So you’ve decided you want a Dodge Challenger.
Maybe it’s your first Chally. Maybe it’s your tenth. Whether you’re brand new or an old hand at owning one of the world’s greatest muscle cars, you’re in for a treat. Because the Dodge Challenger not only defined the muscle car era’s golden age, but it’s defining it’s modern age as well.
With styling that hearkens back to those most classic years and performance that is unrivaled today, the Dodge Challenger is the car to own if you’re looking to add some speed, some performance, and some bone-rattling power into your life.
But what should you put under the hood in your new Chally? It’s a question every muscle car owner, perspective and veteran alike, wonders. Because nothing defines your pony car like the equipment under the hood.
So let’s discuss the power plant options you can choose from in a new Dodge Challenger.
The 392 Hemi V8
Let’s start with the legend. The 392 Hemi V8 is the modern iteration of the motor that helped define MOPAR, making the brand nothing short of legendary.
You’ll find this option in the R/T Scat Pack, where it creates 485-horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. Like we said, legendary.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8
While the 392 is today’s version of the old school Hemi, the 5.7-liter skews even closer to those blocks of yesteryear. Of course, there are plenty of modern upgrades but in a Challenger R/T is where you’ll find these badboys.
It’s capable of making 375 horses and thanks to Dodge’s innovative MDS technology, gets an impressive fuel rating that’ll have you wondering how you’re sitting behind a Hemi.
That is, until you floor it.
The Supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8
Slapping a supercharger on a Hemi?! Whodathunkit?!
The brilliant minds at MOPAR did, of course, when they began rolling the SRT Hellcat off the line a few years ago.
It delivers an insane 717-horsepower and an absolutely Earth-twisting 656 pound-feet of torque.
The Supercharged 6.2-liter High Output Hemi V8
Oh. 717 horses isn’t quite enough for you? Well, luckily Dodge recently announced their Supercharged 6.2-liter High Output Hemi V8, which can be found in the SRT Hellcat Redeye and the SRT Super Stock.
It creates 807-horsepower and an unbelievable 797 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production motor ever created.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6
Maybe all of that power isn’t what you’re after. Maybe you just want to drive a great-looking car with a legendary name that’ll offer more than its weight in good driving fun.
That’ll be the base model 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which is available in all Challenger SXT and GT packages.
But don’t be fooled by its comparatively small size when placed next to that lineup of Hemi V8s. The Pentastar makes a plenty-exciting 303-horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque.
After all, we’re still talking about a Dodge Challenger.
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