Back in 2011, Dodge unveiled a new package option for the Charger: the Blacktop Edition. This package included some pretty stout and downright sexy additions to the body, but it was only offered on V-6 model Chargers, leaving those wanting this look with the power to back it up out in the cold. With Dodge already expanding the Blacktop Edition package to the Challenger R/T and Avenger for the 2013 model year, it decided to also expand the package to the more powerful Charger R/T model.

While the Blacktop Edition package may look fully custom, under the hood the Charger R/T remains unchanged. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the Charger R/T remains one of the fastest American-built sedans on the market and this new package just gives it a more sinister look to go along with its stout performance.

The real test is to see if this package is really worth the premium that Dodge is attaching to it, or is this just another special edition model that has an inflated price tag with no valuable additions?

Click past the jump to read all about the 2013 Charger R/T Blacktop and see if it is up to snuff.

2013 Dodge Charger R/T Blacktop

Specifications

• Make: Array
• Model: 2013 Dodge Charger R/T Blacktop
• Engine/Motor: V8
• Horsepower: 375
• Torque: 410
• Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
• [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Pros

Cons

Exterior

You can have the 2013 Charger R/T in any of six exterior colors, including: Pitch Black, Billet Metallic, Granite Crystal, Bright White, Redline Red Tri-coat and Phantom Black Tri-coat. Like the other Blacktop packages, the Charger R/T Blacktop comes with gloss black treatment on its 20-inch aluminum wheels and center caps. It also includes a body-colored spoiler.

The Challenger R/T is far and away one of the most muscular-looking performance sedans on the market, and this Blacktop package makes it all the better.

Interior

The Charger R/T Blacktop doesn’t carry any interior options that are exclusive to its package, but it does comes pretty well loaded up. It includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, Beats audio system with 10 speakers and a 552-watt amp powering the speakers. The standard Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch LCD screen gives you a great interface to tinker with the vehicle’s setting.

For a few extra features, you can opt to add the Blacktop package to the R/T Plus trim and get Nappa leather seating, heated seats, 12-way power seats with lumbar control, heated and cooled cup holders, alarm system, LED overhead lighting and LED foot well lighting. Heated and cooled cup holders, really???

Engine and Driveline

Under the hood of the Charger R/T Blacktop is the same 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 you’d find under and Charger R/T hood. With its 370 ponies and 395 pound-feet of twist, that’s not a bad thing either. Add in the fact that Dodge’s Fuel Saver Technology and its five-speed automatic transmission gets it up to 25 mpg highway, and you have a beautiful combination. The power rips through a 3.06-to-1 rear axle, which helps get the Charger to 60 mph in the low-5-second range.

Also included is the “Sport Mode 2” system, which makes the transmission hold its gears little longer into the powerband, maximizing the Charger’s torque.

Engine and Drivetrain Specifications:

Pricing

The base price for the Charger R/T is $29,995 and the R/T Plus jumps the price to $31,995. The Blacktop package adds in $1,995, making a total MSRP of $31,990 to $33,990.

Conclusion

For just $1,995, you get all of those custom body additions and Sport Mode 2, where do we sign up. We wish that it had some handling improvements, like the Challenger R/T Blacktop, but we can’t complain.