using Mopar parts to trick out this ride. Evans will be customizing some Mopar parts while also using aftermarket suppliers to finish his build.
"Rich Evans has crafted some of the most remarkable customized rides on the street today," said Pietro Gorlier, President & CEO, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. "This Mopar SEMA project will demonstrate to our customers what they can create with proven, quality-tested Mopar parts and accessories."
For the full story plus the press release, follow the jump.
What can you do with $2,000? Depends on what you spend it on, but one thing’s for sure, two grand isn’t enough money for you to customize your Dodge Challenger. That is, if you don’t head over to Mopar.
Chrysler’s official tuner is offering their customers $2,000 in "Mopar Bucks," which they may use to buy select performance parts, service contracts and accessories.
The package includes, among other things, a unique body-color hood with scoop, a body-color rear "Go-Wing" spoiler and strobe stripe performance graphics. For the interior Mopar included a Mopar-branded T-handle shifter, a bright pedal kit (automatic only), bright door-sill guards, premium carpet floor mats and a full-vehicle cover.
And if you’re willing to shell out a few extra bucks, you can also get a rear deck-lid spoiler (MSRP $316), decal kits (MSRP starting at $182), cat-back exhaust systems (MSRP starting at $1,190) and a classic Mopar T/A hood (MSRP $1,275).
Mopar announced today the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak built for sanctioned NHRA Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator configurations.
The tuning house has also announced that interested customers who are willing to avail of this package can order them for a princely sum of $39,999.
The car is based on the SRT8 version and is powered by a 6.1 liter HEMI engine that comes in either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. The car is painted in a retro Stone White paint scheme and Mopar engineers eliminated select production components and systems to reduce vehicle weight by approximately 1,000 lbs.
The Challenger Drag Pak also features unique drag-race components including: composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Dodge Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, a light-weight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack-and-pinion steering, a special cable-operated deck-lid release, special light-weight front-brake assemblies and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.
No wonder the Challenger Drag Pak commands such a price; it comes with just about every available feature anyone can get for their Challengers.
If you can remember Mopar’s muscle car color palette from the 1970s you should be familiar with shades like Plum Crazy Purple, Sassy Grass Green and Moulin Rouge; then the special edition 40th anniversary Furious Fuchsia Challenger will be right up your alley. Available as both an R/T and SRT8 model, the pink pearl Challenger will go on sale starting at $35,140 for an R/T model and goes all the way up to $45,150 for an SRT8.
The Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Furious Fuchsia wears a pair of Matte Black or Bright White side stripes running the length of the vehicle, just like in the olden days, however despite the name, the 20 inch polished aluminum heritage wheels wrapped in all season performance tires are straight out of the 21st century. Meanwhile the R/T has a classic egg crate style grill up front and a body color rear spoiler out back. The SRT8 version adds all new Pearl White leather SRT performance seats with Furious Fuchsia accents as well as a set of 20 inch SRT forged aluminum wheels finished in Satin Black and retro inspired chromed quad exhaust tips out back. Collectors will be most proud of the identification plaque on the dash indicating their car’s authenticity as one of 400 Furious Fuchsia Challengers.
