Dodge kicked off the year-long farewell tour of the Challenger today with a special edition designed to appeal to enthusiasts with extensive knowledge of Dodge’s rear catalog. It’s the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown, and the company will only build 1,000 of them.
A long goodbye
Dodge announced last week that its two rear-drive big cars – the 4-door Charger sedan and the 2-door Challenger muscle car – won’t live until 2024. But the company will say goodbye to two of the oldest models still on the road. the market with a series of special editions.
They will be sold, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said, “just like a sneaker drop.”
The company will not accept advance orders. Instead, the Dodge Garage The website will track which dealers have the limited-edition models and count down as they sell out. This site doesn’t appear to have those allowances listed yet, but Dodge has released details for the first of the “Last Call” editions.
The 2023 Challenger Shakedown is inspired by a 1971 Dodge Challenger modified for the show car circuit in 2016. This model was a ’70s classic fitted with parts from the modern Challenger.
Shaker Hood Scoop, Black (or Gray) Stripes on Black
Shakedown 2023 is a visual package with no mechanical improvements. It uses the fast parts of the R/T Scat Pack, which means you’ll find a 485-hp 6.4-liter V8 under the hood. It sends power through a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Dodge will build 500 examples using the R/T Scat Pack body and another 500 using the R/T Scat Pack Widebody. Regular body models will be finished in Destroyer Gray and widebody models in Pitch Black.
They’ll be unmistakable, with a shaker hood scoop and three off-center gloss black stripes of varying widths plus a single thin red stripe for accent. The fender decals read “392” in red, matching the red Brembo brake calipers.
Inside, you’ll find black and red Alcantara faux suede, red stitching, and seat belts in a hue Dodge calls “Demonic Red” (Dodge is subtle like that). Like all Last Call models, it will carry a plaque under the hood announcing its status as one of the last Challengers.
What the future holds
Dodge will announce its next Last Call model on August 31.
What happens when they are gone? Dodge hinted at its electric future last week, debuting a concept car it says previews the “electric muscle car” that will replace the Challenger.