Hemi-Powered Dodge Challenger Can't Wait To Pull You Over

Jul. 18, 2019 6:00 PM ET by Noah Joseph / 13 Comments

Think twice before speeding through Florida.

Dodge is no stranger to the motor pools of police departments across the United States and around the world. We're just more used to seeing Chargers outfitted for the purpose than any other vehicle that FCA makes. But one law-enforcement agency has gone a different direction.

The latest recruit to the Florida Highway Patrol is the Dodge Challenger you see here, decked out in the force's signature black and tan livery and emblazoned with its logos. "As you can see, we take aggressive driving seriously! Please slow down, buckle up, reduce distractions," tweeted the department. "We are watching."

FHP Jacksonville via Twitter

The cruiser appears to be based on a Challenger R/T, which packs a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 kicking out 372 horsepower. Not quite as potent, then, as a supercharged Hellcat or Demon engine, but better than the base V6, and surely more than enough to chase most speeders down the freeways around the Jacksonville area where it's been dispatched.

The FHP says its new muscle car has also been fitted with 360-degree HD cameras and special lighting. And you can bet it carries a wide array of other special equipment. Highway patrol cars typically carry police-grade strobe lights, sirens, and radio communication systems.

Dodge

Some even pack emergency medical equipment in case a patrolman gets to the scene of an accident before the ambulance arrives.

Fiat Chrysler typically offers Dodge Chargers, Durangos, and Ram 1500s for police duty. It's also been known to supply Jeep Grand Cherokees, Wranglers, and Renegades – even Fiats and Alfa Romeos – for police forces, particularly overseas like with Italy's federal Carabinieri. But we think the Challenger looks pretty well-suited towards the purpose. And whatever engine it's packing, it'd likely give motorists pause before mashing the throttle when seeing one of these in their rearview mirror or stopped on the side of the highway.