Chrysler coyly teased the mean looking Dodge Mopar '11 Charger late last week, but representatives from the company's Mopar accessories division spilled the beans on the package earlier this morning.
So, how does this best a run-of-the-mill 2011 Charger R/T? In appearance, certainly. The Pitch Black paint and offset Mopar Blue accent stripe are patterned after the paint scheme used on the Mopar '10 Challenger, although buyers no longer have their choice of stripe colors. Both the grille crossbars and the 20-inch five-spoke wheels (topped with Mopar-branded centers) are painted to match the body color.
Inside, Mopar '11 Chargers receive unique Katzkin leather seating (striped to match the exterior paint scheme), bright pedal overlays, a pistol grip shifter, embroidered floor mats, door sill guards with Mopar logos, and a special dash-mounted emblem. Owners will also receive a specialized kit including a certificate of authenticity, a deluxe brochure, and some additional Mopar swag.
But when it comes to the mechanicals, the Mopar-trimmed model doesn't break much new ground. Power is still provided by Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, which is still rated at 370 horsepower at 5250 rpm, and 395 pound-feet of torque at 4200 rpm. The eight-cylinder mill is still mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, although Mopar-spec cars do receive a unique 3.91:1 final drive ratio. Chrysler says this does aid in acceleration, potentially whittling the 0-60 mph time to below the 5-second benchmark.
Likewise, chassis tuning isn't a vast departure from a run-of-the-mill 2011 Charger R/T Road & Track Model. Performance-tuned steering gear and monotube dampers are part of the Road & Track's feature list, while the heavy-duty brakes, thicker front and rear sway bars (30 and 20 mm, respectively), and Goodyear F1 Supercar 245/45ZR20 tires are usually lumped in with the optional Super Track Pak. To its credit, Mopar does add both front and rear shock tower braces to further stiffen the Charger's structure.
Pricing for the Mopar '11 Charger starts at $39,750 (including destination), which is about a $5300 surcharge over a comparable 2011 Charger R/T Road & Track with the aforementioned Super Track Pak. Mopar '11 Charger production is limited to 1000 cars (900 for the U.S. and 100 for Canada), but we wouldn't worry too much if you miss out - we wouldn't be surprised if a number of these upgrades ultimately wind up in Mopar's accessory catalog.