Dodge release centenary edition Charger and Challenger
New 2014 Dodge Charger and Challenger 100th Anniversary Editions will arrive at North American dealerships in the first quarter of 2014 with world-class power and performance, innovative technology features, bold styling with commemorative design details inspired by the brand's heritage. Australian availability of these models is expected to be limited to special and private imports only.
"The Dodge Charger and Challenger are the perfect foundation to celebrate 100 years of Dodge style and performance," said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO — Dodge Brand.
"Over the last century, the Dodge brand has seen its biggest success when we've combined head-turning designs with ingenious engineering and world-class performance. These two iconic muscle cars do all of that and more. They represent the Dodge brand's heart and soul."
Powerplant options across the two 100th Anniversary Editions include the standard Pentastar V-6 and the legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V8 that produces 375hp and 395lb/ft torque. They will also feature innovations like Uconnect and the segment-exclusive ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both limited production vehicles will be available in new "High Octane" red pearl coat paint, which is exclusive to the 100th Anniversary Editions, as are all-new 20-inch aluminium wheels. The special editions will feature commemorative badging on the front guards and wheel centres, with the 100 Years logo also reproduced inside on the seat backs, floormats and console display. A clever touch is the contrast colour for the '100' on the speedometer.
Purchasers of either 100th Anniversary Edition will also receive a unique key fob and a special limited-edition owner's kit and a commemorative book that celebrates 100 years of Dodge heritage.
Dodge Charger 100th Anniversary Edition
The 2014 Charger 100th Anniversary Edition celebrates the brand's centennial with uniquely designed appointments to complement the sedan's world-class power, handling, technology and iconic style.
Paint options include Pitch Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Ivory Tri-Coat, Phantom Black Tri-Coat, Header Orange, and for this special occasion, all-new and exclusive High Octane Red Pearl Coat (pictured).
All-new 20 x 8-inch polished five-spoke aluminium wheels with Granite Crystal pockets and a matching Granite Crystal Dodge split-crosshair grille are additional external identifiers.
Stylistic appointments to commemorate the brand's century include "Dodge Est. 1914" bar-style badges on the front guards, with the special Dodge "100" logo added to the centre caps. Additional exterior appointments include a body-colour rear spoiler and, on models with the legendary HEMI, a red heritage version of the "R/T" grille badge.
Exclusive interior appointments include all-new Molten Red or Foundry Black Nappa leather with a custom cloud overprint for the sports front seats, centre console armrest and door armrests. All leather-wrapped surfaces are sewn together with contrasting brass-coloured stitching.
A unique three-spoke flat-bottom performance steering wheel features die-cast paddle shifters and Liquid Graphite accents, while the centre console bezels are finished in Dark Brushed Graphite.
Interior appointments designed to commemorate the brand's centenary include die-cast "Dodge Est. 1914" circular badges on front seatbacks and an embroidered anniversary logo on premium floor mats. All-new instrument panel cluster graphics feature unique black-face gauges with white indication and stand-out red "100" mph indication, a subtle, but effective reminder of the centenary. The centre console's Electronic Vehicle Information Center and Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen feature a unique startup image, evoking the industrious nature of Detroit.
Also standard on the 100th Anniversary Edition models is 'Beats by Dr. Dre' audio technology. This segment-exclusive system includes 10-speakers and a 12-channel 552 watt amplifier that integrates Beats proprietary equalizer algorithm to create high-definition sound quality.
Based on the 2014 Dodge Charger SXT Plus, the 100th Anniversary Edition features the award-winning 300hp 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, with active intake manifold and sport mode, and state-of-the-art 8-speed transmission. The Charger SXT Plus delivers a best-in-class rear-wheel-drive fuel economy of up to 31 mpg, and a 0-60 mph time in the low 6-second range.
Optional on the Dodge Charger 100th Anniversary Edition is the 370hp 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology and up to 25 mpg on the highway. This option is based on the 2014 Dodge Charger R/T Plus.
All 100th Anniversary Editions include sport mode calibration, performance-tuned suspension and steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters for added driver control.
Completing this special model are two unique key fobs, which include a 100th Anniversary Edition jewelled logo on the back side, customized owner's kit and a special commemorative book celebrating the 100 years of Dodge heritage.
Available in limited quantities, the 2014 Dodge Charger 100th Anniversary Edition package is available for a U.S. MSRP of $2,200 premium over the SXT Plus or R/T Plus trim levels.
Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition
Like the 100th Anniversary Edition Charger, the centenary Challengers are based on the 2014 Dodge Challenger SXT Plus and R/T Plus models.
Like the Charger, the Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition includes all-new 20 x 8-inch polished five-spoke aluminium wheels with Granite Crystal pockets and matching Granite Crystal grille surround with script "Challenger" badge.
Available paint options include Pitch Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Ivory Tri-Coat, Phantom Black Tri-Coat, Header Orange and the exclusive High Octane Red pearl coat. For added detail, commemorative "Dodge Est. 1914" front-guard badges and Dodge '100' wheel centre caps identify the special edition.
The interior has all-new and exclusive Molten Red or Foundry Black heated Nappa leather sport seats , with the same custom 'cloud overprint', brass-coloured stitching and die-cast "Dodge Est. 1914" circular badges Charger 100th Anniversary Editions. Armrests trimmed in matching Molten Red or Foundry Black premium leather, Liquid Graphite center console bezels, steering wheel accents and door handle pulls are other touches exclusive to the 100th Anniversary Edition.
Other interior appointments include embroidered anniversary logos on premium floor mats, new white gauge faces featuring the red "100" mph indication, and centenary imagery for the Uconnect system's startup. Finishing out the interior is a seven speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with 368-watt amplifier, along with Mopar "Challenger" sill plates and bright pedals.
Engine options for the Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition include the 305hp 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 from the Challenger SXT Plus, or the 5.7 HEMI V8 from the Challenger R/T Plus, which offers up to 375hp and sub-6 second 0-100 kph performance. A six-speed manual or 5-speed auto transmission is available with the R/T Plus-spec version. Both V6 and V8 models include sport mode calibration, performance-tuned suspension and three-spoke flat-bottom performance steering-wheel.
The 100th Anniversary Edition jewelled logo key fob, customized owner's kit and a special commemorative book celebrating the 100 years of Dodge heritage are also included.
Available in limited quantities, the 2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition package carries a U.S. MSRP of $2,500 premium over the Challenger SXT Plus or R/T Plus trim levels.
Images: Chrysler media
