Marchionne has confirmed on September 3 that due to acceptable sales figures, the current Challenger will be in production for two more model years.
For 2015, the Challenger’s 5-speed automatic transmission will be replaced by a new 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission), . Power output on the 6.4 liter V8 will increase by 15 to total 485 horsepower. A slightly revamped exterior features a new grille with design cues from the 1970-1974 model, Quad LED ‘Halo Ring” Head lights, LED Tail lights, and a functional hood intake on HEMI models. Inside, the Challenger gets a 7-inch (780mm) TFT Thin Film Transistor display with over one hundred possible configurations, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen radio with available navigation, and a retro styled gauge cluster.
In addition to the SRT 392, 2015 will also see the release of the SRT Hellcat, featuring Chrysler’s first supercharged HEMI V8 engine. The 6.2 liter engine can output 707 hp (527 kW) and 650 lb·ft (881 N·m) of torque. Chrysler claims that this makes the Challenger SRT Hellcat “the most powerful muscle car ever,” with a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h). The inner driving light on the front has been removed to allow air to get into the engine resulting in more torque, and the wheel wells are different from the standard SRT to accommodate the 20-inch aluminum wheels. The SRT Hellcat will come equipped with two separate key fobs; use of the “black” fob will limit engine output to 500 horsepower, while the “red” fob will enable the full output capability.
