Dodge has prepared an extreme, drag strip-orientated incarnation of the 2011 Challenger.

Dubbed the Challenger Drag Pak, the vehicle drops its 6.1-liter V8 engine in order to use the Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 powerplant, which is mated to a drag racing two-speed automatic transmission. The power is sent to the road via a solid rear axle and a set of special tires. The racer can be ordered in Stock Eliminator or Super Stock versions.

Many systems and parts that added weight to the vehicle have been removed. We are talking about the HVAC system, the windshield wiper assembly, the rear seats, the power steering and the underbody heat shields.

The vehicle has been fitted with special parts such as polycarbonate door windows, lightweight racing seats that are six-point harness-ready, custom drag-race only front brakes, manual rack and pinion steering and others.

Mopar (the Chrysler Group’s parts division) will only build 70 units of the car, each one set to retail for a price of $85,512. Read more!

American manufacturer Chrysler is gearing up its Mopars for the 31st annual Mile-High NHRA Nationals, which will take place on July 23–25 at the Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado. For the opening gala, Chrysler is prepping the recently introduced Mopar ‘10 Challenger.

“We’re looking forward to bringing Mopar Nation to Thunder Mountain,” Pietro Gorlier, MoparCEO said in a statement. “This is a premier stop on the NHRA circuit and a great place to showcase the Mopar brand and reveal our new Mopar ’10 Challenger.”

The Mopar ’10 hides a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 powerplant under its hood and comes with several unique features to set it apart from other Dodges, like black chrome finish for the grille surround and Brilliant Black paint.

As for the technical tweaks which will make the 500 units of the ’10 stand out from the crowd, they comprise hood-venting system and a cold air intake, front strut brace with shock caps and a rear strut tower brace and twenty inch forged rims.

Aside for the ’10, Mopar will display at the event the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty, a “Moparized” Dodge Challenger, Mopar Ram Runner and the Mopar Direct Connection Test Lab Vehicle.

“Bandimere Speedway is proud and honored to have Mopar call our track home,” added John Bandimere Jr., Bandimere Speedway CEO.

“Our unique venue and the forward-thinking people at Mopar make this one of the top fan experiences on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. We are eager to have our friends return to Denver for this long-running partnership.”

Chrysler Group LLC to Introduce Mopar® ’10 Challenger

Company Continues to Leverage, Grow Mopar Brand

- Mopar ’10 will be available in August
- Pricing starts at $38,000, which includes destination
- Five hundred special-edition cars to be built, customers may pre-order now

For the first time in its history, Chrysler Group LLC will launch a special-edition Mopar® version of one of its vehicles. The Mopar ’10, a Mopar 2010 Dodge Challenger, arrives in Dodge dealerships next month.

“Our Mopar ’10 Challenger is a collaboration of two iconic brands with tremendous heritage,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC. “Dodge put the heart into this Challenger and Mopar added the soul. The result is a unique, special-edition car that only we can offer.”

The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Mopar ’10 is $38,000 for an automatic transmission and $39,000 for a manual transmission. Both prices include $750 for destination. Customers may pre-order now.

It seems that Chrysler’s upcoming 6.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine will only be available for the SRT vehicles and not Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks. Joe Veltri, Chrysler vice president of product planning, said “it’s designed for performance, not low-end torque. It’s designed for off-the-line 0-to-60 times.”

He also added “it’s a struggle to recrank that engine to make it a truck engine.” As we can see, Chrysler maybe needs a gas engine with more horsepowers than the current 383 horsepower, 400 pounds-feet of torque 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 used in the Ram HD trucks.

Actually, in the heavy-duty segment between gasoline and diesel engines there is a tendency – from 75%/25% to 70%/30% today and maybe 60%/40% in the future (gas/diesesl). And the price of the diesel engines is rising up.

Official press release:
Geneva, Mar 2, 2010 – The Dodge Car Brand continues to offer customers around the world driving excitement, functionality and aggressive styling.

“The focus of the Dodge Car Brand is creating an all-new spirit and life built around strong American heritage in products that provide performance and personality,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President – Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Dodge Charger SRT8 and Challenger SRT8 command attention by offering benchmark, all-around performance that appeals to unique customers who celebrate their achievements by living life to the fullest.”

At the 80th Geneva International Motor Show, the Dodge Car Brand showcases two iconic models – Dodge Charger SRT8® and Dodge Challenger SRT8 – both of which deliver the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics: unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and proven technology.

In 2009, the Dodge brand comprised nearly 35 percent of Chrysler Group LLC sales in markets outside North America, led by Dodge Journey as the highest sales volume vehicle and Dodge Caliber also as a top-five sales contender.

As the Chrysler Group product portfolio develops in markets outside North America, Dodge will become a specialty brand with a focus on regional sales for specific models.

Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in more than 120 countries around the world.

Mopar – Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer care brand will present mobile TV into Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram and the first “winner” is going to be the Ram 2500.

If this really happens, Chrysler will be the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile TV to its clients – college and professional sports, breaking news, children’s shows, prime-time sitcoms, reality TV and daytime dramas.

Pietro Gorlier said “We are the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile TV in more than 100 metropolitan markets. Live, mobile TV gives our customers the ultimate in entertainment and it’s a great example of how Mopar adds value to our Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram brands.”

A truly one-of-a-kind 2007 custom 2 door Charger R/T HEMI 5.7L V8 muscle car conversion. With well under 2,000 original miles, this special one-off coupe was customized by the world famous custom shop West Coast Customs for Chop from A&E’s “King of Cars” reality show. This was a 10-month custom project with thousands of professional man hours. Because this vehicle was built for the world’s largest Dodge dealer, it had to be better than factory specs. Everything about this car is in perfect working order.

It features a Daytona flat black grille, custom “HALO” Audi R8-style headlights, full custom paint with flat black “West Coast Custom” stripe, smoked tail lamps, custom fabricated Gibson growling exhaust, custom Mopar coilover adjustable suspension designed by Chrysler Corporation, full custom stitched suede accents and head liner, two tone custom imprinted leather “West Coast” interior, and brand new 24×10 TIS wheels sponsored by “DUB” magazine with 275/25ZR24 Pirelli/P-Zero tires. The windshield and side windows were handmade in Germany and even the rear side windows roll down. Don’t forget to check the gallery after the jump.