The Chicago Auto Show might not have produced the same stack of big-ticket reveals as Detroit, but that doesn't mean McCormick Place was completely devoid of cool new cars. Along with the Hyundai Elantra GT Sport and Toyota RAV4 Adventure, the show played host to the Dodge Challenger Mopar, a two-tone special designed to celebrate 80 years worth of big wings, hood scoops and antifreeze from Mopar.
In the Mopar Challenger, power comes from the same 392 HEMI V8 you'll find in a base Challenger R/T 392 with the Scat Pack, which means it makes 485 hp (362 kW) and 644 Nm of torque. The motor is fitted with the Shaker Hood package which adds that gorgeous retro bonnet and badging to the nose. Dodge also says the pack provides "performance gains" compared to cars without it, but there's no mention of any extra power or torque on the spec sheet, so we're a little skeptical of just how much extra performance you get.
Although the Challenger isn't really known as a sharp handler – in the muscle car world, it's a good old fashioned straight line bruiser compared to the (relatively) light-footed Mustang and Camaro – Dodge has still tried to sharpen the Challenger Mopar. We aren't sure if the strut tower brace and four-piston Brembo brakes will provide a meaningful improvement over stock, but it's nice to see that Dodge has tried.
Beyond the mild performance improvements, the special edition Challenger is all about looks, with a special two-tone paint finish. Two versions will be available, one with the lower half of the car finished in Contusion Blue, the other in Billet Silver. The top half of both cars is finished in the Mopar Custom Shop for a deeper, darker look. Both versions have been treated to a hand-painted 392 logo on the flanks, and there are also 20-inch aluminum wheels fitted.
Inside, there are performance seats finished with embroidered logos and contrast stitching, while the dashboard and door panels are also finished in the same way. Not earth-shattering changes, but owners will be more interested in the special package that comes with the car. Along with the special badging and build plates fitted under the hood, owners will be given a welcome letter from Mopar, a sheet with all the build information about their specific car, and some special trinkets to commemorate the brand's 80th anniversary.
Just 160 examples of the Dodge Mopar Challenger will be built – 80 in each color scheme. Pricing will start at US$55,790, and cars should arrive in dealerships early in Q2 this year. In the meantime, the car will be on show at the Chicago Auto Show, where New Atlas is on the ground covering all the action.
Source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
