2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

Kicking up the good ole’ days with the Scat Pack

9 Exterior
7 Interior
6 Fuel Economy
8 Performance
9 Value
7.8

1968 was a memorable year for automotive competition as it hailed the introduction of the Scat Pack. The ambitious line-up consisted of the Big Three, which included the Charger R/T, Coronet R/T, and the Dart GTS.

In 2013, Dodge decided to reintroduce the Scat Pack using optional kits that could be added to the 2014 versions of the Charger, Dart, or Challenger in recognition of the original Scat Pack’s 45th anniversary. The 2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack harkens back to the old days with features that are nostalgic and bad ass all rolled into one package.

EXTERIOR

Testing the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack was no disappointment, especially to the eyes. The Bright White clear coat gives the car a sleek look while the front shin splitter appearance pays homage to the ’71 Challenger. The Scat Pack Appearance Group, which is available for $1,195, adds features such as:

  • Satin black fuel filler door
  • Gloss-black grille
  • High-intensity discharge headlamps
  • Scat Pack Bumblebee stripe

Historic race fans can celebrate the heritage of the original Scat Pack with Scat Pack badging. The Scat Pack 6.4L fender features the R/T logo of a bee resting atop the 6.4L at a noticeable size of 3.5-inches long and 3-inches high.

The bright-tipped, dual rear exhaust improves air flow between the engine and the tailpipe. As an additional improvement to performance, the satin black rear spoiler displaces unfavorable air flow to give you better maneuverability. The spoiler also adds to the visual appeal of the car without seeming like a regrettable afterthought.

As a final option, you can add 20-inch Hyper Black II forged aluminum wheels, complete with black pockets for $1,095. Whether you choose to add additional features or not, the standard 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack will not disappoint thanks to its heritage-inspired, yet ground-breaking design.

INTERIOR

The interior features of a car are just as important as the exterior. Fortunately, the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack does not disappoint. The interior greets the eye with plenty of retro style. The design is both a visual delight and a physical comfort. In fact, the interior expertly takes into consideration the needs and comfort of the driver. Interior features, including technology, consist of:

  • 6 premium speakers
  • Media Hub (Aux ports. SD, and USB)
  • Sentry key theft deterrent system
  • 276-watt amplifier
  • Parkview rear back-up camera
  • Rain brake assist
  • Ready alert braking
  • 180-mph primary speedometer
  • Keyless enter n’ go
  • Dodge Performance Pages (allows the driver to make authorized changes to factory specific features and parameters without voiding out the warranty)

The interior features of the package included in the previous section includes premium cloth high-performance seats and a leather performance steering wheel. There is also the Uconnect 8.4 for $795 which offers GPS navigation, HD radio, Sirius XM Traffic, and Sirius XM Travel.

Despite having cloth covered seats, the seats are bolstered with comfortable padding and bumblebee stitching. To add to the look and feel of the interior, drivers can enjoy the retro style that is akin to a 60’s rocket ship. The driver can enjoy a 7-inch touch screen that sits among analog dials.

The screen is flanked by a reconfigurable Driver Information Digital Cluster Display that offers 0-60 time, convenient turn-by-turn navigation, and a lap timer. Drivers who opt for the previously mentioned Uconnect package can also enjoy a Uconnect 8-4-inch screen found within the center console.

Even more beneficial is the fact that the screen is easy to navigate thanks to the fact that Dodge has not folded under the desire to remove physical controls in their entirety. In other words, you can still adjust the temperature of your car or change the volume on your favorite tunes without having to navigate your way through a maze of menus.

FUEL ECONOMY

Whereas the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack offers considerable benefits regarding features and style, it lacks on fuel economy. In fact, EPA experts only offer this car a rate of 25 mpg highway, 15 mpg city, and a total combination of 18 mpg. Of course, the consumers who decide to purchase this gloriously retro style vehicle will not likely feel concerned by EPA ratings.

PERFORMANCE

The Challenger Scat Pack can go from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds at a top speed of 176 mph. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that it features 485 horsepower combined with 475 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Challenger’s specs lie just below the sheer insanity of the 707 horsepower Challenger Hellcat as well as the Demon. However, the Hellcat comes with a price tag of $64,195, whereas the Challenger R/T Scat Pack offers a much more feasible starting price of $37,995.

Although the Challenger is a rather beastly thing with a weight of 4,200 pounds, it offers an astonishing nimbleness that isn’t otherwise expected. In fact, it handles quite well for something that is so heavy. When combined with a set of all-season performance tires, the car handles somewhat like a dream. However, tougher roads may prove to be a bit of an issue because the stiff Bilstein high-performance suspension does diminish from the quality of the ride.

A TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission sends the vehicle’s power to the rear wheels, which is an option available for $1,400 in place of the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Of course, most auto enthusiasts, particularly retro auto lovers, would prefer a manual transmission over an automatic.

However, the ZF automatic offers quick shifting and drivers can use the paddle shifters in manual mode. Another benefit is that it allows you to deactivate the cylinder, which offers an EPA fuel economy that is 2 mpg better than what the manual offers.

It is easy to break the rear wheels lose at just 40 mph, so any person with a right mind will display a healthy level of fear when climbing behind the wheel of the Challenger. That doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy driving the car as it was meant to be driven, particularly when it handles corners with ease and confidence, particularly when paired with the right tires that can keep the car stuck to the pavement.

Perhaps the most praise-worthy feature of the Challenger is the steering. Whoever designed the steering made it to where it is heavy when placed into sport mode, but its precision is spot on. Considering that American muscle cars typically gain a bad rep for their steering, this is one feature that does not go unnoticed as an impressive addition.

As if that isn’t enough, try braking when necessary. The Scat Pack, with its 6.4-liter motor, offers large, four-piston Brembo brakes that are free of fading and feel comfortably precise and excellent. The standard R/T, on the other hand, has brakes that are just fine, but they do tend to fade rather quickly.

Make sure you do not make the mistake of assuming that the Challenger, even as a Scat Pack, is a sports car despite its retro sporty appearance. It’s simply too large for such an assumption. If you take to the road and drive too fast, you’re going to look like an out-of-sorts Sumo wrestler trying to perform a ballet version of Swan Lake.

CONCLUSION

The 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack comes at a base price of $37,995, which includes all standard features. You have the option of adding as many packages as you want to your purchase. If you really want to go all out, you can purchase all the packages for a total buying price of $42,480. Whether you choose one package or all, the cost is worthwhile.

What we liked: The incredible retro style appearance, superb handling, and comfort of the ride that gives you plenty of bang for your buck.

What we didn’t like: Noticeably bad outward visibility and a lack of praise-worthy fuel economy.

Competition: The Ford Mustang GT and Chevy Camaro SS might have a lower price tag and similar, if not better fuel economy, but the Dodge Challenger R/T still stands out as an impressive choice. The Challenger seats 5 whereas the Mustang and Camaro only seat 4. The Camaro is a compact car and the Mustang is subcompact whereas the Challenger offers the interior room and comfort of a mid-size car, making it a clear winner.


Photo Credit: Copyright 2017 Angel Mosqueda / Car Fanatics Blog

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