Chrysler’s Mopar performance parts division always has a massive presence at the SEMA Show and 2011 will be no different, as the Mopar Underground team will unveil their Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR – built almost entirely with parts from the Mopar catalog to pay homage to the incredible Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that recently reclaimed the production car lap time record at the famed Nürburgring.
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The Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR is based on a current production Challenger SRT8 392 but like the 1970 Challenger T/A and the Viper ACR, this Mopar-built Challenger SRT8 ACR packs added power, improved handling and a lighter curb weight thanks to the non-go-fast goodies being removed. As a very interesting note, Chrysler points out that this car was influenced by the success of the Mopar Drag Pak Challenger – leading us to believe that at some point, the Challenger SRT8 ACR could become a production reality.
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is an incredible machine, packing 470 horsepower and an adjustable suspension system that makes it one of the best handling muscle cars on the market but the Challenger SRT8 ACR takes both aspects one step further. To increase the power output (and the sound), the Mopar Underground team added a set of custom designed exhaust headers that breath through a high flow cat back exhaust system. Next, to truly make this car worth of the ACR title (American Club Racer), Mopar added a high performance coilover suspension setup, new front/rear strut tower braces and a set of Goodyear F1 Supercar tires wrapped around lightweight wheels. Inside, the weight has been reduced by the removal of a variety of nonessential components while a set of lightweight race bucket seats have been installed in place of the leather buckets from the SRT8 392. The rear seat is gone to make room for the roll cage and the lightweight center stack with carbon fiber trim from the Mopar Drag Pak furthers the weight reduction.
The outside of the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR is nothing shy of incredible – with a design scheme that pays homage to the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that recently shattered the Nürburgring production car lap time record with a time of just 7 minutes and 12 seconds. This begins with a front splitter to improve aerodynamics, a white body with a charcoal roof, a carbon fiber hood, decklid and rear spoiler, dark painted 20”wheels and the familiar offset red stripe from the Viper. The new Challenger SRT8 ACR will also feature the distinct ACR fender badging that we find on the record-setting Dodge Viper.
Unfortunately, Dodge has offered up just one picture of this awesome new Challenger SRT8 ACR but you can be 100% guaranteed that there will be a full complement of images of the new Mopar-built Challenger when I get to SEMA in a week. This looks like one of the hottest cars Mopar has brought to SEMA in a few years and while I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2011 SEMA Show…this is the car that has me drooling. Stay tuned!
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