2021 Dodge Challenger Engine Lineup Examined

The Challenger is a legendary name in the world of cars. It was first introduced in 1969, sharing the same E-Body Platform with the smaller Plymouth Barracuda. Its goal was to compete against the likes of the Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird.

Just like the present-day model, it was available in a wide range of trims and could be equipped with basically any of the Chrysler engines available at the time.

The epic exterior design was the work of Carl Cameron, who was also responsible for the 1966 Dodge Charger. He based the first-generation Challenger’s fron grille after a 1966 Charger prototype that never saw the light of day.

As the pony car segment was declining at the time the Challenger was introduced, sales fell dramatically after 1970 and, although they picked up three years later with over 27,800 cars being sold, the Challenger was discontinued midway through 1974, with a total of 165,437 cars being sold in total.

The second generation that spanned from 1978 to 1983 was an insult to the Challenger name, which was attributed to a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Coupe. It was equipped with two inline four 1.6 and 2.6-liter engines that could barely exceed the 100 HP mark.

Fortunately for us muscle cars enthusiasts, Chrysler decided to bring back the muscle to the Challenger lineup in 2005, when they released the first photos of the third-generation Challenger.

Three years later, it hit the streets battling once again with the likes of the new Mustang and Camaro.

The 2021 model year offers enthusiasts the chance to own a muscle car regardless of the budget, with thirteen trimlines available, which range from $28,000 and go up to $80,000 for the insane SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. There are also four engines to choose from.

The entry-level powertrain features the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar, which is a compact, lightweight engine with Variable Valve Timing, dual overhead camshafts, high-flow intake and exhaust ports, and Electronic Throttle Control with integrated Speed Control.

It produces 303 HP and 268 lb.-ft of torque and it is available along with an 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and rear or all-wheel-drive, on the SXT, GT and GT 50th Anniversary models.

The first of the three V8s in the lineup is the popular 5.7-liter HEMI engine available on the R/T and R/T 50th Anniversary models. With a power output of 375 HP and 410 lb.-ft of torque, it can be coupled either with the 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed Tremec manual transmission.

The next available engine is the 392 HEMI V8 that puts out 485 HP and 475 lb.-ft of torque. It is available with the 6-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic transmission on the R/T Scat Pack, R/T Scat Pack 50th Anniversary, R/T Scat Pack Widebody and R/T Scat Pack Widebody 50th Anniversary models.

The crown-jewel of the line-up is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI SRT Hellcat V8. The fierce engine is available on the top of the line, rear-wheel-drive-only SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Widebody, SRT Hellcat Redeye and SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody models. It produces a monstrous 717 HP and 656 lb.-ft of torque.

The muscle car phenomena is alive and well with high-performance cars such as the 2021 Challenger and although we appreciate and support the shift to more efficient, hybrid or all-electric vehicles, it’s hard to imagine a future without roaring, gas-guzzling, muscle cars.