Following a number of teasers in the run-up to the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, the speed gurus from Mopar, FCA’s in-house performance group, pulled the sheets on a brand-new, utterly custom Dodge Charger concept car, and with it, a new crate engine that puts last year’s “Hellcrate” package to shame.

That’s One Slick Custom

First, the concept. Offered as an homage to the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1968 Dodge Charger, it’s called the 1968 Dodge Super Charger Concept, and it’s lower, longer, and wider than what rolled out of the factory five decades ago. The wheelbase was extended to 119 inches, and fresh 20-inch wheels up front come paired to 21-inch wheels in the rear. The concept offers an utterly bespoke exterior, with a large rear spoiler, a new fascia, and Hellcat-inspired body pieces throughout.

It’s the perfect thing for SEMA, but crazy concepts are par for the course here. The really big news was what came next.

Say Hello To The Hellephant

After outlining the new concept, Mopar reps pulled the sheets on the “Hellephant,” a brand-new blown 426 crate engine offered as an homage to the early 426 first seen in 1964. The engine is made from lightweight aluminum, and comes as a follow-up to last year’s 707-horsepower Hellcat crate engine. As such, the Hellephant ups the ante even further with an astounding 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque at the crank right out of the box, making it the first-ever OEM crate engine to crack the four-digit barrier.

Interested enthusiasts will be eager to know the Hellephant will go on sale in early 2019. Pricing is so far unannounced, but considering the current 6.2-liter Hellcat crate engine will run you around $20,000, don’t expect to pay any less for the Hellephant.

Watch The Debut Here

Further Reading

Read our full review on the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Read our full review on the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Read our full review on the standard Dodge Challenger.