(Photos: FCA North America) If you want to see a new Jeep, you go to the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. If you want to see a new Chrysler, you go to…well, at this point, YouTube for a look back in time. And if you want to see a new Dodge, especially a performance model, you go to the Woodward Dream Cruise. And this year is no exception, because that’s where FCA has chosen to unveil the two latest packages for the Dodge Charger and Challenger: the Charger Daytona and the Challenger T/A.
Both the Daytona and the T/A come in two flavors: 5.7L and 392ci. All versions get the SRT Appearance packages and a Mopar Performance cold-air kit standard. 5.7L cars get a 2.75 inch, electronically controlled active exhaust system, which should be immediately set on “loud” and left alone. The 5.7L cars get 20 x 9 wheels, while the 392 cars get 20 x 9.5 rolling stock lifted from the Hellcat models. The Challenger T/A gets not only the functional cold-air hood (with a modified Hellcat air box), but it also gets the vented headlight system, this time on both marker lights instead of just the driver’s side. 5.7L cars get upgraded brake pads, while the 392ci cars get the six-piston front, four-piston rear Brembo brakes that can not only stop the car, but strain your vision while coming to a halt. Performance steering wheels and upgraded seats are available, as are two new High Impact Colors: Green Go and a revised Yellow Jacket.
The Challenger T/A was teased with a concept at the 2014 SEMA show and when they said “concept only”, there was a lot of disappointment. Glad to see that someone within FCA had a change of heart. With hood pins and stripes, plus the classic “Challenger T/A” script on the ducktail spoiler, the T/A nails the look just fine, especially if you are a fan of Sam Posey’s #77 Trans Am racer. But to be honest, we think that FCA might have missed an opportunity to really put the T/A name to good use. Everybody’s favorite gripe against the Challenger is weight, and the Challenger T/A was meant to be a stripped-down, light racer. We dig the retro looks, but with all of the fluff that comes with a standard R/T or Scat Pack car, there is no “lightweight” about it.
Charger has used the “Daytona” trim a couple of times since it’s 2006 introduction, and it’s always been the bright and brash car compared to the sea of silver, black and dark blue Chargers we tend to see more often than not. Granted, they might be a dressed-up R/T or SRT 392, but this isn’t the car for a wallflower. While the Yellow Jacket color will have fans and is certainly bright enough to be considered a High Impact Color, the TorRed Daytona really has our attention…nice and aggressive. Then again, any four-door sedan that doesn’t look or sound like it belongs in the rental fleet at Enterprise is always going to have our attention. At least they are sticking with mild ducktail spoilers out back…we still have nightmares about the pseudo-“Aero Wing” they put on the Dodge Ram Daytona.
Hint, kids, this is your sign…
The 2nd coming of the v8 hp wars is going to be slammed shut real soon..
You\’ve been warned..