Dodge->ke28 introduced the Challenger T/A as a 1970-only model and racing homologation car. In order to race the Challenger in the SCCA's Trans Am championship, Dodge built a street version of its race car->ke148 under the T/A moniker. The T/A shared the same 5.6-liter engine with the Trans Am racer, but while the latter used a destroked version, the road-legal coupe->ke141 gained a trio of two-barrel carburetors atop an aluminum intake manifold. That's how the 340 Six Pack engine was born. Officially rated at 290 ponies, the mill was said to make about 320 horsepower. Extra features that set the T/A apart from its standard sibling included front disc brakes, a heavy-duty suspension, bigger tires on the rear, front and rear spoilers, a black hood, and thick side stripes. The interior, on the other hand, was bone-stock. The T/A needed 14.3 seconds to complete the quarter-mile, which was a half-second quicker than the standard 340 Challenger and nearly a full second slower than the 426 HEMI-equipped cars. The Challenger T/A wasn't offered beyond the 1970 model year, but, as we venture into 2015, Dodge is reviving the Trans Am moniker for the SEMA Show.

The T/A returns only as a concept for now, but the resemblance with the legendary classic is astonishing. That makes me want a production version in showrooms A.S.A.P., and the fact that the T/A Concept was preceded by the 2015 Challenger SRT Trans Am->ke216 makes me think Dodge is planning to put it on the assembly line sometime in 2015. But until that happens, let's have a look at the concept heading to Las Vegas.

Updated 01/23/2015: The new Challenger T/A Concept also made an appearance at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and we were there to take some shots. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.

Click past the jump to read more about the Dodge Challenger T/A Concept.

Exterior

While the overall shape of the standard Challenger remains unchanged for the T/A, a host of Mopar body parts give it a unique appearance. A matte-black front splitter and gurney-lip spoiler provide additional downforce, while the stock hood is replaced by a Mopar piece that comes with a Viper-inspired center scoop and racing pins. The muscle car also gains the company's Air Catcher headlamps, which provide a steady stream of cool air to the engine.

The T/A is finished in Dodge's brand-new, Sublime Green high-impact color, which pays tribute to the Trans Am car raced by Sam Posey in 1970. Just like its predecessor, the modern-day T/A's body is also adorned by matte-black T/A graphics on each side. Rounding off the heritage look is a set of wide, 20-inch, lightweight, forged-aluminum wheels painted in matte-black and side exhaust pipes boasting a black, ceramic-coated finish. It might not be as powerful as the Challenger Hellcat, but the T/A Concept is definitely an eye-catcher.

Interior

Things get even more interesting inside the T/A, where Dodge and Mopar focused on giving the muscle car a race-ready appearance. Gone are the standard front seats, replaced by a pair of race-inspired, carbon-fiber units with safety harnesses and embroidered T/A logos. The bolstered seats come wrapped in high-grip cloth for improved lateral support, while the flat-bottomed steering wheel sports perforated leather and gloss-black bezels.

The T/A's heritage is yet again obvious in the cabin by means of a pistol grip shifter and a 180-mph speedometer with white gauges and metallic rings. Visual enhancements also include gloss-black bezels and door release handles. As a weight-saving measure, Dodge ditched the rear seats and added brushed-aluminum panels instead. A rear roll bar is also included in the package for enhanced chassis rigidity.

Drivetrain

Under the matte-black hood of the Challenger T/A Concept lurks Dodge's proven 6.4-liter, HEMI engine, likely mated to a six-speed manual transmission. There's no word on updates and output figures, but we expect it to crank out the bone-stock 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque available with the standard 2015 models. Thanks to its reduced curb weight, however, the Challenger T/A should be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, to go with a top speed of 182 mph.

Prices

You can't really put a price on a concept car, so we'll have to wait and see whether Dodge will offer a production version of the Challenger T/A or not. If that happens, it'll likely be sold as a package and not as a stand-alone trim.

Conclusion

The Challenger is arguably a dated pony when compared to the 2015 Ford Mustang or the current-generation Chevy Camaro, but Dodge is the more active manufacturer when it comes to paying tribute to its heritage. It revived the Shaker hood for 2014, it built the crazy Challenger Hellcat -- the most powerful factory muscle car ever created -- and now it's bringing the T/A back into the spotlight. Sure, the modern-day T/A is only a Moparized concept car for now, but Dodge has all the means to turn it into a production vehicle. It would be a great package to send the current Challenger away and draw more old-school enthusiasts to Dodge dealerships.