The new Drag Pak has a race-prepped automatic transmission, upgraded from the previous generation vehicle, for both the 354 and 426 engine options.
Shades and smells of the Mopar nitro methane sixties – be there or be square – pervaded the FCA proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan today. The new Challenger squealed/peeled/smoked its demonstration of the new Dodge Challenger Drag Pak in Chelsea, Michigan.
Just bring money, lots – and lots of driving expertise, as the cars are eight-second quarter mile wild beasts, giving another meaning to Challenger. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the naturally aspirated 426 version of the Mopar Challenger Drag Pak is claimed to be a “cubic inch appropriate” $99,426, with the 354 supercharged racecar available for $109,354 MSRP.
Keeping with the Mopar brand’s long tradition of offering racers track-ready cars that gained, err, traction back in 1963–1964 when Max Wedge package cars rolled off the production line bound for the strip, the next-generation Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak smoked its way into existence.
These versions of the Challenger are a factory-prepped package car specifically geared for drag racing.
- A supercharged 354 HEMI engine, with a cast-iron block, forged steel crankshaft, Mopar spec camshaft and a custom performance engine calibration is under the factory hood. The 354 pays homage to the heritage of the early Gen 1 HEMI engines, which originally displaced 354 cubic inches.
- The naturally aspirated 426 Race order ativan HEMI engine is built off a Mopar aluminum block with pressed-in steel liners and aluminum cylinder heads. Like the supercharged engine, the 426 HEMI also includes a custom engine calibration. The new Drag Pak has a race-prepped automatic transmission, upgraded from the previous generation vehicle, for both the 354 and 426 engine options.
The front suspension has a unique Mopar K-Member and suspension geometry, with double adjustable compression and rebound struts. At the back of the car is a four-link suspension with Panhard bar, Strange Engineering 4-inch solid axle with 9-inch aluminum third member, 40-spline gun-drilled axles, shocks with adjustable compression and rebound and an anti-roll bar. The rear axle mounting is strengthened from the previous generation Drag Pak to help the car launch faster and harder.
“Our brand is committed to supporting Mopar drivers who compete at all levels. In 2014, we debuted a new Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock car that won right out of the gate. In 2015, our new Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car did the same. Now, Mopar is supercharging our Sportsman racers,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar.
The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak will be open for ordering through authorized Dodge dealerships, beginning July 23 as the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals kickoff with the Mopar Block Party in downtown Golden, Colorado. For ordering information on the new Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, visit www.mopar.com/mopar-drag-pak.
