Sure seems like an expensive exercise to commorate the 392 Hemi. I wonder if they are playing around with different ideas to come out with different
Challenger versions ( ala T/A, R/T etc..)


What is it?
Dodge Challenger Super Stock
What's special about it?
One of only two Dodge Challenger concept bodies built, the Dodge Challenger Super Stock is designed to commemorate the legacy of the 392 Hemi. With the introduction of the Super Stock concept, Chrysler also announced the release of the 392 Hemi crate motor, available with either fuel-injected or carbureted induction.

The 6.4-liter fuel-injected Hemi in the Super Stock concept utilizes 10.5:1 compression, twin-plug cylinder heads, forged pistons, a forged crankshaft and forged connecting rods to generate 525 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The engine is available completely assembled, with a plug-and-play wiring harness.

SkunkWerks engineers, the in-house group of enthusiasts responsible for many Chrysler concept cars and performance parts, made significant changes to the LX platform on which both the original Challenger concept and the production car are based to create the Super Stock. Most significant is the absence of the platform's independent rear suspension. A live axle, complete with — get this — leaf springs, is utilized to reduce wheel hop and improve straight-line performance. A set of Mark Williams axles improves the rear end's durability. American Racing wheels and Goodyear slicks put power to the ground.

Ralph Gillies, DaimlerChrysler's vice president of design, told us the car would likely be capable of high 9- or low 10-second quarter-mile times. Based on the way it shook the rafters in the Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall when a DCX official brought the Hemi to life, we believe him.

What's Edmunds' take?
Even though the paint scheme on the Super Stock concept emulates the colors used by the Sox and Martin race team on its Super Stock Plymouth Barracudas back in 1970 (Dick Landy raced Dodge Challengers), we can't deny this car embodies the spirit of the original Super Stock drag-racing class. At the very least it's proof that the minds at Mopar eat, drink and sleep gasoline and burnouts. And that's something we can respect. — Josh Jacquot

 

hmm..i have spoken to two different people who told me that there are now 8 challengers...the detcha car, and 7 others made once DCX saw the public interest in the car...and those two different people are DCX employees at the HQ level...and one has driven the original...

and i do not believe that a 540hp car can run anywhere near the 9s...i have about 490 horsepower, and with a weight of around 3600-3700lbs, im only running 12.40s...the challenger concept weighed 4160 without things liek the HUGE slicks, wheelie bars, and roll cage (required for any car running under 11.500) and even with TREMENDOUS weight reduction, it would be a miracle to run in the 9s with that engine.

to give you an idea...using a 1/4 calculator, taking 540bhp, and assuming (an extremely conservative 10%drivetrain loss) that would give you 486 whp...with only 486 whp, the car would have to weigh around 2400lbs to break into the high 9s.

to get into the high 10s the car would need to weigh around 3200lbs...