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Dodge revives Challenger T/A and Charger Daytona trims for 2017

Dodge is reviving the Challenger's T/A trim and the Charger's Daytona line for 2017. Introduced on iconic Woodward Avenue just days before the annual Woodward Dream Cruise kicks off, the new variants promise more performance hardware and sportier aesthetics. We'll start with the two-door. The Challenger T/A, available with either the R/T trim's 5.7-liter V8 or the fire-breathing 6.4-liter Hemi V8, is inspired by the Challenger T/As of old. That means a less restrictive, 2.75-inch active exhaust system and a conical Mopar air filter. But there's no clear bump in output – Dodge still lists the base 5.7-liter at 375 horsepower and the 6.4-liter model at 485 hp. But hey, they're going to look cooler. Unlike the Challenger Hellcat, which should have it as standard, Dodge is including a Satin Black hood on every Challenger T/A. In fact, Satin Black is a recurring theme on this Challenger's front fascia, roof, rear decklid, and T/A bodyside stripes. And yes, the 20-inch Mopar wheels are black, too – they're also an inch wider than normal. Dodge is offering the T/A in three different trims. The base T/A has everything we described above, while the T/A Plus adds some comfort features like heated and vented Nappa leather seats, an 8.4-inch UConnect system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, and a shortcut button for the Dodge Performance Pages. The T/A 392, meanwhile, adds the 6.4-liter V8, even wider wheels, and Brembo six-pot calipers. If you prefer smoking tires with four doors, there's the new Charger Daytona. No, there's not an enormous wing on the back. But Dodge added the same kind of engine/exhaust upgrades found on the T/A while upping the top speed from 135 to 150 miles per hour. Satin Black features prominently again, with hood and rear fender graphics. The roof is also black. Unlike the Challenger, Dodge is only offering two different versions of the Daytona – the 5.7-liter base model and the 6.4-liter version, called the Daytona 392. Prices for the Challenger T/A start at $38,485, including a $1,095-destination charge, while the T/A Plus adds $2,750. Adding the 392 means shelling out $45,090. For the Daytona, you'll need a check for $40,985 for the 5.7-liter or $46,090 for the 6.4-liter. Orders for the Charger Daytona open in September, while the T/A is a month later. Related Video:

All hail the Hellephant, Mopar's 1,000-horsepower crate engine

It's shocking to say this, but the all-powerful Dodge Demon looks weak now that Mopar has unleashed the Hellephant. This crate motor makes 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque, and its name is a combination of the nickname for the old 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8 and, obviously, the Hellcat. This monster is a 426-cubic-inch version of the current third-generation Hemi V8 topped by a supercharger similar to what the Hellcat line packs. Everything is cranked up to — or perhaps, past — 11. The engine block is made of aluminum and weighs 100 pounds less than the equivalent iron block. All of the internals are forged. The stroke and bore have been increased. The supercharger produces 15 pounds of boost and displaces 3 liters; more than the 2.7-liter blower on the Demon and the 2.4-liter blower on the Hellcat. And as big and powerful as it is, it will still rev to 7,000 rpm. It's a thoroughly monstrous motor, but shockingly, it won't be that difficult to live with. For one thing, Mopar will offer a complete kit to get the engine up and running, including an engine computer, wiring harness and drive-by-wire throttle. It also runs on 93-octane pump gas. That's especially amazing considering the Demon engine "only" makes 840 horsepower, and that's on race gas with 100+ octane fuel. It also has us wondering what the Hellephant could make on racing fuel. The Mopar folks did say that there's room to add more power. Pricing wasn't announced for the Hellephant engine. The Hellcat crate engine retails at $19,350 directly from Mopar, so it's safe to assume that the Hellephant will go for more. The installation kit with the computer and harness will be an extra charge of likely over $2,000, based on the Hellcat kit. The engine and the kit will be available in the first quarter of 2019. Related Video: Featured Gallery Hellephant Crate Engine SEMA Show Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Performance dodge demon hellephant

Watch Atieva's electric van outrun a BMW i8 and Dodge Viper

A little while back, automotive startup Atieva drag raced its electric van, called Edna, against a Tesla Model S and a Ferrari California in order to compare its performance against known and revered mechanical athletes. Again, the Silicon Valley-based company is putting its prototype up against electrified and conventionally powered performance vehicles on the drag strip. Last time around, Edna, the Mercedes-Benz Vito van equipped with a 900-horsepower, all-wheel-drive powertrain, bested both of its foes. In that showcase, Edna was hitting 60 mph in a little over three seconds. Comparatively, BMW lists the i8's 0-60 time at 4.2 seconds, though Road & Track clocked it at 3.8 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds. The Viper does 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. Before you even watch the video above, you can imagine how it will end, as the retuned Atieva Edna rips 0-60 mph in 2.94 seconds. Atieva clocked the quarter mile at 11.3 seconds at 117 mph. It's worth noting that driver skill can have a lot to do with a car's straight-line performance. We've witnessed Viper's elapsing the quarter mile in well under 12 seconds, which means it should be quicker in this test than the i8, if not the Edna. Still, the performance showcased in the video is exceptional. To improve Edna's stats, Atieva says it has used testing data to fine tune its AC induction motors at higher speeds once it got low-speed performance locked in. After testing in the hot California sun, including the race you see above, Atieva drove Edna 90 miles home with range to spare. As for production plans, Atieva will put this powertrain into a sedan slated for sale in 2018. In the meantime, the company will keep testing and tuning its working prototype, and has even invited the public to put their cars up against Edna in future sessions. Related Video: Related Gallery 2015 BMW i8 in Petoskey, MI News Source: Atieva, YouTube: Atieva via Electrek Green Motorsports BMW Dodge Automakers Electric Future Vehicles Videos drag race atieva