Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) spare parts division Mopar has unveiled its latest crate engine available to tuners – the 746kW Hellephant – at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, debuting it in a one-off restomodded Dodge Charger. 

The Hellephant package follows on from the Hellcrate package debuted at SEMA last year that made the standard Hellcat engine available to purchase on its own.

The engine

Making the bonkers Dodge Challenger Demon’s 626kW 6.2-litre engine seem rather paltry by comparison, the Hellephant HEMI V8 displaces 7.0-litres and sports a massive twin-screw supercharger displacing 3.0-litres that forces 15psi boost through the engine to deliver a whopping 746kW – that’s 1000hp in old money – and 1288Nm that drag racers would probably describe as adequate, as they are the main crowd FCA is aiming this crate engine towards.

The Hellephant name pays homage to the renowned ‘Elephant’ 426 cubic inch (7.0-litre) HEMI V8 that has been a dominant force in drag racing since it debuted in the 1960s.

In addition to the supercharger that’s 700cc larger than that of the Demon, and the additional engine displacement, the Hellephant also sports a unique high-lift camshaft and forged pistons; valves, locks, and retainers from the Demon; and valve covers from the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye.

The engine comes equipped with a powertrain module, wiring harness, accelerator pedal, chassis harness, fuel pump controller, oxygen and air temperature sensors, and cam bus interface to make it a plug-and-play package. A Front End Accessory Drive kit that adds an alternator, power steering pump, and belts and pulleys is also available as an optional extra.

Priced from US$19,000, the Hellephant crate engine is set to go on sale in the US in early 2019.

The car

To showcase the new engine, FCA’s Product Design Office has pieced together a 1968 Charger restomod build dubbed the Super Charger that they shoehorned the new unit into for the SEMA Show.

Doing away with much of the original car, the Super Charger has a wider track, 51mm longer wheelbase, and suspension that has been lowered by 64mm at the front and 89mm in the rear respectively to give it a lower stance and to reduce frontal overhang.

It also sports the T-6060 six-speed manual gearbox from the Challenger Hellcat to channel the big engine’s 746kW to the rear wheels.

Additionally, a set of six-pot Brembo brakes have been added to help bring it to a halt, while the exhaust pipes have been nabbed from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and are high-mounted where the taillights once resided.

Visually, flared wheel arch extensions and a new front splitter both made of fibreglass, flush-fitting front and rear bumpers, staggered rims measuring 20-inches at the front and 21-inches at the rear, and a massive bonnet scoop give it a unique look that brings it well out of the sixties.

Further raiding the Mopar parts catalogue, the interior sports a set of Mopar-branded gauges and the steering wheel and bucket seats from the Dodge Viper, while a custom roll cage has also been fitted along with some Hellephant badging.

The Super Charger will be on show in Las Vegas at SEMA until November 2, 2018.

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Following on from his vision of the 2019 Dodge Charger a few months ago, our friend Enoch Gonzales has whipped up a striking rendering of the go fast version of the model, the 2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Compared to the “stock” model, the SRT Hellcat gains a suitably aggressive front fascia, with Enoch moving the Charger’s grille further down into the restyled front bumper, where it is flanked by a pair of distinctive honeycomb shaped daytime running lights. The SRT Hellcat’s bonnet also gain a trio of openings, with a functioning central scoop sandwiched by what looks like a pair of smaller, non-functioning ones.

Along the sides, the talented industrial design maverick has given the front fenders a set of fender vents dissected by a BMW M-inspired strake along with a set of twin five-spokes alloy wheels.

Around the back, the restyled rear bumper houses a set of quad exhaust pipes and F1-esque rear fog light. Finally, no sports sedan is complete without a subtle boot lid spoiler to spice things up.

While this is purely a rendering exercise, the current Charger SRT Hellcat has been on sale in the US since 2014. It packs a monstrous supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI Hellcat V8 engine that pumps out 527kW and 880Nm of torque, enough to send the four-door saloon to the quarter mile in just 11 seconds before hitting an insane top speed of 328.3km/h.

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After presenting us with a series of realistic and good-looking Japanese car renderings (Nissan Fairlady Z and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO XI), industrial design student, Enoch Gabriel Gonzales is now trying his hands on an iconic American car – the Dodge Charger.

The current-generation model has been with us since 2011 but there are no words from Dodge when the new Charger will emerge. However, thanks to the wonders of the internet, the 2019 model has been realistically imagined.

Starting from the front, Enoch’s interpretation of the new car gains an aggressive nose flanked by a pair of chiseled headlights. These, together with a flatter grille, give the sedan a wider, more prominent stance.

Down the sides, the scallop has moved from the front door to the front wings, giving the car a longer profile. It also sports a set of Alfa Romeo Guilia-inspired alloy wheels.

Around the back, Enoch has given the 2019 charger a duck tail rear end that, to our eyes, doesn’t quite gel with the rest of the design. Still, it’s complete with the Charger’s trademark connected taillights to stand out from the crowd.

What do you think? Good enough for Dodge to adopt the design?

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This week, Dodge showed a one-finger salute to the SUV world with the Durango SRT. Forget about M and AMG as this monster of a “family” SUV not only packs three rows of seats, but also a mighty 6.4-litre HEMI V8 cranking out 354kW of power and 640Nm of torque.

The power is sent to all four wheels, sending the full size SUV from zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and through the quarter mile in just 12.9 seconds. That’s the realm of super fast sports cars.

And do not think it will only tear down a straight line, as the SRT is equipped with an active damping system, has a 52/48 weight distribution and boasts six-piston Brembo brakes at the front.

Just a day after releasing the Durango SRT press release, Dodge wants us to know that it means business. So, here comes a video from Dodge showing the performance SUV doing a four-wheel burnout. Hell yeah, smoking all four tyres.

Really? Yes, but with the help of some cables strapping the SUV onto something immovable. Check out the video below.

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Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s local arm is reportedly considering bringing right-hand drive versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger to Australia.

Given the impending demise of the V8 Holden Commodore and Australia’s appetite for rear-wheel drive performance cars; and not to mention the runway success of the latest Ford Mustang, the report comes as no surprise.

Speaking with our friends at Car Advice, FCA Australia boss, Steven Zanlunghi said: “We’ve had the discussion on it and we have said we are looking at the business case because we know what Mustang does in Australia. I head it was a six month wait, but you guys told me it’s an 18 month wait. Then again globally they have just taken down their production.

“We are constantly looking for the opportunities in the marketplace and that’s one of them. Especially when there’s the Falcon and Commodore going, so if we can make a business case out of it, then we can see those vehicles here in Australia,” Zanlunghi said.

It is understood that FCA has considered the possibility of converting the cars to right-hand drive through an Australian company, but the costs were too high. Instead, the local arm is working on a business case to bring the next-generation Challenger and Charger to Australia.

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Mopar has unveiled its new Crate HEMI Engine Kits at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas today, promising to bring factory-backed, efficient option for plugging Gen III HEMI engines into iconic Mopar vehicles from the 1970s and earlier.

The Mopar 345 Crate HEMI Engine Kit for the 5.7-litre engine and Mopar 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kit for the 6.4-litre HEMI can now be paired with model year 1975 and earlier vehicles such as the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Plymouth ‘Cuda amongst others.

The Mopar 345 Crate HEMI and 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kits, both available for purchase now through FCA US dealers either in-store or online at www.Mopar.com/CrateHEMI, include a power distribution centre, a powertrain control module (PCM), engine and chassis wiring harnesses, an accelerator pedal, O₂ sensors, ground jumper, charge air temperature sensor and in-depth information sheets on installation. The kits, compatible with respective 5.7-litre or 6.4-litre engines built in 2014 or newer, are shipped in distinctive packaging featuring either the 345 or 392 logo.

A factory calibration is featured on the unlocked PCM. The Mopar 345 Crate HEMI Engine Kit bumps horsepower to 383 (285kW) and torque to 425 lb.ft (576Nm). For the 5.7-litre HEMI engine, while the 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kit keeps the 6.4-litre HEMI steady at 485hp (362kW) and 472 lb.ft (640Nm) of torque. Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kits are designed and optimised for use with manual transmissions. Automatic transmissions such as the Torqueflite 727 and 904, while not optimal, can also be adapted for use.

Mopar has also “kitted” together additional engine accessory hardware components enthusiasts will need to suit their individual installation needs, making it even easier to pick a Mopar Crate HEMI Engine kit and install a modern-day HEMI engine. Available hardware includes a power steering expansion kit, AC expansion kit and rear sump oil pan kit, among other components.

The Mopar 345 Crate HEMI and 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kits are available at the same manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$1795. The kits can be used with a previously purchased 2014 or newer 5.7-litre or 6.4-litre HEMI service engine, or customers can purchase a new 5.7-litre or 6.4-litre HEMI engine and Crate HEMI Engine Kit together. The Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kits feature a Mopar two-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

Showcasing the new crate engines at the SEMA stand are the Dodge Shakedown Challenger and Jeep CJ66.

Underneath the elongated bonnet of the classic 1971 Challenger is a new 392 Crate HEMI Engine kit to help administer a 6.4-litre HEMI V8. It punches out 485hp (362kW) to the wheels via a Viper Tremec T6060 six-speed transmission.

The 6.4-litre HEMI is further augmented by a Mopar concept cold-air intake and Mopar custom dual exhaust with black powder-coated Mopar exhaust tips.

The custom front and rear suspension is lowered, dropping the Shakedown closer to the road — or to the track — creating a capable performer versatile enough to tackle the street or Pro Touring/Drift-type motorsports competition. Braking power is supplied by Brembo-red SRT Hellcat six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear brakes.

The “Bitchin’ Black” exterior is draped over a unique hand-built, one-off frame with a removable body. The car rolls on concept SRT Hellcat Slingshot-designed 19-inch by 9 ½-inch front and 20-inch by 9 ½-inch rear wheels.

Meanwhile, the Jeep CJ66 is built on a Wrangler TJ frame with a 1966 Wrangler CJ body hung over it. It features a Mopar 345 Crate HEMI Engine Kit-enabled 5.7-litre HEMI producing 383hp (285kW) matched with a six-speed manual, a Mopar cold-air intake, Mopar cat-back exhaust and front and rear Mopar Dana 44 Crate axles.

The Copper Canyon-coloured body rides high on massive 35-inch BFG all-terrain tyres paired with a two-inch lift kit and 17-inch Jeep Performance Parts beadlock wheels.

Part Number/Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) Information

Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kits
345 Crate HEMI Engine Kit (PN 77072455AC): For use with 5.7-litre engine assemblies; power distribution centre, powertrain control module, engine and chassis wiring harnesses, accelerator pedal, O2 sensors, ground jumper, charge air temp sensor, in-depth installation information sheets MSRP US$1795

392 Crate HEMI Engine Kit (PN 77072454AC): For use with 6.4-litre engine assemblies; power distribution centre, powertrain control module, engine and chassis wiring harnesses, accelerator pedal, O2 sensors, ground jumper, charge air temp sensor, in-depth installation information sheets MSRP US$1795

Engine Assemblies
5.7-litre Gen III HEMI Engine (PN 68303088AA): Requires 345 Crate HEMI Kit MSRP US$6070
6.4-litre Gen III HEMI Engine (PN 68303090AA): Requires 392 Crate HEMI Kit MSRP US$9335

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VLF, a company created by Fisker Automotive founder Henrik Fisker and automotive executive Bob Lutz, have launched their latest project – the VLF Force 1.

The Force 1 is practically a Dodge Viper with new cloths, with all panels new except for the roof. 21-inch wheels fill up the extended fenders with almost perfect fitment.

Beneath the elongated bonnet still lies the monstrous 8.4-liter V10 engine, but tuned to produce 555kW and 923 Nm of torque. 0 – 100km/h sprint is accomplished in just 3 seconds, en route to a top speed of 350km/h.

The price tag for the V10 racer? A hefty US$258,000. The company had planned to make 50 copies of the VLF Force 1.

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Dodge’s in house tuner SRT is introducing a limited edition Viper. Dubbed the American Club Racer (ACR), the special edition Viper is a street-legal race car for the real enthusiasts.

The Viper ACR makes visual impact with a race-oriented carbon fibre aero kit. It consists of a new bonnet with extra air breathers, front splitter and carnards, side extension blades, prominent rear wing and rear diffuser.

The 8.4-litre V10 all-aluminium engine remains unchanged, sending 488kW of power and 813Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual.

Matching the firepower under the bonnet is a set of six-piston Brembo stoppers acting on carbon-ceramic disc measuring 390mm at the front and 360mm at the rear. The uprated brakes are joined by a set of Bilstein adjustable racing dampers.

Inside, it’s all about weight savings. There are ultralight carpets, a minimalist audio system with only three speakers and seats with manual adjustment. The dashboard is sewn from Alcantara to further reduce weight.

The Dodge Viper ACR will be introduced for the US market in the third quarter of 2015.

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What you are looking at here is the fastest street-legal Viper track car, ever – the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR.

Developed by the SRT engineering team, their main focus was on aerodynamics, chassis and tyres to maximise grip and produce “never-seen-before handling capabilities and unprecedented lap times”.

“Our goal is to arm our enthusiasts with the ultimate Viper track car to dominate road courses around the world,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO of Dodge and SRT brands.

Powered by a handcrafted, all-aluminium 8.4-litre V10 overhead-valve engine, it delivers 474kW and 814Nm of torque channeled to the rear wheels via a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. Unique exhaust tips has been added to the trademark side-mounted exhaust pipes for reduced exhaust pressure.

Dodge says the Extreme Aero package produces the highest aerodynamic downforce of any production car, delivering nearly one-tonne of downforce at the Viper ACR’s top speed of 285 km/h during testing.

The aero kit is consist of a massive 1,876mm wide adjustable dual-element rear wing, rear carbon fibre diffuser with six removable strake extensions, designed to rub against the track surface for increased straight-line stability and downforce, unique SRT bonnet with removable louvres to reduce air pressure in the front wheel wells for more downforce, detachable extension for the front splitter and four dive planes.

To rein in the massive power, SRT engineers have fitted the Viper ACR with new Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes that is said to have “unprecedented brake fade resistance”, as well as benefitting handling through reduced unsprung weight. The brakes measure 390mm up front, and 360mm at the rear, both with two-piece rotors but clamped by six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston at the back.

It wears bespoke Kumho Ecsta V720s 295/25 R19 rubber at the front and chunky 355/30 R19 rears, which according to Dodge, is the largest combined tyre patch available on any production car.

The car sits on specially designed double-adjustable coilover Bilstein race shocks. They work in conjunction with ride height adjustment for optimal control of weight transfer and handling performance. Each shock provides independent 10-way rebound and compression adjustability, and the system allows for more than 76mm of ride height adjustment.

As befitting its sporty nature, the instrument cluster area and door armrest panels are covered in Alcantara. Other bespoke features include a new ACR-exclusive Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with straight-ahead stripe and unique badging and a unique dash plague finished in carbon fibre. Customers can further customise their car with either silver or red accent stitching.

The hand-built Viper ACR will go on sale in the United States in the third quarter of 2015.

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This video will sure to tickle any petrol head in the right places.

One lucky owner in the USA who happens to own both the luxurious and rapid Mercedes S65 AMG, as well as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, is kind enough to share the rumble of his toys with the rest of the world.

The Mercedes, equipped with a massive 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, pumps out 463kW (630PS), while the Challenger Hellcat’s 527kW of American goodness comes courtesy of a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8.

The Hellcat is faster as well, blitzing from 0-100km/h in the low 3 second range before hitting a top speed of 320km/h, where the S65 is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Anyway, enough of stats. Turn up your volume and hit play in the video below to find out how both cars sound from the tailpipe.

Source: Carscoop

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