The reign of Dodge's Challenger and Charger muscle cars is coming to an end with the final 2023 model year. The automaker wants to send the duo off with an appropriately loud bang and will be releasing seven special-edition models over the next 14 months. And to make sure its customers get a fair shot at nabbing one of the last Challengers or Chargers, Dodge is releasing allocation details for the entire model year in one go and launching a new "2023 Dodge Horsepower Locator" website to put interested buyers in contact with dealers.
The rollout of the seven special-edition models will include the Challenger Shakedown, Charger Super Bee and Swinger special editions for both body styles. Around 1,000 examples of each will be built from Scat Pack and Scat Pack Widebody trims. Around 300 Challenger Black Ghost and 300 Go Mango orange Charger King Daytona models will follow, both in Hellcat Redeye Widebody spec. We expect to learn more about each of these during next week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Finally, a seventh special edition will be announced post-SEMA that is said to be so extreme that Dodge is having trouble keeping engines from blowing. I suppose that's a good thing? It's certainly intriguing.
Additionally, every 2023 SRT Hellcat sold will be available with Dodge's Jailbreak upgrade, bumping output to around 807 horsepower. Every 2023 Challenger and Charger will also feature a "Last Call" commemorative plaque, highlighting its design and assembly roots. R/T models will revive the 345 fender badge calling attention to its engine's 345 cubic-inch displacement. The automaker will also bring the heritage colors Plum Crazy, Sublime, Destroyer Gray and B5 Blue back the the options list for 2023 models.
Dodge Challenger, Charger Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak models: Endless options
See all photosTo make sure that every prospective member of Dodge's Brotherhood of Muscle has a fair shake at getting one of the last Challengers or Chargers built by the brand, the automaker is releasing its entire 2023 model year dealer allocation in one go. The seven special editions will be split among its 500 best-performing dealers, with the rest of the 2023 stock being spread across its dealer network.
Users will be able to find the Dodge of their dreams on a new 2023 Dodge Horsepower Locator website that the automaker is launching. After inputting their ZIP code and the exact model and trim they're looking for, users will be shown nearby dealers that have been allocated that spec. If there's nothing nearby, folks will be able to expand their search nationwide. The site itself will not allow people to place deposits or orders -- it's simply there to put buyers in contact with dealers.
Dodge says that it hopes this will prevent buyers from being left with hanging deposits once the final run comes to an end. If a dealer is only getting, say, one Black Ghost or King Daytona, it shouldn't take 10 deposits and end up with nine angry customers a year from now. That said, the system doesn't appear to do anything to combat dealer markup for these now very limited editions.
Oct 17, 2022 at 8:07pm ET
The days of the supercharged Hellcat V8 are numbered, but don't tell that to Hennessey. Amid Dodge's recent unveiling of special Last Call models comes this monster from the Texas tuning shop. It's called – deep breath – The Hennessey HPE1000 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak. And by the time you read that, it will either be going over 100 mph or atomizing copious amounts of rubber. Or both.
You know the drill at Hennessey. Take fast cars, add more power, and make them faster. In this instance, Hennessey starts with the already capable Challenger Widebody Jailbreak prepackaged with 807 horsepower. The supercharger is massaged, pulleys are swapped, new headers and exhaust are bolted up, there's a new intake, new fuel injectors, and an engine tune to make it all work together. The end result is 1,000 horsepower, 948 pound-feet of torque, and a V8 soundtrack that sounds downright evil.
More Madness From Hennessey:
The HPE1000 isn't new to Hennessey's lineup, but this is the first time we've seen it applied to the Jailbreak. Launched near the end of 2021, the Jailbreak introduced a bevy of color combos and other customizations not available on other Challenger models. It also bumped the Hellcat V8 to 807 hp, giving it the slightest of advantages over a standard Hellcat Redeye. With 1,000 hp, Hennessey has obviously taken that to the next level while offering some peace-of-mind with a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty on the package.
Of course, Dodge is preparing to send the current-generation Challenger and its Hemi V8 into the sunset. The Detroit automaker announced seven Last Call models in August – special-edition Challengers and Chargers largely based on the naturally aspirated Scat Pack trim with 485 hp. Numbers five and six, however, stepped up to Redeye Widebody territory with the 807-hp Hellcat Hemi.
Gallery: 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost
As for number seven, that's still a mystery. It was supposed to debut at the 2022 SEMA Show but it's been postponed. Rumors say it will be a version tuned to develop over 900 hp, making it the most powerful factory-built Dodge Challenger of them all, Demon or otherwise.
Source: Hennessey Performance via YouTube