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2017 Challenger, Charger Hellcats recalled for catastrophic oil-line failure

If you own a Hellcat, either a Charger or Challenger, built between Feb. 6, 2017, and May 30, 2017, you may want to consider parking it for a while. The reason for this is NHTSA officially acknowledged a recall from Chrysler for engine oil cooler lines that could fail, leading to major oil loss. Which of course could lead to severe engine damage. According to the recall information, the issue lies in the rubber used in the oil cooler line. Chrysler's testing revealed that the rubber didn't meet the company's criteria. As a result it was able to separate from a crimped aluminum portion of the line, letting oil spill out. The recall goes into effect on Sept. 22, which is when Chrysler will start reaching out to owners to alert them. The company will replace the oil cooler lines free of charge. Owners can call Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with any questions regarding the recall, which has the reference code "T48." Related Video:

NC dealer creates the convertible Challenger that Dodge won't build

Dodge still hasn't turned the Challenger into a convertible, and the odds of seeing a factory-built drop-top muscle car appear in showrooms are decreasing annually. Tired of waiting, a dealership in North Carolina teamed up with a Florida-based body shop to create a topless alternative to the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. It's the real thing, and it's for sale. Keffer Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and Jeep shipped three 2019 Challengers to a shop named Convertible Builders, according to Motor Authority. After losing their lid, they gained a cloth soft top that opens and closes at the push of a button. There's no word on what effect the conversion has on handling, or what Convertible Builders did to offset the loss of structural rigidity. The build didn't include mechanical modifications. Two of the convertibles are R/T Scat Pack models equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that serves 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. It's not a supercharged Hellcat V8, but it's potent enough to spin the rear wheels in third gear. The third, R/T-based model features a 375-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8. While our dream build would use a six-speed manual transmission, all three come with an eight-speed automatic that sends the engine's power to the rear wheels. Keffer's website lists the gray, white, and red cars at $64,000, $60,000, and $56,300, respectively. The regular R/T Scat Pack Widebody model starts at $46,245, and the eight-speed automatic adds another $1,595, so the convertible conversion adds about $16,000. It's your only option, unless you're brave enough to chop the top yourself, or patient enough to wait until the early 2020s. Dodge has already started developing the next-generation Challenger, so the current car is unlikely to spawn a convertible before it retires. Its replacement due out in 2021 or 2022 will allegedly ride on a wider, longer evolution of the Giorgio platform found under the Alfa Romeo Giulia, among other models, and unverified rumors claim it's being designed with a topless variant in mind from the get-go. It might resurrect the Barracuda nameplate originally assigned to Plymouth when it makes its debut. Auto News Dodge Convertible Performance

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is getting a meaner hood

Though we weren't really worried Dodge would discontinue it, we're glad to hear the Dodge Challenger Hellcat will continue into the 2019 model year. It's also getting some updates for the new year, as shown in these teasers from Dodge. The biggest one we can see is the hood, which trades the relatively subtle center scoop and dual heat extractors for a pair of big angry nostrils. Dodge says the twin hood scoops are a throwback to past Dodge performance models, take the Dart Swinger, for example. They also bring to mind some mid- to late-2000s Pontiacs, but we'll try to focus on the classic Mopars. A little bit of Photoshop work helps highlight some other aspects of the 2019 Challenger Hellcat. The Hellcat Widebody will clearly continue for the new year, too, as the vehicle in the teaser image has the bulging arches found on that Challenger as well as the one-year-only Demon. We can also make out five-spoke wheels that may have split spokes. Most of the body looks like the current model, too, so we don't expect any major changes to the chassis or powertrain. The only other information Dodge revealed about the 2019 Challenger is that more information will come this summer. So expect to hear more in just a few months. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Image Credit: Dodge Dodge Coupe Performance dodge challenger srt hellcat