The 2020 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is the fourth-generation drag car based on FCA's two-door muscle car. Based on the modern Challenger, like all its predecessors since 2008, it features drag-specific upgrades and its certified for NHRA and NMCA competitions. In short, it's a turnkey package that turns the streetable Challenger into an ideal dragster for both amateur and professional racers. Let's find out what's new for the 2020 model year in the review below.

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Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Drivetrain and Performance

Mopar offered this mill on the previous Drag Pak in 2015 as well, but the engine was obviously upgraded for 2020. There's no word as to how much oomph it generates, but we do know that the previous Drag Pak was capable of a whopping 1,200 horsepower. The naturally aspirated 7.0-liter Hemi V-8 was discontinued, though so we're curious as to how well this 5.8-liter stacks up.

The supercharged V-8 mates to a T400 three-speed transmission with a Kwik-Shift manual shifter. It also includes a Racepak Smartwire fully programmable power distribution center, a lightweight driveshaft, and race-spec brakes at all four corners. In the front, there's a unique engine cross member that lowers the center of gravity and improves weight distribution, as well as double-adjustable Bilstein struts.

Obviously the big question is how quick this thing can launch off the line. Dodge had nothing to say about that, but previous Challenger Drag Pak was notoriously fast. The 2018 NHRA Factory Stock Showdown saw the Drag Pak run the first seven-second run in the class with Leah Pritchett behind the wheel. Geoff Turk reached a similar benchmark in the 2018 NMCA Factory Super Cars class.

What About the Chevy COPO Camaro?

To add a little bit of contrast and to show you just how bonkers the Challenger Drag Pak really is, we need to look at its main competitor – the Chevy COPO Camaro. The Camaro is built for the dragstrip, no doubt, but it doesn’t hold up in terms of power at all. The COPO Camaro is offered with three different engines; a 302 cubic-inch naturally aspirated V-8, a 427 cubic-inch naturally aspirated V-8, and a supercharged 350 cubic-inch V-8. This sounds pretty good at first, but the power output available from the COPO Camaro ranges from just 360 horsepower with the 302 to 470 horsepower for the 427, and just 580 horsepower with the supercharged 350. In other words, you literally need two COPO Camaros to equal the same power you get in the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the COPO can’t compete on the drag strip. According to Chevy, the COPO with the supercharged 350 can run the quarter-mile in the mid-8-second range at as much as 160 mph. Unfortunately, we don’t know how the new Challenger Drag Pak stacks up in terms of running down the line, but we expect seven-second quarter miles, so it’ll probably be quicker. After all, it does have more than 1,000 horsepower on tap.

Chevy COPO Camaro Specs

Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Exterior Design

This time around though, Dodge went with features inspired by the more extreme Hellcat. Both the front grille and the bumper are very similar to the Hellcat's, down to the splitter mounted at the bottom. The engine hood also mimics the design of the Hellcat thanks to its intake and heat extractors. Of course, the race-spec model also features quick-release pins, just like the race-ready Demon.

The profile is also similar to the road-going Hellcat, but the drag-specific wheels make it stand out. As usual, the front wheels are skinnier, while the rear wheels are much larger for extra grip. The livery also helps the Challenger Drag Pak stand out. There's a blue stripe with red tracers on the side skirt (which becomes wider on the lower rear fender), and a blue "Mopar" logo and red "Dragpak" lettering on the upper rear fender.

The rear end is basically a Hellcat with drag-specific features. The Drag Pak comes equipped with wheelie bars and a parachute. Both are integrated into the rear section of the chassis. Although the Drag Pak doesn't feature rear-mounted exhaust pipes, the holes in the lower bumper are still there. Just like the rear fenders, the rear bumper features wide blue stripes and red tracers. The same stripe combination adorns the front hood and then runs over the roof and onto the trunk lid.

This three-color livery is quite modern, but it's design reminds me of classic Mopar factory drag racers from the late 1960s and early 1970s. If you don't fancy the Mopar livery, you don't need to worry as this layout is unique to the presentation model. You can buy your racer with a simple paint job and in a different color as well.

Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Interior Design

Dodge has yet to release photos of the car's interior, but did mention that it's equipped with Racetech seats. These are obviously approved for NHRA and NMCA racing and fitted with race-spec harnesses. . Since it's not a road-legal car, it doesn't need things like infotainment, navigation, or a production instrument cluster.

2020 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Unveiling

Final Thoughts

Given the tremendous performance and the success of the old model, it should sell out in no time, so hurry up if you want one. Despite the age and the old platform of the current-generation Challenger, the Drag Pak remains an impressive machine and proves that you don't needs a brand-new design to win drag races. Of course, the same doesn't apply for track use, but who cares? The Challenger Drag Pak is mean, powerful, and fast, just like it needs to be at the drag strip. One hell of a return after five years!