RPM Sept-Oct 2019

51 DODGE CHALLENGER Dodge has yet to dabble in the world of 4-cylinder performance, but why bother when its 3.6-liter V6 still pushes out a respectable 305 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft. of torque? Although, in all fairness, when discussing Dodge performance, it’s the Hemi that is the true showstopper. And while the entry level 5.7-liter boasts 375 horsepower and 410 lb.- ft. of torque, the Hellcat Redeye essentially destroys pavement with 797 horsepower and 707 lb.-ft. of torque. Thankfully, Dodge doesn’t throw this power out to the masses without a way to harness it. Higher trim 2019 Challenger models come standard with high-performance Brembo brakes and even basemodels get better-than- usual stopping power. Package that with an aluminum axle, 50/50 weight distribution, and all-speed traction control and drivers are gifted with what the automaker aptly sums up as “Unmistakable Muscle.” Stylistically, not much has changed for the 2019 model year—which is largely the point. Today’s Challenger needs little to prove its legendary ancestry, and does so easily with its straight-line speed and feral power output. What is significant, however, is Dodge’s marketing tactic of seemingly producing a Challenger for every potential buyer (with those high-end performance features available on nearly every one). From the entry-level SXT to range-topping Hellcat Redeye, there are 15 different models from which horsepower-hungry enthusiasts can choose. What’s planned for 2020? For 2020, it appears the Challenger’s Widebody trim will be shared with its Charger sibling, as Dodge revealed a promising concept model at the 2019 Spring Festival in Southern California. For the Challenger itself, a comprehensive redesign is underway but likely won’t appear until 2021 or even 2022—at which point fans may also see a hybrid drivetrain join the lineup. FCA CEO Mike Manley confirmed to reporters at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year that electrification is definitely on the table. One thing that can be confirmed is that rumors of the $200,000 Demon-crushing SRT Ghoul were just that—rumors. A good-natured April Fool’s joke, the report gained quite a bit of traction online before officially being debunked. However, the mere fact that it managed to dupe so many fans is a testament to both Dodge and its competitors’ modern “(Horse)Power to the People” mentality. black bar wearing a Flowtie on the SS— was met with some fan backlash, but the automaker has already remedied its faux pas for 2020. What’s planned for 2020? As stated, Chevy has already announced a facelift for the 2020 Camaro SS, recently debuting the model with a newly-designed front end, sans the much-maligned black bar and repositioned bowtie logo. More exciting however, is the addition of a new and improved affordable V8 model: the LT1. Coming in just under $35,000 (including destination charges), the no-frills trim offers the powerful 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mated to either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic at roughly $3,000 less than the current 1SS base V8 model. Additionally, for 2020, V6-equippedCamaros will also gain the aforementioned 10-speed auto as an option, replacing the former eight-speed. This is perhaps unexpected, as the previously manual-only Camaro ZL1 1LE track beast proved the transmission’s worthiness when it gained the option as a $1600 upgrade in February 2019. Stakes are high, as Ford,Chevy, and Dodge continue a decades-long battle for the title of King of the Modern Muscle Era... 2019 Chevy Camaro 2019 Dodge Challenger