Dodge Pumps Up the Muscle With 2017 Challenger T/A and Charger Daytona

The golden age of muscle cars just came roaring back.

Everyone loves the 707-horsepower supercharged Hemi Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcats, but not everyone can afford their nearly $70,000 price tags. In response, Dodge has rolled out the Challenger T/A and the Charger Daytona, which include other Hellcat upgrades, but not that hellacious engine.

Instead, they get upgrades like a cold air intake system and active exhaust, boosting output for the 6.4-liter “392” Hemi to 485 horsepower and the 5.7-liter Hemi to 375 horsepower. 

The new 2017 Challenger T/A and Charger Daytona also get wider 20-inch aluminum wheels with high-performance Pirelli rubber, and the 392 has Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears.

The Challenger wears a new hue on the T/A, “Green Go,” while the Daytona gets a unique “Yellow Jacket” shade.

The beefed-up muscle machines debuted at Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise, where 1.5 million car fans line Woodward Boulevard to watch classic Detroit heavy metal parade past. Dodge rolled out the new models at this event to underscore the company’s proud heritage at the dawn of the age of autonomous cars.

“These cars are not autonomous; they are not hybrids; they do not get 50 miles per gallon (4.7 L/100 km), and you can’t summon them with your smartphone,” crowed Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars for Dodge at the introduction.

“What they can do is maybe remind you why you fell in love with driving in the first place and maybe get your kids to stop SnapChatting long enough to take a drive with you to nowhere on a Friday night with the windows down and the radio up and the exhaust screaming into the night,” he added. “That’s what these cars are all about.” 

The Challenger T/A starts at $38,495 and the Charger Daytona starts at $40,985. You can order the Charger starting in September and the Challenger in October.