Dodge Challenger Scat Pack

Challenger Scat Pack at a glance

Why Dodge created the Scat Pack

When Dodge facelifted the Challenger for 2015, the 6.4-litre engine of the old SRT8 moved down into a new R/T Scat Pack, and the SRT 392 above it kept the same engine with more equipment and a higher price. Dodge's July 2014 price list shows the gap: US$38,495 for the R/T Scat Pack with the manual against US$45,995 for the SRT 392, both before destination. The engine figures were identical, 362 kW (485 hp) and 644 Nm (475 lb-ft).

The name goes back to the "Scat Pack" banner Dodge used for its performance models in 1968. In 2015 it marked a price point: less than the US$41,230 base price of a 2010 SRT8, for 45 kW more.

The 2015 facelift also brought the eight-speed automatic. Dodge said it improved economy by up to 8 per cent and let the Scat Pack avoid the gas-guzzler tax; the automatic cost US$400 more than the manual in 2015.

Widebody, 1320 and Shaker versions

For 2019 Dodge split the Scat Pack into several variants. All got a power-bulge aluminium bonnet with a central air intake and two extractors.

The Widebody added 89 mm (3.5 in) of width and, according to Dodge, cut almost 2 seconds per lap on a road course compared with the narrow car. The 1320 was a cheaper road-going relative of the Challenger SRT Demon: it came with only a driver's seat, the passenger and rear seats were US$1 options, and deleting them saved 52 kg (114 lb). Hagerty notes that the 1320, unlike the Demon, had no production cap. Wikipedia records that the NHRA set a minimum weight of 1,542 kg (3,400 lb) for it in racing classes.

For 2021 the Shaker and the T/A 392 also became available with the Widebody body, and the manual gearbox stayed on the option list for the R/T Scat Pack.

Last Call and the end of production

Stellantis announced in November 2021 that 2023 would be the last model year for the Hemi Challenger and Charger. Every 2023 car carried a brushed-aluminium "Last Call" plaque under the bonnet with the words "Designed in Auburn Hills" and "Assembled in Brampton".

Two of the Challenger Last Call specials were based on the Scat Pack. The Challenger Shakedown cost US$63,590, or US$67,490 as a Widebody. The Scat Pack Swinger, US$66,190 as a Widebody, was limited to 1,000 cars with Gold School wheels, a painted Shaker intake and black six-piston Brembos. The regular 2023 R/T Scat Pack listed at US$45,845 before US$1,595 destination. Production ended on 22 December 2023, and the plant was retooled for the next Jeep Compass.

Fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA figures for the 6.4-litre Challenger did not change much during the Scat Pack years. The 2019 ratings are typical:

IIHS tested a 2016 Challenger R/T and applied the results to 2015-2023 cars: Good in the moderate overlap and side tests, Acceptable for roof strength and head restraints, and Marginal in the driver-side small overlap test. Wikipedia lists five NHTSA stars overall for the 2019 Challenger. The Scat Pack shares that structure, so a buyer gets an older body with a weak small-overlap result.