Back in 1914, John and Horace Dodge developed America’s first mass-produced, all-steel-bodied cars and set a world record for the most first-model-year automobiles ever produced at 45,033 units. In fact, Dodge->ke28 was founded in 1900, but during its first years of existence it only served as a supplier for Detroit-based automakers.

Now the company is preparing to celebrate its centenary with the launch of two special-edition models, based on the Charger->ke218 and Challenger -- two of the most successful models in Dodge's lineup.

First of them is the new Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition based on either the SXT or R/T Plus versions. It will be put on sale in the spring of 2014 and it will add only $2,500 to the Challenger's base price.

As expected, the extra cash adds several unique visual elements inside and out, plus Sport Mode calibration, a performance-tuned suspension system and a three-spoke, flat-bottom, performance steering wheel.

Click past the jump to read more about the Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition.

2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 305 @ 6350
  • Torque: 268 @ 4800
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the new Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition, the main distinctive feature is its color scheme. Customers can choose between an exclusive High Octane Red pearl coat paint, or any other of the seven exterior paints: Pitch Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Ivory Tri-Coat, Phantom Black Tri-Coat and Header Orange.

The car rides on 20-by-8-inch, polished five-spoke aluminum wheels with Granite Crystal pockets. It further distinguishes itself with a Granite Crystal grille surround, plus commemorative "Dodge Est. 1914" front-fender badges and Dodge "100" wheel center caps.

Wheel Details

Interior

For the interior, Dodge prepared all-new, exclusive Molten Red or Foundry Black heated Nappa leather sport seats with brass-colored accent stitching and die-cast "Dodge Est. 1914" circular badges. These new sports seats offer nice contrast to the armrests trimmed in matching Molten Red or Foundry Black premium

leather and the Liquid Graphite center console bezels, steering wheel accents and door handle pulls.

Rounding out the interior are "Dodge Est. 1914" logos embroidered on premium the floor mats and a "100" mph indication in red featured on the new bright white gauge faces.

As standard feature, the 100th Anniversary Edition comes with a Uconnect system and a seven-speaker, Boston Acoustics audio system with 368-watt amplifier.

Seatback Logo Detail

Floor Mat Detail

Drivetrain

The new Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition is based on either the SXT or R/T Plus versions, so it will feature the engines found in these models.

When based on the SXT model, the model gets a 3.6-liter, Pentastar V-6 engine rated at 305 horsepower and mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. The R/T Plus version gets a 5.7-liter, HEMI V-8 engine that delivers a total of 375 horsepower and sprints the Challenger to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Drivetrain Specifications

Model

2014 Challenger SXT 100th Anniversary Edition

2014 Challenger R/T Plus 100th Anniversary Edition

Engine 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6

5.7-Liter HEMI V-8

Horsepower @ RPM

305 @ 6,350

375 @ 5,150

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

268 @ 4,800

410 @ 4,300


Prices

The new Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition is priced at only $2,500 more than the Challenger SXT Plus or R/T Plus trim levels, meaning that the customers will have to pay either $28,795 or $34,995 depending on the trim.

Competition

2014 Ford Mustang

We know you are all waiting for the new-generation Ford Mustang to arrive, but until then, the current generation remains a nice acquisition. The model is offered with a choice of two engines: a 3.7-liter, V-6 engine that delivers a total of 305 horsepower or a 5.0-liter, V-8 engine with an output of 420 horsepower.

The 2014 Mustang it priced from $22,995, but it can easily go up to $35,795 for the GT version.

Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro doesn't have the old-school muscle-car look of the Challenger, but it does take inspiration from Camaros of yesteryear.

For the 2014 model year, the Camaro LS and LT versions come with a 323-horsepower, V-6 engine, and the SS version gets a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that delivers up to 426 horsepower.

The Camaro is priced from $23,345.

Conclusion

It is always nice to remember the first steps a company made and all the effort needed to become what it is today. This is exactly what Dodge does with its latest special-edition Challenger, as it reminds us that starting in 1914, Dodge started its long crawl to one of the top three brands in America.