The newest Mopar vehicle is also the most powerful Mopar vehicle.
The newest Mopar-branded vehicle debuted this past weekend at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show and while the Mopar 17 Dodge Challenger follows the same basic design process as the past Mopar vehicles – the Mopar 17 is the first to be powered by the 392 Hemi. In other words, the Mopar 17 Challenger packs more power than any Mopar vehicle before it, including either of the Mopar Challengers from 2010 or 2014.
Since 2010, the Mopar division has introduced a unique customization package for one vehicle in the company lineup. This started in 2010 with the Mopar 10 Challenger, followed by the Mopar 11 Charger, the Mopar 12 Chrysler 300, the Mopar 13 Dart, the Mopar 14 Challenger Shaker, the Mopar 15 Charger and the Mopar 16 Ram Rebel. With the exception of the Mopar 14 Challenger (which was offered in white or black), all of the Mopar vehicles have been black with blue stripes on the outside with black customized interiors and a few minor performance modifications.
The Mopar 17 Challenger is a great deal like the previous Mopar vehicles, but to celebrate Mopar’s 80th birthday in 2017, this Moparized Dodge muscle car has two unique paint schemes. Buyers will be able to pick Billet Silver or Contusion Blue with a gloss black hood, roof and trunk lid, so the familiar look of the black Mopar car with the body length blue stripe is gone – but the result is an even sexier looking Challenger with a unique two-tone paint job with a distinct 392 decal on each front fender.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger, Pitch Black/Contusion Blue version.
In addition to the unique paint scheme, the Mopar 17 Challenger is based on the 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker trimline, so it comes with the Shaker hood scoop system and the 20 inch Scat Pack wheels with a machined face and black painted pockets. The exterior upfitting is finished off with the Hellcat exhaust tips and the Hellcat Air Catcher headlight system, along with unique Mopar badges on the rear spoiler.
On the inside, the Mopar 17 Challenger has unique suede and leather seats with the Mopar logo embroidered into the seatbacks and a dash plaque with the serial number of each vehicle out of 80 (there will be 80 in Contusion Blue and 80 in Biller Silver produced). There is also an owner’s kit with some information on the car including a birth certificate with the vehicle build date and some Mopar branded goodies included with each Mopar 17.
Finally, the Mopar 17 Challenger adds a Mopar cold air intake kit and a Mopar sway bar package, but the big news with this Moparized muscle car is the standard engine. All of the previous Mopar vehicles aside from the Dart were powered by the 5.7L Hemi. The Mopar 17 is powered by the 392 cubic inch Hemi V8, delivering 485 horsepower and 475lb-ft of torque, making it significantly more powerful than the past V8-powered Mopar-branded vehicles.
The Mopar 17 Challenger will be limited to just 160 total units so they could be hard to find and if you do find one – they won’t be cheap. The Mopar 17 starts at $55,790 with destination, making it the second most expensive trimline, trailing only the SRT Hellcat. Price aside, the Mopar 17 Challenger looks awesome and with that extra power, this is a package which will almost certainly sell out in a hurry.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger joins an exclusive club as the eighth limited-edition, Mopar-modified vehicle delivered straight from the factory.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger joins an exclusive club as the eighth limited-edition, Mopar-modified vehicle delivered straight from the factory.
The rear decklid spoiler of the Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger receives the Pitch Black treatment, and the Mopar Design badge on the spoiler is turned black-on-black. Standard chrome exhaust tips are replaced with Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat black exhaust tips.
The rear decklid spoiler of the Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger receives the Pitch Black treatment, and the Mopar Design badge on the spoiler is turned black-on-black. Standard chrome exhaust tips are replaced with Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat black exhaust tips.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger offers a pair of hand-painted, custom show car trim options.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger offers a pair of hand-painted, custom show car trim options.
The Mopar brand continues the celebration of its 80th anniversary with the introduction of the limited-edition Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger. Only 80 models will be available in Pitch Black/Contusion Blue, with another 80 in Pitch Black/Billet Silver.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger is delivered with exclusive features including a special Mopar ‘17 Owner’s Kit, packaged in a custom Mopar box with content including a “birth certificate” with vehicle specifications, date of manufacture and proprietary vehicle number, a special Mopar ’17 booklet, a Mopar 80th anniversary badge and much more.
The Shaker Hood package by Mopar provides performance gains with a hint of vintage styling.
A special Mopar 392 logo is hand-painted on at the Mopar Custom Shop, giving the Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger an additional custom touch.
The rear decklid spoiler receives the Pitch Black treatment, and the Mopar Design badge on the spoiler is turned black-on-black.
A special serialized Mopar ‘17 80th Anniversary badge is included under the hood, announcing 1-80 of the Contusion Blue version and 1-80 of the Billet Silver option.
The Mopar cold air intake of the Mopar ’17 delivers a performance boost and is aided by an air catcher duct system via the headlamp. The upgrade, inspired by the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, feeds additional cold air into the vehicle.
The standard satin black of the Shaker Hood package by Mopar and Shaker Hood scoop surround is painted Pitch Black, contributing to the unified upper exterior appearance of the Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger.
Heading inside, performance seats customized with Tungsten Mopar logos embroidered on the seatbacks dress up the Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger, Pitch Black/Billet Silver version.
The Mopar ’17 Dodge Challenger, Pitch Black/Contusion Blue version.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
