Originally released in 1970, 2020 marks the Challenger’s 50th year anniversary. To celebrate, Dodge has released a special edition, anniversary-themed Challenger. A mainstay of American muscle, the Challenger is big, loud, and honest.
Available anniversary models start with the GT, equipped with a 3.6 liter V6 engine. A step up to the R/T brings a 5.7 liter V8, followed by a 6.4 liter 392 V8 in the R/T Scat Pack and R/T Scat Pack Widebody models.
Today, we focus on the 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody 50th Anniversary Edition.
EXTERIOR
Even fifty years on, the modern Challenger’s silhouette resembles the original. This new model retains the familiar wide horizontal grille, the upper and lower portions filled with a crate-styled mesh, and the iconic pair of circular headlights. The inner headlamp on this 50th anniversary model has an LED halo and a hollowed-out air catcher, with an illuminated “50th Anniversary” logo inside. Between the headlights are an “R/T” (Road and Track) badge and a “Challenger 50” badge. The widebody fenders add 3.5 inches to the Challenger’s overall width and there’s a unique front bumper, which excludes the fog lights found on non-widebody models. A matte-black front lip splitter completes the front fascia, giving the Challenger a more aggressive profile.
Dodge offers an optional $500, fully-functional, shaker-style intake for the V8 models, complete with a “SHAKER” decal inside the hood opening. With the 50th Anniversary trim, the intake matches the body color, while the hood, roof, and rear deck are flat black. The Scat Pack adds a Dodge Bee badge to the fender, a special fuel door, and a satin black rear spoiler with a “Challenger 50” badge. All models have full LED rectangular taillights.
50th Anniversary models sport special edition “Gold School” wheels. These measure 20 x 9-inches on the V6 models and 20 x 9.5-inches for the 8 cylinders. Naturally, the Widebody’s wheels are huge, at 20 x 11-inches. Grip is provided by 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires on the front and back. Massive 6-pot Brembo calipers handle braking in the front, with 4-piston calipers for the rear. The calipers are painted Gunmetal Grey with the Anniversary package.
INTERIOR
American car interiors are often fairly unremarkable, with some feeling downright cheap. The 2020 Challenger certainly tries to avoid that trope. The interior is laid out well, complete with quality stitching, soft touch materials, and modern technology.
The center dash is dominated by an 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Despite a somewhat busy layout, the graphics are clear and the screen responsive. Dodge offers an upgraded version with navigation, a $795 option. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both included. The 50th Anniversary trim incorporates a few special touches to the interior. Carbon fiber accents decorate the display and other areas of the interior. The rest is covered in Alcantara and Nappa leather with tasteful, sepia-toned stitching. Leather and Alcantara also cover the seats, which get 50th anniversary badging, balance lateral support with comfort, and have ventilation and heating.
Audio and dual-zone climate controls are located below the touchscreen, along with traction and launch controls. Dodge included some thoughtful details, such as a dual-level glove compartment and 12V auxiliary and USB connections in the center armrest.
50th anniversary models get an instrument cluster that has unique white-faced gauges with yellow accents and displays the Anniversary logo on startup. A leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel offers a comfortable grip. The face of the wheel provides controls for media and cruise control, with additional stereo controls on the rear.
Compared to the Mustang and Camaro, the Challenger boasts the roomiest interior. Up front, headroom measures 39.3 inches, with 42 inches of legroom. Rear passengers have 37.1 inches of headroom and 33.1 inches of legroom.
The trunk can be opened using the key fob or pushing the button on the decklid. The Challenger has 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the seats can be folded down for more. There is no spare tire. Instead, Dodge gives owners a tire repair kit. The kit can be found under the floorboard along with tools, the battery, and a bit more storage space.
These Anniversary edition cars are quite rare, as Dodge is producing a limited run of this Challenger. To commemorate the 1970 original, 70 Challengers will be built for each of the 7 color options on models with the Anniversary package. Consequently, each car will come with a badge on the passenger side, denoting which of the 70 it is.
FEATURES
The Challenger featured in this review is equipped with several optional packages. The $1,295 Technology Group Package adds adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and forward collision warning. Next, we have the Driver Convenience Group Package at $1,295. This adds blind spot detection, HID headlights, rear parking assistance, power mirrors, remote start, and a universal garage door opener. The optional sunroof adds $1,295, and the automatic 8-speed transmission with remote start costs $1,595. Dodge offers a manual 6-speed transmission as standard.
The Widebody Package runs $6,000, including improved suspension, the Brembo brakes, enlarged stabilizer bars, and the 305 section-width Pirelli tires.
CONCLUSION
The R/T Scat Pack nails a sweet spot in the Challenger lineup. The 717-hp and 797-hp supercharged Hellcats are next to unusable on the street, and the V6 doesn’t quite stir the soul. With the Scat Pack trim, the R/T Challenger comes equipped with Dodge’s naturally-aspirated 6.4 liter 392 V8. The engine makes a healthy 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. That kind of power is nearly perfect on the street.
The sport and track modes noticeably enhance the driving experience. In track mode, throttle response is ultra-sharp, especially from a standstill. In true muscle car fashion, the Challenger is powerful but it is heavy. The Widebody package aims to offset this with its improved brakes, suspension, and tires. As a result, the handling is improved even though the weight isn’t significantly affected. So while it isn’t nimble, it is undeniably fun.
Dodge takes the Challenger lineage very seriously, and this model is no exception. While the more-refined Mustang’s and Camaro’s have increasingly focused on handling, the Challenger is powerful fun first. However, that pleasure is not cheap. This particular model costs nearly $60,000, but forgoing some options shaves thousands off the price. That being said, underneath the anniversary badges and decals, the Challenger still embodies the American muscle car spirit.
