We’re big fans of the Dodge Challenger here at PH, its widebody Scat Pack variant in particular. And with 2020 marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic model’s entry into the muscle car arena, its maker has given us good reason to find it even more appealing still.
While all 2020 model-year Challengers are set to feature a commemorative 50th Anniversary badge, the limited-run ‘50th Anniversary Edition’ will take things slightly further. Its key feature is of course the body-coloured Shaker hood scoop which sits in contrast to a hand-painted Satin Black bonnet and is standard on all V8-powered R/T, R/T Scat Pack and R/T Scat Pack Widebody anniversary models.
This is the first time the iconic Shaker scoop has featured on a widebody Challenger model, making its presence on the range-topper significant. Once installed, it channels cooler air down into the 5.7- or 6.4-litre Hemi V8, improving performance and continuing the Dodge tradition of protruding intakes which shake with the movement of the powertrain. To that end it comes accompanied by a Mopar cold-air intake, conical air filter and optimized air box, as well as an under-bonnet “SHAKER” decal reminiscent of the original 1970 Challenger.
Inside, the 50th Anniversary Edition features Nappa leather and Alcantara trim with jen-you-wine carbon fibre accents, a new gauge cluster and a healthy dose of ‘50’ logos. Each car also comes equipped with a numbered badge identifying its position in the 70 car run. That’s 70 examples of each of the four derivatives - GT, R/T Shaker, R/T Scat Pack Shaker and R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody - per colour though, making for a total of 1,960 cars up for grabs once all seven colours - new shades Gold Rush, Frostbite, Hellraisin, Sinamon Stick and returning favourites TorRed, F8 Green and Go Mango - are accounted for.
Finally, each car will come equipped with unique 20-inch "Gold School" wheels. With the 50th Anniversary Edition costing a premium of $4,995 on the Challenger GT, rising to $5,995 for the full-fat R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody, it’s sure to be a tempting prospect when it arrives at US dealers in Spring next year.
Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars for FCA in North America, said of the anniversary: “2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Dodge Challenger, one of the most storied muscle cars in history. That history was built on a few key things: big attitude and big muscle, loud colors and loud exhausts, and an enthusiast community that is as unique and diverse as our special editions. So, to commemorate the 50th, we're celebrating with a cool new special edition that checks all of these boxes.”
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