A Look at 3 Stand Out Dodge Challengers
The Dodge Challenger is a muscle car of the ages. What started as a concept in the late Sixties, the Dodge Challenger has become an icon for the Dodge car brand. It’s a muscle car that will never goes out of style, and yet continues to be a relevant design as time goes on.
Every year, the Challenger has a new surprise to show us, whether it’s a new paint job or a new model altogether. Recently, an old model was brought back from the archives, the Dodge Challenger T/A, along with some of Dodge’s signature High-Impact Colors (HIPs).
Overall, there are 10 variations of the Challenger to date, with the eleventh coming up. There are three models that are impossible to mistake for another brand and will always signify a Dodge Challenger – the R/T Plus Shaker, 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker, and the SRT Hellcat.
Dodge Challenger R/T Plus Shaker
In a class of its own, the R/T Plus Shaker was one of the first Challengers to be designed with R/T DNA. In other words, “Road/Track” parts have been implemented into the R/T Plus Shaker design, along with all new suspension, tires, brakes, and a 5.7L V8 HEMI VVT engine. The term “Shaker” is due to a scoop in the hood of the car that funnels air into the engine intake; when the engine revs, the torque causes the scoop to move, which gives the “shaking” illusion and a much more satisfying purr. It also wears the “R/T” badge on the body.
Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker
Another Challenger with the “Shaker” scoop, the 392 HEMI Scat Pack changed everything. Known as the “King of all Shakers,” the 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker is a part of the HEMI and Scat Pack Challenger families. However, there is no family feud between these two classes. If anything, the combination was a big deal when it first came out, and is still a fan favorite today. This model is the most powerful Shaker Challenger to date.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a living legend. “SRT” stands for “Street & Racing Technology,” meaning the car can be used on the street or in a racing environment, and the technology inside delivers a single purpose: higher performance. Able to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, it’s the fastest muscle car ever. Unlike the other two Challenger trims, there is no Shaker hood on this model, instead, it has the option of dual carbon racing stripes and wears the “SRT” badge and Hellcat logos.
Engines
The engines for all three models have been mentioned in passing, but let’s take a closer look at them and the power they possess.
Dodge Challenger R/T Plus Shaker
Designed with Road/Track tech, the Challenger R/T Plus Shaker has an engine to back it up. Powered by a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI VVT engine that puts out 375-horsepower, so it packs a punch. “VVT” stands for “Variable valve timing,” a process integrated into engines for higher performance and optimal fuel economy. With a 6-speed manual TREMEC transmission, its fuel economy is 15 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. Additionally, buyers have the option of adding a multi-displacement system (MDS) to improve fuel efficiency.
Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker
The strongest engine in a Shaker thus far, the 6.4-liter V8 SRT HEMI engine rides in at 485-horsepower. It also comes with 6-speed manual TREMEC transmission, and has the option of a MDS, too. The popular MDS system helps increase fuel economy by deactivating four of the eight cylinders when the throttle is closed or the car reaches a steady speed. Without MDS, the EPA rating comes in at 14 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
Saving the best for last, under the hood of the Challenger SRT Hellcat is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 HEMI SRT Hellcat engine. This baby puts out 707-horsepower with 650 lb-ft of torque. It’s currently the strongest in the Challenger lineup, but we’re already making way for the 900-horsepower Challenger that will be released soon. The Challenger SRT Hellcat also comes standard with 6-speed manual TREMEC transmission, with the option of switching out for a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission, also an available option on all Challenger models. The Challenger SRT Hellcat has a fuel economy of 13 city/21 highway MPG.
The 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T starts at $38,995, the 2016 Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker starts at $43,795, and the 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat starts at $64,195.