The second coming of the muscle car->ke507 era in the late 2000s and early 2010s has brought about the reintroduction of factory-built drag cars. And Chrysler->ke21 is no stranger to this realm. Hell, its Challenger Hellcat could hold its own against plenty of amateur dragsters, but for semi-pro and lower-level pro drag racing, you need a little more. This is where the Challenger Drag Pak comes in to play, and Chrysler and Mopar have just shown off the first test vehicle for this upcoming rig.

What is so awesome about these factory-built drag cars is that they are true-to-the-original racers. Unlike so many race cars->ke148, these models have real headlights, taillights and other details, and not just stickers in the places where these items would be.

We've already seen what the latest Mustang Cobra Jet and COPO Camaro have to offer, now it's time to see what Mopar and Chrysler can do to get the new 2015 Challenger down the quarter mile as quickly as possible.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Test Vehicle.

2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Test Vehicle by Mopar

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Test Vehicle by Mopar
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 700
  • Torque: 660
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside, it is noticeable that this is not your typical 2015 Dodge Challenger, but not overly obvious. It is draped in all white, save for the black hood and the "vintage stripe" on each of the rear quarters. It is also adorned with plenty of "426 HEMI" badges to go along with the front and rear trim borrowed from the Challenger SRT.

Laying the power to the asphalt is a set of 15-inch wheels wrapped up in 30-by-9-inch rubber. Up front, the Challenger Drag Pak test car has 15-inch wheels embraced by 28-by-4.5-inch skinnies. Even with only a quick glance at the wheels and rubber, it is obvious that this Challenger is set up to go in a straight line really fast.

Short of the drag-racing rubber and the hood scoop, the Challenger Drag Pak test car looks like little more that a warmed-over road-going model. I actually prefer this near-sleeper look to the racier COPO and Cobra Jet.

Interior

On the inside, the Challenger Drag Pak tester is based on the 2015 Challenger SRT. The only items that give it away as a racer are its Mopar gauges, racing front seats, racing shifter, safety nets, five-point harnesses and the NHRA-spec full roll cage.

Open up the trunk and there are a few more racing bits, including a weight box and a 12-volt battery.

Drivetrain and Suspension

Under the hood of the Challenger Drag Pak tester, there is a 426-cubic-inch Rage HEMI engine. This custom-calibrated engine features an aluminum block to help keep the weight as low as possible. Unfortunately, Mopar chose not to reveal its output, but given the Mopar 426 HEMI crate engine pumps out 540 horses, I think nearly 600 ponies is about right for this application.

The engine mates to a 727 automatic transmission. This transmission features a line lock for expert burn outs and an aluminum driveshaft to reduce weight.

The suspension system includes a Mopar K-Member up front and adjustable struts. Around back, there is a four-link suspension setup with a Panhard bar, a solid axle and a nine-inch, aluminum third member. The rear end also features adjustable shocks.

Braking this beast is a precision performance front and rear brake kit with updated rotors, calipers, and master cylinder.

2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Test Vehicle - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

426 C.I. HEMI V-8

Output (HP @ RPM)

TBA

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

TBA

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

TBA


Pricing

There is no pricing information as of 8/29/2014, but "expensive" should cover it until Dodge and Mopar apply an entrance fee to this wild ride.

Competition

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

The Mustang Cobra Jet is a thing of beauty, thanks to its 5.0-liter V-8 with a 2.9-liter supercharger strapped to it. There are no official specs on it, but a good estimate is somewhere in the 550-to 600-horsepower range. But it's not all about power here, as the Cobra Jet also receives a lightened body.

This car is tuned specifically to handle the quarter-mile and is limited to only 50 units in 2014. The grand total for this mighty dragster is a relatively affordable $97,990.

Chevrolet Camaro COPO

The COPO Camaro has roots that trace back to the 1960s, and the 2014 COPO Camaro continues in its footsteps. On the outside, like many of these factory-direct models, the COPO Camaro is strikingly similar to its road-going model, save for the massive hood scoop and the drag-racing tires.

With the COPO, Chevy offers a choice of engines, including a 427 C.I. V-8, a supercharged 350, a naturally aspirated 350 and a free-breathing 396. There were no pricing details or power number revealed, but let's just say "really expensive" and "a whole lot" sum it up nicely.

Conclusion

Sure, the Challenger Drag Pack is nowhere near as insane looking as the Cobra Jet and COPO Camaro, but chances are that it is just as fast. I only wish Dodge would have released some basic output figures, but I guess it doesn't want the world knowing what its buyers have under their hoods. A Hellcat engine would likely fit nicely under the hood too, but it probably wouldn't be up to the stress of constant drag racing.