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Mopar unveils Dodge Challenger Drag Pak [w/video]

Dodge is going drag racing, and it's doing it with an all-new version of the Challenger for NHRA's Sportsman class. FCA's Mopar parts and performance arm announced the new Challenger Drag Pak Friday, showing off a version with a 354-cubic-inch (that's a 5.8-liter, by the way), supercharged V8 and a 426-ci (7.0-liter), naturally aspirated V8 – both Hemis, of course – that can get the big coupes through the quarter-mile in "the eight-second range." While the two engines deliver similar performance, at their base, they're quite a bit different. The supercharged model uses a cast-iron block, while the 426 has aluminum for both the block and head. That said, both models get customized engine calibrations, and are mated to unique, race-spec automatic transmissions. But drag racing is about far more than just outright power. Mopar significantly updated the four-link rear suspension, adding a four-inch rear axle from Strange Engineering, along with an aluminum, nine-inch third member, while the rear-axle housing has been strengthened in general. Both the rear shocks and front struts can be adjusted for rebound and compression, too. Lightweight 15-inch wheels, meanwhile, are shod in super-sticky Hoosier drag radials, with nine inches of tread in back and 4.5 inches in front. The new Challenger Drag Pak should run the quarter-mile in "the eight-second range." In the cabin, there's an NHRA-spec roll cage, a Racepak gauge cluster, and a handsome pair of Sparco racing seats. Outside, supercharged models get blue decals, while naturally aspirated varieties get black stickers, although there's more to the new Challenger dragster's exterior than just its decals. Mopar tweaked the big-scoop hood, promising it's easier to get up to check on the engine, and the designers also added trailer tie-down straps in both the front and rear. While the dragster was the big news today, Mopar officials also announced the two enhanced Scat Pack kits for both the Dodge Charger and Challenger R/T. The 5.7-liter Hemi models gain an extra 56 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque in the Scat Pack 2 thanks to a new cam, valve springs, pushrods, and gaskets. The Scat Pack 3, meanwhile, adds 75 hp and 44 lb-ft, on top of the gains from the lower packages. That should be perfect for drivers who wish to snort in the face of their SRT 392-driving friends. The third stage adds a ported cylinder heads, as well as high-flow manifolds and catalysts.

2016 Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcats see doubled production

The launch of the Hellcat supercharged V8 in the Dodge Challenger and Charger for the 2015 model year was a massive success. The one-two punch of muscle cars probably grabbed the brand more headlines than it had seen in ages by offering a world-beating 707 horsepower from the growling engine under the hood. The only real wrench in the works was keeping up with all of the orders. For 2016, Dodge might have fixed that little problem with plans to make more than twice as many of these mean machines Despite production seeing a massive boost, a few customers with orders for 2015 examples will need to wait just a little longer to experience those 707 ponies. The automaker will cancel any unscheduled, sold orders for the current model, but those buyers will receive a discount on the 2016. Similar to last year, dealers will earn their allocation of the muscle cars based on Dodge sales and how long the Hellcats stay on their lots. There are some very tiny changes for any buyers who are holding out for the 2016 Hellcats, too. Mechanically, they are identical to the 2015s with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and eight-speed automatic. The interiors see some improvements, though. Both the Challenger and Charger now receive standard Laguna Leather upholstery and an improved 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, an HD radio, and five years of SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic. Orders for both open in the second week of August, and production actually begins in September in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Stellantis launching at least 25 EVs for America by 2030

Stellantis has announced a wide-ranging plan for the company through 2030 covering everything from product to financials. The product plans are what really caught our attention, particularly for the surprise reveal of the first electric Jeep, as well as new teasers of the electric Ram 1500. But the company also provided more broad details on what we'll be seeing in the future including both electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. All of the plans are in service of the Stellantis goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2038. On that way, it plans for all European vehicle sales and half of all American sales to be electric by 2030. It will launch 75 new electric vehicles by that year, and at least 25 of them will be coming to the U.S. The first of those electric cars will be the aforementioned Jeep in 2023, but many Stellantis models will follow close behind. The electric Ram ProMaster will launch in 2023 as well. In 2024, we'll see the electric Ram (and its plug-in hybrid counterpart), two more Jeeps (an off-road model and a family-oriented model) and the Dodge electric muscle car. We'll get a preview of the Dodge with a concept this year. Then in 2025, Chrysler will launch its electric car, likely based on the Airflow concept. Stellantis has previously announced Chrysler will be fully electric by 2028, and it further announced that Alfa Romeo and Maserati will be fully electric by 2030. Stellantis is also working on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, mainly for commercial use. For the U.S., it plans on offering a large, ProMaster-size hydrogen van in 2025. That year or a little later, it also has plans for a hydrogen heavy-duty pickup truck, presumably Ram 2500 and 3500. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares noted that among the benefits of hydrogen for large and commercial vehicles is being able to avoid compromising payload capacity, since hydrogen powertrains are lighter than giant batteries. Hydrogen filling times are quick relative to charging, too. The company will continue working on and offering advanced driver aids. This year it will offer hands-free cruise control like GM's Super Cruise and Ford's BlueCruise. In 2024, the company intends to introduce a system that is hands-free and won't require the driver to be watching it the entire time. The technology is being developed alongside BMW. These are, of course, broad plans, and they could change as time goes on. Expect more details as we get closer to individual product releases.