The New Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Is Here

Each American manufacturer sells cars that can be used to drag race professionally; Ford sells the Cobra Jet and Chevrolet can build you a COPO Camaro.

Dodge has been a very serious competitor in NHRA races since the beginning, and the new Challenger Drag Pak is the latest to join its illustrious lineup. It’s essentially a Challenger that has been lightened as much as possible by removing the interior and sound deadening. Everything that isn’t used to go fast in a straight line was thrown out the door, like the instruments, plastic panelling and rustproofing.

Two engines are available: a naturally-aspirated 426 cubic inch V8 (7 litres if you convert it to metric, but is sounds less cool that way!) and a supercharged 354 cubic inch mill (5.8 litres). Dodge wants to keep their exact specs under wrap, but confirmed that their Challenger could run 8 seconds in the quarter mile (as a comparison, the Challenger Hellcat –which is road-legal, however– crosses the finish line in 11 seconds).

The Challenger now sports a solid axle, which helps traction.

If you want to get your hands on this Challenger, be prepared to give up $99,426 USD for the 426-powered car, and $109,354 USD for the 354-powered version… What a coincidence, right?