Dodge Introduces a New 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack
Dodge has been a huge supporter of drag racing since the Sixties. The recent iterations of the Challenger R/T and Charger R/T are just the latest embodiment of that support. The newest model is based upon the 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T and is called the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320.
Scat Pack 1320 Continues Company’s Focus on Drag-Oriented Street Cars
Some of the company’s most recent Challenger and Charger models have been barely-disguised drag racers. The 2019 model is named as a nod to the drag racing community in that a quarter mile equates to 1,320 feet.
New Scat Pack 1320 is Equipped with Drag Specific Features and Tech
One surprise is that the 392 HEMI only produces 485 horses and 475 pound-feet of torque, when previous models have had as much as 700 ponies under the hood. That HEMI is mated to an eight speed TorqueFlite transmission. This combination propels the production dragster to a quarter mile ET of 11.7 seconds @ 115 MPH. These numbers make it the fastest naturally-aspirated production muscle car.
The 1320 includes a number of racing tech features from last year’s Demon, such as the SRT-tuned Adaptive Damping Suspension with Drag Mode, TransBrake, Torque Reserve, Line Lock and beefy (really beefy) 41-spline half shafts on the independent rear. This year’s model also comes standard with only the driver seat, although passenger and rear seats are optionally available like last year.
Dodge challenged Nexen to come up with a new drag spec tire for this year’s Challenger Scat Pack, and they came through with the Nexen SUR4G Drag Spec 275/40R20 tires, which give the car excellent traction and launch characteristics.
Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands-Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA-North America told reporters, “All it takes is an evening spent at a local drag strip to learn that the grassroots drag-racing community is large and extremely loyal to their cars. We created the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 for the heart of the sport, the bracket racer who wants to drive to the track, suit up, go fast and go home with a big smile and maybe a trophy in the trunk with minimal prep and upkeep.”
