'19 Dodge Challenger (the Non-SRT Ones): Scat Pack Gets More Hellish
Look, we all know if Gene Simmons were buying a new Dodge Challenger, it’d be a Hotter Than Hellcat. The new Redeye is the obvious choice. But if, perchance, Gene found himself on a budget, he’d invariably be looking at one of the other new 2019 Challenger models. Undoubtedly with the God of Thunder in mind, FCA has upped the desirability quotient of its latest two-doors, including a rear-seat-delete option on the R/T Scat Pack model, yet another trickle-down bonus from 2018’s Demon program.
Like the 2019 Charger, the Challenger lineup has gone houndstooth crazy on the seats, an option that’s available on the R/T Scat Pack (with embroidered bee graphics!), the R/T, and the new rear-wheel-drive V-6–powered GT model.
Aside from the zazzy chairs, the Scat Pack gets a Widebody option as well as other Hellcat-look exterior cues including an aluminum power-bulge hood with dual hot-air extractors and air-catcher headlights. The Widebody option offers the same 3.5-inch increase in girth as the extra-width Hellcat and hides a pair of 305/35ZR-20 Pirellis on 11.0-by-20-inch “Devil’s Rim” forged aluminum wheels. The Widebody also gets stiffer springs, retuned adaptive dampers, and larger anti-roll bars front and rear, vis-à-vis the standard Scat Pack. Widebody buyers also get an adaptive suspension, a front fascia with an integrated splitter that is designed to shunt airflow to the cooling modules while still keeping the front end stuck to the ground. And finally, there’s a Hellcat-spec rear spoiler. Dodge claims the mods add up to a 12.1-second, 112-mph quarter-mile.
Standard on all Scat Packs are launch control, the new dash-mounted Launch Assist switch, a line lock to maximize tire-vaporization potential, FCA’s SRT Drive modes, and the SRT Performance Pages suite. Outside, the Scat Packs get bee badges on the front fenders, while the grille wears Challenger and R/T badging. Inside, Liquid Titanium accents are applied to the wheel, shifter, and instrument bezels, offset by the new Dark Dub Plate finish on the instrument panel.
Non–Scat-Pack R/T and Challenger GT RWD models receive what Dodge refers to as the Super Trak Pak, featuring performance suspensions, “enhanced” steering, 20-inch Granite Crystal painted wheels, paddle shifters for automatic models, a performance hood and front splitter, and bolstered cloth seats. A Performance Handling Group package is optional. On the GT RWD, it includes four-piston Brembo calipers front and rear, 9.0-by-20-inch Black Noise wheels, and a larger rear anti-roll bar to combat understeer. On the R/T, the group adds upgraded springs and anti-roll bars, Bilstein dampers, and stiffer bushings and mounts. R/T buyers in search of more can tick a box for the Performance Plus package, which includes 9.5-by-20-inch forged wheels with 275/40ZR-20 Pirelli P Zeros, a limited-slip in the pumpkin, and what Dodge says is “enhanced handling balance.”
The new Challengers are available in an array of 14 colors, including Gene’s favored Destroyer Grey. If you prefer The Replacements’ rendition of “Black Diamond,” you might be more interested in B5 Blue, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, Triple Nickel, White Knuckle, or Yellow Jacket. Given his makeup preference, Gene would undoubtedly choose Demonic Red for his interior, but you or Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg could opt for Black, Black/Caramel, Black/Ruby Red, or Sepia. We’re thinking Paul is a Sepia man.
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