Dodge Challenger Lineup

Of the three remaining pony cars, the Dodge Challenger is the closest you can find to the driving feel of a 1960’s era two-door hardtop muscle car. And Dodge is certainly flexing… by adding two new variations of the Challenger for 2019.

Let’s start with the SRT Hellcat Redeye. It takes most of the go-fast engine goodies and extended wheel flares from the limited-production Demon, and mixes in some serious stick-hard suspension and tires, to make an ultimate track-day Challenger. 

Horsepower stands at 797, and torque at 707 lb-ft. from the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8 engine mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic. Stomp the peddle and you hit 60 in 3.4 seconds. Moreover, the 300-foot elevation changes per lap at Club Motorsports in New Hampshire were literally flattened.  Controlled fury is how we’d best describe this track experience.

With all systems set in track mode, this Challenger Widebody’s seriously broad tires, adaptive suspension, and huge brakes were certainly up to the task of channeling that massive power to the pavement. But full-on drifts are just a throttle-flick away at any time. The 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye stickers at a bit less than $71,000.

For those with less monstrous ambitions and more modest budgets, the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody offers the same basic suspension with a little stiffer setup. Dodge started using the Scat Pack name back in 1968 for their performance models built for speed.

A naturally-aspirated 392 HEMI V-8 is paired with a standard 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox. 485-horsepower and 475-pound-feet of torque makes it plenty quick…try 0-60 in only 3.8 seconds…yet very manageable to drive, and no less entertaining than the Hellcat. 

The 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody starts at around 45-grand. Both race into dealers’ lots later this year.