Looks like Dodge is building something special for the Challenger's 50th birthday.
Despite being over ten years old, the current Dodge Challenger is still a strong seller. Impressively, the Challenger even managed to outsell its two chief rivals, the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, in the third quarter of this year. While a next-generation Challenger isn't expected to arrive until 2023, Dodge has been keeping the Challenger fresh with a slew of new exciting new variants.
The 840-hp Challenger SRT Demon generated a lot of publicity for the performance brand, but it's no longer in production. Right now, the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is the most powerful Challenger on sale today, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 generating 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. According to Mopar Insiders, Dodge is preparing to expand the Challenger range with a new special edition, track-focused variant that will wear a familiar badge.
The new track-focused muscle car is being built to celebrate the Challenger's 50th anniversary next year, so it should be something special. Expect it to sport an extreme aerodynamics upgrade to increase downforce and borrow some of the Dodge Viper ACR's technology. In fact, the commemorative car will reportedly be called the Dodge Challenger ACR.
This wouldn't be the first time the Challenger used the ACR name. Back in 2011, Dodge and Mopar showed off a Challenger ACR concept at the 2011 SEMA show. It was based on a Challenger SRT8 and featured extensive use of weight-saving carbon fiber. Unfortunately, it never went into production, but it looks like that could be about to change.
Upgrades we expect the Challenger ACR to feature include a massive adjustable dual-element carbon-fiber rear wing, a detachable extension for the front splitter, and additional dive planes to make it look even more aggressive. Just like the SRT Demon and R/T Scat Pack 1320, it might only come with a driver seat as standard, with the option to add an extra passenger seat for just $1.
Powertrain details remain unknown, but it will likely have more power on tap than the 797-hp Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. Also don't be surprised if production and availability of the Challenger ACR is restricted, as the Demon was limited to 3,300 units and was only sold for the 2018 model year. It would make sense, then, for the Challenger ACR to only be sold in 2020 to mark the muscle car's 50th anniversary.
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