Challenger Scat Pack

Challenger Scat Pack. If you think the name sounds catchy and fast, you are right. 

The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, along with its bold, in-your-face lime color, is an iconic muscle car. The car stands out among an over-abundant sea of slow SUVs, all in shades of gray, black and white. 

The Challenger is manufactured for speed. With a 392 horsepower, V-8 hemi-MDS engine, it’s got power. The TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic allows the engine to better operate at peak efficiency with its lightweight design and better gas mileage. The Challenger averages 18 mpg, if you’re doing the speed limit, up to 24 mpg highway.

But who wants to drive the speed limit when this speedometer goes up to 180 mph?

The salesman kept telling me it’s fast. It’s powerful. So, when we left the dealership, he suggested I floor it.

Barely stepping on the accelerator, it took off, jerking my head back and nearly engaging my seatbelt. The specs say it can do 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, and I’m pretty sure I was close to that. OK, it may have taken me 6.5 seconds.

After I yanked on my seatbelt shoulder harness to loosen it, I settled in, listening to the rumble of the engine. Yep, it’s one of those loud exhausts you might hear racing past you in traffic. In fact, the decibels of the engine range from 90-110, based on acceleration. 

The Challenger has an 8.4-inch touchscreen, comfy bucket seats, a small backseat and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Resting your hand on the center console adds to the race-like feel of the vehicle.

The 20-inch wheels are low gloss granite crystal wheels. The front of the car is low to the ground, and it’s not just for looks. An SRT (street and racing technology) front splitter helps to prevent air from forcing its way under the car when traveling at high speeds, giving it better traction. However, if you’re traveling up a steep-angled driveway or over a speed bump, slow down or you’ll hear that scraping noise of steel meeting concrete — a dreaded sound for any car owner who let their buddy take it for a spin.

The Scat Pack name debuted in 1968. The “scat” refers to “get out of here” while the pack name came from Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack. Meanwhile, the Dodge Challenger name came about in a 1970 model. The name has come and gone since then in various models.

If you want a Challenger, act soon and buy the 2023 model. According to Dodge website, Challengers are being discontinued in 2023. Earlier this year, Dodge announced the first and only electric muscle car to begin production sometime in 2024. The Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack manufacturers say the Charger with its 670 horsepower engine will “retain its title as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car.” n