Dodge & Ram Get Beauty Makeover for 2019 Model Year

Challenger/Challenger SRT

Like the 2019 Charger, the 2019 Challenger lineup also gets new models. The range is now made up of the Challenger SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye. Triple Nickel joins the list of available colors. Inside, all Challengers come equipped with standard Dark Dub Plate instrument panel and console bezel trim.

SXT and SXT AWD models are available with a Caramel Nappa leather interior. Their GT and R/T siblings (with the Plus Package) can be decked out with 20-inch Satin Carbon wheels.

Engineers outfitted the Challenger GT RWD with a performance hood, front splitter, upgraded seats, and Super Track Pak goodies. For improved dynamics and reduced understeer, there’s an optional Performance Handling Group with four-piston Brembos at all four corners, wider 20×9 inch Black Noise wheels, and a beefed-up rear sway bar.

The Challenger R/T gets its share of enhancements, too. It comes standard with Super Track Pak upgrades, which include a performance suspension, sharper steering, 20-inch Granite Crystal wheels, and (for R/Ts with the eight-speed auto) paddle shifters. The optional Performance Handling Group adds upgraded springs, sway bars, Bilstein shocks, bushings, and mounts. Taking things up another notch, the Performance Plus Package contains 20×9.5 inch forged wheels wrapped in 275/40ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero rubber, limited-slip differential, and improved handling balance for better performance in turns. An optional Rear Seat Delete Group lightens the R/T (and R/T Scat Pack) by throwing out the rear seats and belts, and replacing them with just a cargo net.

Designers facelifted the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack, giving it a vented power-bulge hood, Air Catcher headlamps (from the SRT Hellcat), and Scat Pack Bee badges. Those logos are also on the front seats. The steering wheel, shifter, and other parts of the interior are trimmed with Liquid Titanium accents. The R/T Scat Pack’s center screen can now access standard SRT Drive Modes and SRT Performance Pages.

New for 2019, the R/T Scat Pack Widebody sports the same fender flares as the SRT Hellcat Widebody. Those widen the R/T Scat Pack Widebody by 3.5 inches. That increased width provides room for 20×11 inch forged “Devil’s Rim” wheels and 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires. Thanks to those improvements, its larger six-piston Brembo front brakes, and upgraded suspension, the R/T Scat Pack Widebody can lap a 2.1-mile road course two seconds faster than its narrower sibling.

Both the R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat come standard with line lock, Launch Assist, and a better version of Launch Control which has a new 10-second hold time for better launches and consistent straight-line acceleration. A wider and longer Satin Black spoiler is optional on both types of Challenger.

Taking a visual cue from the 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger and the 1971 Dodge Demon, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat wears a functional dual-snorkel hood. The supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi underneath is equipped with a standard After-Run Chiller and now generates 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque.

The biggest Challenger-related news for 2019 is the debut of the 797-horsepower SRT Hellcat Redeye. We had the privilege of driving it on a track; click here to read our write-up of the experience.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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