Best Muscle Cars
2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Test
By Dave Ashton
There’s no better way to put a vehicle through its paces than with a road and track test. In this test performed by racer.com, it’s the turn of the 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack in wide-body format. The wide-body version isn’t just, well….wider, the extra width allows for wider tires which are better suited for the power handling and definitely gives the car a more muscular look.
The wide-body version has 20×11-inch Devil’s Rim aluminum wheels with the option of 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P Zero summer tires. Seemingly ideal for the conditions of the test.
Under the hood of the widebody sits a 392 Hemi V8 with 485hp and 475 pounds-feet of torque, going through an eight speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Everything is stock on the car as it comes from the factory. The first bit of the test is a road trip. Then onto an autocross at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Picking out the salient points from both parts of the test, firstly on the road, revs were always low and with so much power on tap everything cruised along nicely with the only downside being the fuel economy at 21mpg. (The Mustang and Camaro produce better mpg, but you’re not really buying a muscle car with fuel economy at the top of your list.)
Adaptive damping suspension makes a comfortable ride on long journeys and has plenty of creature comforts within. The seats in comparison are more comfortable than in 2019 Mustang. In essence, the R/T Scat Pack Widebody can serve as a daily driver for long road trips as long as you’re okay with fuel economy.
Next up is the autocross. An entry into the Classic American Muscle category of SCCA autocross where the only rules are to use 200 treadwear street tires. The widebody was up against nine other muscle car entries in the lineup which included, ‘heavily modified Camaros and Mustangs, including a 1986 Saleen Mustang and a brand-new 2019 Mustang Bullitt.’ As the wide-body is in stock condition, this should be a great test for not just power, but handling and credibility against modified vehicles.
Autocross means a different set up from road use, so the wide-body suspension was put in Track mode, with stability and traction control turned off. There’s a hint of understeer in general use and slight oversteer when the power is laid down. One main takeaway for the masses is that the wide body was ‘surprisingly agile’ with its 4,241 lb weight, testified by its third-place. Predicted with a proper alignment setup and autocross-specific tires the wide-body could have possibly won.
The takeaway from the test was that the Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody ‘far exceeded our expectations,’ the only real downside being the fuel economy, but that’s really to be expected. The test vehicle price comes in at $50,915, but this includes a bunch of added options. The R/T Scat Pack 2019 starts at around $38,995.
Add in the wide-body option ($6,000) which includes front Brembo brakes, the adaptive suspension, wider wheels and tires and a few creature comforts options like the technology packages and leather interior and the price soon bumps up. However, if you don’t mind leaving out the fancy option packages, you’re still getting a lot for your money.
Standard on all a Challenger R/T Scat Pack –
Launch Control
Launch Assist
Line Lock
SRT Drive Modes
SRT Performance Pages
Widebody Package (AYL) – 20?X11? Devil’s Rim Aluminum Wheels (WSC), 305/35ZR20 (107Y) All-Season Performance Tires (TYS), Adaptive Damping Suspension (SMC), Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc 6-Piston Brakes (BR7), Performance Shift Indicator (LA7), Pirelli Brand Tires (TZP), Widebody Competition Suspension (SDN) and Widebody Fender Flares (MML).
Test vehicle color: Yellow Jacket Clear Coat (PY4) – N/C N/A with Black Ruby Red Seats (N/A w/ AAB or AAY)
Base MSRP for 2019 – $38,995
With the 8-speed automatic is $40,590 (Tremec 6-speed manual has $1,030 Gas Guzzler Tax)
Destination charge: $1,395
Automatic transmission: $1,595
Source: racer.com
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