The muscle cars as we know of will be no more from 2023, as Dodge is wrapping up the production of its Charger and Challenger models by next year. The future is electric and Dodge has also taken a bold step in making all-electric muscle cars. And the American automaker gave us a hint of its electric muscle with the Charger Daytona SRT Concept.
Dodge is sending off its V8-powered icons with love and style by making seven "Last Call" Special Edition Models, and the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown is the first of it. This limited-run special model will be based on the Challenger R/T Scat Pack and its Widebody counterpart. And the mods will be strictly aesthetic.
Most of the unique visual bits can be traced to a cool SEMA build that got a lot of attention, in 2016, based on a 1971 Dodge Challenger. The interior of the 2023 Challenger Shakedown also gets unique visual bits that sync well with the exterior layout. As for the performance figures, it remains unchanged and packs the good-old V8 motor that we are accustomed to in Dodges over the past few years.
Pricing hasn't been disclosed but given the exclusivity and the emotional quotient that the Shakedown Challengers carry, expect a serious bump over the standard 2023 models. Interesting after the gas-powered Chargers and Challengers are long gone, it is the new 2023 Dodge Hornet compact SUV that will be taken over the baton for "performance" with its inline engines *sad heavy sighs*.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown Is The First Of Seven 'Last Call' Special-edition Models.
Based On The 2016 Shakedown Challenger Concept
The 2023 Challenger Shakedown might give hardcore Dodge fans, Déjà vu. That's because it is based on a cool concept car showcased at the 2016 SEMA show - the Shakedown Challenger Concept. All the visual mods are a direct take from the 2016 Concept. The SEMA build was a head-turner as it used the body of a 1971 Challenger.
Dodge built a custom chassis so that the body could fit on it. It was powered by a then-new 6.4-Liter V8 HEMI motor and a six-speed manual gearbox. The black, and gloss red combination looked rad back then, and it still looks cool today on the 2023 Challenger Shakedown model. It is interesting to see that even the wheel design has been inspired by the 2016 build.
Cool "Shakedown" Features On This "Last Call" Challenger
Unlike the heavily modified 2016 SEMA build, the 2023 Challenger Shakedown is purely aesthetic. There are numerous cool bits inside-out that follow a tried-and-tested theme of sinister black-and-red appeal. On the exterior, this limited-run Challenger flaunts the cool Mopar Shaker hood which is underpinned by the Mopar Shaker intake system.
The car is painted either in a shade of black or grey and gets a distinctive Shakedown stripe with red accents. These stripes bend their way around the Shaker hood and are slightly offset. It even gets a "Shaker" underhood decal.
Other exterior visual bits include Red "392 Mopar" fender decals, a black "Challenger" grille badge, and a cool R/T grille badge. Elevating the visual appeal are cool 20/9.5-inch gloss black Slingshot wheels (and 20/11-inch Black Warp Speed wheels on the Widebody modes). These wheels are backdropped by red six-piston Brembo calipers.
The 2023 Challenger Shakedown interior also gets the same black-and-red theme customization. The layout and technology features are taken right off the Challenger R/T trim and flaunt black Nappa/ Alcantara seats with contrasting red stitching, Demonic Red seatbelts, and a cool "Shakedown" instrument cluster badge. The dashboard and door trimmings are all finished in black with red interior accent stitching. The sinister appeal is through the roof here, and we dig it.
2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown Engine And Performance
There are no mechanical tweaks whatsoever on the 2023 Challenger Shakedown models. The muscle of choice here is the very popular 392 (6.4-Liter) HEMI V8 motor that churns out 485 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels as standard (AWD is optional).
The engine is coupled to a TREMEC six-speed manual gearbox, but we hope Dodge adds the optional TorqueFlite eight-speed as standard on the Shakedown models; as they are that much better and slicker. The 392 HEMI-equipped Challengers do 0-60 mph in a swift 4.2 seconds.
Only 1000 Dodge Challenger Shakedown Models To Be Made
A total of 1000 units of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown will be made - 500 units based on the Challenger R/T Scat Pack in the Destroyer Grey shade and the other 500 units based on the R/T Scat Pack Widebody flaunting the Pitch Black color. We personally dig the black shade, as it highlights the curved red strip which looks rad when coupled to those blood-red Brembo calipers.
2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown: Pricing And Availability
Dodge hasn't revealed on the pricing of the Challenger Shakedown models but given the exclusive angle, we expect it to carry a hefty premium over the standard models. For reference, the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack starts with an MSRP of $46,150, and the R/T Scat Pack Widebody starts from $52,445. Expect the 2023 Challenger Shakedown models to hover near the $60,000 mark. More details about the dealership allotments and availability will be announced this fall.
Sources: Stellantis North America, Dodge