Why You Should Buy The 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody
It’s official, Dodge is canceling the Challenger. Are you eyeballing one of the last internal combustion muscle cars? During one of this muscle car’s last model years, the 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody will offer super performance at a regular price.
The 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack is defined by its 392 cubic inch HEMI V8
Scat Pack is a storied Dodge muscle car trim level. Beginning in 1968, the Dodge Scat Pack was a family of the fastest sports cars from several model lines. Entry to the Scat Pack was simple, all its members could all run the quarter-mile in 14 seconds.
The name Scat Pack was a play on Frank Sinatra’s 1960s crew, the “Rat Pack.” All Scat Pack cars were recognizable because of a “bumblebee” stripe across the trunk deck and rear quarters. Inside this stripe was a cartoon bumblebee logo.
Today, many Dodge cars can run a 14-second quarter mile. The base-model, “Pentastar” V6 equipped Challenger is actually rated for a 14.8-second quarter mile. The Challenger R/T with Dodge’s 5.7-Liter HEMI engine is even faster. MotorTrend tested a well-equipped Challenger R/T and found it had a 13.6-second quarter-mile time. Nowadays, the Scat Pack trim level now designates Challengers equipped with the largest HEMI, the 6.4-Liter V8.
Dodge’s 6.4L belongs to the HEMI engine’s third generation. Like previous HEMI engines, it is a 90-degree, pushrod V8. Traditional, hemispherical combustion chambers increase its output. Even its displacement, 392 cubic inches, echoes a legendary Dodge engine.
At the same time, the 6.4L leverages cutting-edge technology. An aluminum block reduces its weight. Fuel injection, Variable Valve Timing, and a Multi-Displacement System increase its efficiency. Dodge first offered the 6.4L HEMI in the 2011 Challenger SRT8.
The 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack is available as a widebody
Since the 2011 Challenger SRT8, the engineers of Dodge’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) continued to innovate. They pioneered the manufacturer’s first factory supercharged car with the Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat editions. Then they followed these models up with the Challenger SRT Hellcat Demon and Super Stock.
The supercharged Hellcat motor makes an incredible 700+ horsepower. The SRT team found this was too much power for most tires. In 2017, it fitted factory fender flares to a Challenger Hellcat to build the first SRT Hellcat Widebody. The new, wider fenders allowed the team to upgrade suspension components and widen the tires from 9-inches wide to 11-inches wide.
This one tweak improved every aspect of the Challenger’s performance. Wider tires significantly increased the amount of rubber on the road. The new Widebody could accelerate much faster because it had better traction. It could also brake much quicker. In some situations, even its handling was improved by the wider tires.
The only problem with the Challenger Widebody feature was that it was only available on the $70K+ Hellcat. But over time, Dodge began to offer the Widebody kit on an increasing number of models.
The 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack is the cheapest Challenger available with the Widebody kit. Just like with the Hellcat, these wider tires improve the Challenger Scat Pack’s acceleration, braking, and handling. MotorTrend tested an early Challenger Scat Pack Widebody and the results are staggering. The stock muscle car ran the quarter mile in under 13 seconds.
The Widebody Challenger Scat Pack is surprisingly affordable
Many muscle car fans also think widebody kits give their cars a “haunchy” and more aggressive stance. Widebody muscle cars are sought after by collectors, and factory widebodies are even more valuable.
One of the most amazing things about the 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody is its price. The regular 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack will cost $43,565. The Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Widebody will cost $49,560. This makes the Widebody upgrade a $5,995 option. For a feature that improves every aspect of the Challenger’s looks, many would consider this a bargain.
Put another way, the Widebody Challenger Scat Pack costs less than a regular Scat Pack with a leather and carbon fiber interior upgrade, or the T/A stripe package and Shaker hood. For performance fans, the Widebody is an obvious upgrade.
The Challenger Scat Pack Widebody is the best-performing non-SRT Challenger. And for a limited time, Dodge is even offering 7% off the price of the outgoing 2021 Challenger Scat Pack.
