We drive the Dodge Challenger Scat Pack

2016 Dodge Challenger and its R/T Scat Pack with 6.4-liter HEMI powertrain

The Dodge Challenger has always been the forgotten muscle car. While the Camaro and Mustang get all the glory, the Challenger has been there sitting quietly in the corner. It is too bad because as we found out, it is a hell of a car and it is not that quiet either.

The Challenger can be had in so many different configurations and the best part is that you can make it into whatever you want. Prices start at $27,000 and go all the way to $64,195 for the top of the line model. Along the way there are 10 different models, each with its own personality. We ended up with the Goldilocks of the bunch in the Challenger Scat Pack R/T. It is a really nice piece of work by the Dodge people that will put a smile on your face every time you drive it.

The 2016 Dodge Challenger and its R/T Scat Pack with 6.4-liter HEMI powertrain, showcases the evolution of the performance brand while staying true to the muscle car’s heritage, with its roots harking back to Scat Pack performance stage kits offered on 1968-71 Challengers.

Under the hood is a 6.4 liter version of the Hemi V8 that cranks out 485 naturally aspirated horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine sounds wicked and is definitely the best part of the car and it takes you back to the 60’s. Dodge has truly shown that it understands what a muscle car needs to be. Just like the old days, it is all about the engine.

[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]The new motor powers the Challenger to a mid 4-second 0-60 mph time and low 12-second quarter mile time, according to Dodge. The biggest problem that we saw was getting the rear tires to hook up but more on that later. The engine is mated to a six speed Tremec manual transmission. Our car had the optional 8 speed automatic which is not as good but at least you get paddle shifters and you can program the shift speed.

An active electronically controlled exhaust gives the car a deep, throaty exhaust note in keeping with its heritage and track-bred credentials. Performance upgrades include Brembo four-piston caliper front brakes, which deliver great stopping power, enabling a braking distance of 60-0 mph in 117 feet, performance suspension, an isolated rack-mounted electric power steering system (with three settings: Normal, Comfort and Sport), 20 x 9-inch polished with black pocket aluminum wheels, high-performance tires, and more.

A Scat Pack 6.4-liter badge, a 180-mph radial-numbered speedometer, aggressive front splitter and rear spoiler with an embedded ParkView rear backup camera complete the package.

A special Scat Pack Appearance Group adds a unique Bumble Bee rear stripe, Gloss Black grille surround, Satin Black fuel-filler door and HID headlamps. The interior features Scat Pack embroidered high-performance seats, premium embroidered floor mats, animated Scat Pack logo in the cluster and a thick steering wheel.

All of these sound great but you only get 245/45-20 tires which seem too small. It is so easy to burn rubber with this car because you have so much power and it seems like not enough traction. Drive at 25 mph and floor it in the lower gears, you can break the rear tires loose. That is a lot of fun and that is what a muscle car is supposed to do so it is not a complaint but I would put some bigger tires back there. The Hellcat model comes with 275s and that seems like a good choice for the Scat Pack.

Dash guages

Once you get inside the Challenger, you feel like you came back to 2016. In the middle of the dash is an 8.4 inch touchscreen display that controls everything. The optional system includes navigation, AM/FM radio with XM, traffic, as well as apps such as Pandora, iHeart radio, Yelp and more. It also plays USB and SD cards.

The center screen also controls the performance aspects of the car. You can make adjustments to the steering effort, engine response, transmission response, stability control sensitivity, launch control, performance gauges and performance timers.

The best part is that there is a button on the dash that you can press that jumps you to the performance pages. So you don’t have to search around for the pages. Everything is laid out very simply and is easy to figure out. And the normal functions such as navigation are easy to use and with the large screen very easy to see. Overall, the system is one of the best out there, regardless of price.

The front seats are very comfortable and have a decent level of support. The rear passengers have more room than other similar cars and Dodge actually gives you three seatbelts back there. The rear passengers have enough legroom and headroom for trips around town and the trunk is surprisingly roomy. This is a car that you can use every day and it can be your only car.

Brembo Brakes

What makes the Challenger so sweet is that it is an honest car. It does not pretend to be something else. If you want a BMW, then get a BMW. This is not a German sports sedan. This is a muscle car and if you liked the cars of the 60’s and early 70’s, you will love this.

The Challenger is not perfect. The view towards the back is terrible and the rear passengers will probably complain. The 6.4 liter engine is also very thirsty with mpg ratings of around 17 mpg. But none of that stuff matters. You always end up wanting to drive it and you always smile. It rides really well for a performance car so long trips are not a problem and the best stereo is under the hood. Dodge really knows how to build a muscle car.

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE TYPE:front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe

BASE PRICE:R/T Scat Pack, $39,890; SRT 392, $47,390

ENGINE TYPE:pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT:392 cu in, 6417cc
Power: 485 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 475 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm

TRANSMISSION:6-speed manual; 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 116.0 in
Length: 198.0 in
Width: 75.7 in Height:55.9 in
Curb weight (C/D est):4200 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.2-4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.7-10.0 sec
Standing Â¼-mile: 12.4-12.6 sec
Top speed: 175 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14-15/23-25 mpg

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