Drop Dodge Challenger R/T balances price, performance

I know there are more powerful models of the Dodge Challengers, ostensibly with more sex appeal. But I found the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack to be a well-balanced, fun car to drive.

It sounded great, even at idle, and let everyone know that this was a piece of Detroit Iron.

The name Scat Pack is taken from the performance stage kits of the same name available on 1968-71 Dodge Challengers. The design and attitude of this car comes almost directly from the 1971 Challenger. The modern car still shows the model’s split-grille and split taillamp cues.

There have been a few cosmetic changes to the model lineup. The biggest of which is that for 2017 there are two new trim levels — Dodge Challenger T/A and Challenger T/A 392 models. These models focus on more performance and heritage-inspired styling for both the 5.7- and 6.4-liter 392 HEMI versions.

This includes a satin black exterior graphics and appointments, including available hood pins on Challenger T/As. It also gets 20 x 9-in. and 20 x 9.5in. wheels with high-performance Goodyear and Pirelli tires.

And all across the model lineup active exhaust standard on all Challengers with a HEMI engine. There is also the option of the fourth-generation 8.4-inch Uconnect system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The SRT gets some cosmetic adjustments as well as lighter wheels for improved unsprung weight. The high-powered Hellcat gets some cosmetic changes as well. Signature Houndstooth cloth seats are now standard on Dodge Challenger SXT, R/T, R/T Shaker and R/T Scat Pack models.

But from a pure driving perspective the Scat Pack was a decently easy car to drive in traffic, to hammer in streetlight drag races and to enjoy a sweeping run through the twisties. While the more powerful models have their own appeals, the extra power requires your foot absolutely must do what the brain says, so the brain has to pay close attention.

I only had one problem. The test car I had was purple. Dodge has what they call “heritage” colors. The one on my car is called “Plum Crazy.” There are also seven different stripe which let buyers customize their ride with the work being done at the factory.

Let’s face it, I don’t fit the profile of people who should drive purple muscle cars, a fact that was laughingly pointed out by friends a few too many times. But my 16-year-old grandson and his buddies were in worshipful awe of the car.

Inside, the Challenger’s instrument panel also is old school, with strong musclecar overtones. There are Scat Pack embroidered images through the interior: on the sport seats, f loor mats and there’s also a special steering wheel.

Within that design are modern touches. For example, there’s a seven-in. customizable digital display spanning the driver’s bezel. At the same time the gauge cluster uses an analog 180-mph radial-numbered speedometer and tachometer which surround the digital display.

You also get the Dodge Performance Pages through the center display. These let drivers control a range of vehicle settings, including steering feel, transmission response, stability and traction controls, and standard launch control.

The Dodge Challenger is hard to ignore, and truly represents the great American muscle cars from the 1960s. The car really feels like one, and I had one back then. For the most part that’s a good thing, but from the 21st Century perspective the car is a bit long in the tooth. There should be a new generation of this car in the next couple of years, because it shares its mechanical architecture with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger.

The nicest thing about driving a car that celebrates another era is that it never feels outdated. In the case of the Challenger, the styling is one of Chrysler’s best and most classic designs. It doesn’t need to worry about aging, because it is timeless.

Fiat Chrysler’s engineers and designers for this car were clearly car folk who understood what they were creating, and worked to match the timeliness of the styling. That was helped by having a big V8 underneath as well as a decent transmission that could handle that massive amount of torque.

In Challenger’s Scat Pack trim the engine is a 6.4-liter HEMI. It develops 485 hp. and 475 lb.-ft. of peak torque. This is a delightful engine, with serious power and more serious sound. That’s thanks to an active electronically controlled exhaust creating a deliciously deep, throaty exhaust note.

Of at least as much importance is you can equip your car in a truly classic fashion with a six-speed manual transmission. Or you can opt for the TorqueFlite eight- speed automatic. So the powertrain is up to the task, and will remain so for years to come, even in a new generation.

The Brembo four-piston caliper front brakes are also big, strong and capable of hauling this car down from speed. Dodge says they’ve measured a braking distance of 60- 0 mph in 117-ft. Not only that, they add a cool look, peeking through the Scat Pack’s 20-in. by 9-in. aluminum wheels

The suspension is a fairly standard setup for this size of car, but is tuned to the sporty side. That makes it capable of matching the car’s power. The electric power steering is nicely tuned and gives you a bit of heft in the feedback, an almost analog feel, which I like.

On the racetrack this is a fun car to push around — more fun that the Hellcat, which is simply scary, because it can bite you so fast and so hard.

The SRT version is faster and more fun — but you pay a lot more for it. If you really like being out on the edge, it will certainly push the limits further, but most of us don’t spend much time at the edge of envelope.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack is a great compromise between price and performance. The six-speed manual version starts at $37,995, and if you want the automatic transmission that MSRP is only $39,395.

Once you buy one you may have to pay to get your teeth whitened, as you will be smiling a whole bunch more.

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