Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody: A Closer Look

CAR FRONT

The Dodge Charger and its sister the Chrysler 300 are some of the few American brand 4-door sedans left to purchase today. After the 2023 model year, they will both be discontinued, and that includes the Dodge Challenger coupe. Since this is our last chance to have the experience, we ordered a version of the Charger that gives the best bang for the buck.

Text and photos by Chad Haire

ENGINE

There are four basic choices to place under the hood, starting with an economical 300-horsepower V-6. Secondly, a 5.7 liter V-8 Hemi at 370 hp is the more practical of the lot. Topping off the chain is a supercharged 6.2-liter "Hellcat" with 717 or 807 hp. We picked an in-between "Scat Pack" 6.4 liter (392 cubes) V-8. With 485 ponies, it has enough grunt to reach 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, but a price tag that doesn't break the bank.

PRICE SHEET

The V-6 Charger starts about $34K. Our 392 Scat Pack has a base tab of $47K, which is a bargain. But as always the options climb. We don't need many of the extras, but they sure look cool. That Wide Body pack gives us fender flares to fit the giant 305/35/20 performance summer tires on 11x20 wheels. Add a competition performance suspension with wide adjustments, Brembo six-piston brakes, and more. The $1.5K Hemi Orange pack doesn't make the cargo any quicker but adds plenty of eye candy that looks great. By that time you might as well order everything, and we did at a tidy $64,635. Yes, this is a lot of money, but less than the $90,060 for a Charger Widebody Hellcat we had last year. Did we really need its 800+ horsepower? No, but it was a blast to drive!

HOOD SCOOP

The hood scoop is not a fake. It really does allow air inside.

EMBLEM

The Scat Pack emblem lets people know this isn't a V-6 model.

EMBLEM #2

The Scat Pack emblem looks nice. The bi-function HID projector headlights are optional. The light output during night driving was very good, but nothing exceptional.

TIRES

The wide summer tires provide great cornering on a smooth track but bounce around on rough pavement. Still, the overall comfort is good for long highway trips. The brakes are incredible, and never fade when bringing this heavy tank to a halt.

LAUNCH CONTROL

If you are going to do 0-60 mph runs, this launch control program assists, allowing the car to accelerate off the line from 1,500 to 3,300 rpm.

DRIVE MODES

The transmission, traction, paddles, suspension, and steering have adjustments for street, sport, or track mode. The system works great and is well worth the extra cost.

FUEL

The 392 V-8 requires premium 91 octane fuel, or at least 89 to properly function. With this being the case, we would expect to see a sticker on the filler cap saying "91 octane only". There is nothing posted to indicate what fuel should be used, rather odd. But if you own a Scat Pack, now you know what to use.

TRUNK

We would think for $65K there would be a spare tire instead of a cheesy air pump kit. There isn't. Dodge says they do this to save weight, but at a massive vehicle weight of 4,300 pounds that battle was lost long ago on the Chargers. The spare is missing to save money. Anyone planning to take a long highway trip should get a spare tire. Walking or getting stranded when getting a flat is no fun.

POV

The Charger Scat Pack is a blast to drive. It's quick, and comfortable, and the sound of that exhaust hitting 6,000 rpm is great music.

MPG #1

The 392 is rated at 15/24 mpg. Cruising at 65-70 mph. we observed over 25. It can be done!

MPG #2

We put over 800 miles on the clock and averaged about 17 mpg overall. That was also the number we saw in mixed city/freeway commuting. This is certainly a big improvement over the 1970 426 Hemi that got 8/11 mpg!

REAR

After the 2023 model year, the Charger will be gone. And about 50 years from now, these will be at the car auctions, bringing crazy high prices to collectors like the older 1970 cars are. Don't do a "Wish I Had Bought One Back Then". Try buying one now!

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