50th Anniversary Edition Challenger celebrates golden anniversary with new exterior paint color, body-color Shaker hood on HEMI® V-8 models, unique badging and heritage style available on four Challenger models.

By Asian Journal Auto Editor

The Dodge Challenger is what I’d call the quintessential two-door American muscle car – focused on straight line acceleration with an authentic ‘60s and ‘70s muscle car vibe in terms of the exterior design. The modern iteration of the Dodge Challenger has been with us since 2008, and since a 2015 redesign has been offered in plethora of special editions with either V6 or V8 engines. The most spectacular of these editions is the latest Widebody packages and the Hellcat and RedEye models with over 7170 Horsepower! We tested a 2020 Scat Pack Challenger 6.4L V8, in the Widebody form, with a gorgeous long wide performance hood, the bulging rear shoulders, and extended fenders, a black SRT grille with the larger front splitter, and 392 Bumble bee Scat Pack badges. Out back, you will find LED brake lights, dual rear stainless steel exhausts and an optional satin-black SRT Performance spoiler and rear Scat Pack black stripes.
The Widebody increases the width of the Challenger by some 3.5 inches at each wheel arch allowing room for giant 20 -inch forged carbon black finished wheels backed by huge Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers, and four piston Brembos out back. Additionally, you get a stiffer adaptive Bilstein suspension with three modes, along with larger and stiffer anti-roll bars front and back and a 3.09 rear axle ratio. Massive 305 section-width tires complete the look.
The naturally aspirated SRT 6.4-litre Hemi 485-horsepower V8 as fitted to our tester is the more agreeable everyday option with 485 horsepower, teamed with an eight – speed transmission. Inside the wide cabin there is generous head and shoulder room, while legroom is decent. I loved the super comfortable high front seats that provide easy entry and exit. The front seats and flat bottom leather steering wheel are heated. Optional ventilated seats as part of a package that also adds an all-new premium stitched dash and door panel trim, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and ambient lighting on the doors. There is also an optional Scat Pack Nappa leather and faux suede inserts with the Scat Pack logos on the seat backs as fitted on our tester. There is a great-looking color 7-inch driver info display with red accents and a performance shift indicator. FCA’s excellent UConnect4 NAV system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is awesome to use with a very responsive 8.4-inch touchscreen On the App page there are SRT drive modes (track, sport custom) and SRT dashboard and performance pages. A Driver’s Convenience Group adds blind spot and rear cross path detection. Adaptive cruise control along with forward collision warning are available as part of a tech package. In contrast to the Challenger’s front cabin, the rear seats can seat three, but with reduced legroom. An optional 900-watt 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is an audiophiles dream.
Press the push-button start and the Scat Pack Bee and 392 badge gauge lights up dramatically. On the road, listening to the big V8 rumble, thunder and snarl is intoxicating, it’s easy to chirp the tires on standing starts and there is that lovely feeling of being shoved back in the seat when you accelerate. With 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, it’s all brimstone and fire with an evil urge to just floor the throttle. Acceleration is terrific, and if you really have to ask – top speed is rated at close to 300 kph! Close to Porsche and other supercar performance. Despite its size with the extra 3.5-inches of width due to the Widebody package, you get used to handling the big coupe on the road, It is only in parking lots and confined spaces that you need to be aware of it width. Rear and side visibility is compromised, but helped by a back- up camera and standard ParkSense rear park assist system, as well as optional blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic monitoring. In terms of the ride, the Widebody Competition Suspension errs on stiffness on the highway and is compliant on most roads, The Challenger is a big, heavy car and you have to be sure and confident of steering inputs. Despite the well weighted steering, the Challenger needs some finesse when it comes to tight bends and curves, especially in the wet. Brembo brakes are well up to task of stopping the heavy Challenger very quickly.
To sum up the Challenger has always been a favorite car of mine with its retro muscle car looks, and irresistible character that no other coupe has. The Widebody just delivers intoxicating driver satisfaction. Highly recommended if All –American muscle is what moves you.

2020 Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack Widebody: priced from $52,495.price as tested: 71,560 plus options, taxes and destination. More info at www.dodge.ca