By: Krish Persaud
October 28, 2023
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown represents a fascinating blend of the past and the present in the automotive world. It manages to maintain its appeal with a distinct character, bold exterior design, and a strong nod to the brand’s heritage.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown (R/T Scat Pack Widebody) stands as a pinnacle in the lineage of special edition models bidding adieu to the final generation of combustion-engined Challengers. Its remarkable design balances classic aesthetics with a commanding road presence, invoking a sense of power and nostalgia. This unique vehicle showcases an array of distinctive features and unique styling elements, such as Ruby Red accent stitching, Demonic Red seat belts, and a Shaker underhood decal, paying homage to the car’s rich heritage. From its White gauges to the Dark R/T widebody grille badge and the Shakedown spoiler graphic, each feature emphasizes its individuality. The Shakedown edition comes at an additional cost but ensures the Challenger not only stands out but embodies an aggressive and aesthetically striking persona, truly making a mark on the road.
Behind the wheel of the Challenger is where the excitement truly comes alive. The engine makes a bold statement upon ignition, maintaining a deep, rumbling growl at idle. The Challenger boasts a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, delivering an impressive 485 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 475 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. The HEMI delivers power linearly and responsively, making the engine a joy to listen to, especially as it revs right up to the redline.
One standout feature is the availability of a six-speed gearbox—a rarity in today’s automotive landscape. Despite incurring an additional cost, the engagement it offers is invaluable. The shifter boasts short travel and well-defined gates, although it does require a fair amount of effort to slot into gear, setting it apart from the light-action units found in some competitors. Operating the pedals demands a certain level of effort but reinforces the feeling of commanding a powerful machine. Shifting with precision is immensely satisfying, adding an extra layer of engagement to the driving experience.
While the steering can occasionally be on the firmer side, it instills a reassuring sense of road connection, demanding deliberate input and contributing to an overall confident and engaging driving experience. It provides an engaging and theatrical experience that few vehicles can replicate. The exhaust note is consistently potent, offering a continuous soundtrack that remains true to the car’s muscle car heritage. What sets this powertrain apart is its reliance on natural aspiration, a rarity in an era where many high-performance vehicles opt for forced induction and turbochargers. Drivers also have the flexibility to customize driving modes, adjusting traction control, suspension damping, and steering effort to suit their preferences.
The performance pages in the Challenger 392 R/T Scat Pack are a pivotal element of the driving experience, offering drivers control over various performance settings and real-time data monitoring. These pages enable crucial vehicle information oversight, customization of driving preferences, and the flexibility to switch between different driving modes, defining the car as a driver-focused, high-performance vehicle.
While the driving position may not be an immediate fit for everyone, it offers an opportunity for personalization. Some drivers may discover that adjusting to the Challenger’s seating takes a bit of time, but this process allows you to fine-tune your comfort to achieve the perfect driving setup tailored just for you. Despite its considerable weight and a width that rivals a highway lane, the Challenger captivates with its commanding road presence and remarkable handling capabilities. It instills confidence in its handling, making it a joy to navigate winding roads or even take on the occasional track day. This serves as a genuine testament to American muscle car engineering, highlighting the Challenger’s prowess beyond its straight-line speed.
While the exterior has maintained its timeless charm, the interior reflects its classic heritage, which may not entirely align with the most contemporary standards. The cabin, showing signs of age, still exudes a certain nostalgic character with its use of materials that have a classic appeal. While it may not cater to the most discerning buyers, it retains authenticity and offers a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers to enjoy their journey. Additionally, the rear seats are accommodating for adults, although they are particularly well-suited for younger passengers, making them an ideal choice for families with children.
The interior showcases classic charm with nostalgic materials, including Nappa leather/Alcantara–faced seats adorned with stylish Ruby Red accents and Scat Pack badging. While these seats offer good support for driving, some might find them a bit firm for long trips.
Enhancing the interior is the powerful harman/kardon 18–speaker audio system, along with a trunk–mounted subwoofer, providing an immersive sound experience. The cabin feels luxurious with Dinamica suede elements and ambient lighting in the door trim
The 2023 Dodge Challenger presents a range of options to accommodate various budgets. Starting at $43,435, the entry-level SXT model offers an accessible choice, while the Scat Pack 392 trim, priced at $66,235, provides a step-up option. At the top end, the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak begins at $119,950. Our test vehicle, the Scat Pack 392 Widebody, initially starts at $73,790, but with added features, our 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown reaches an As-Tested Price of $85,670.
Despite its exhilarating performance and substantial power, the Challenger does have a noteworthy Achilles’ heel—its fuel efficiency. This aspect warrants careful consideration, particularly for those planning daily commutes or long journeys. The Challenger’s thirst for fuel is unmistakable, as it seems to excel at everything except conserving fuel. The 6.4-liter HEMI engine demands higher-octane fuel, and during our testing period, we achieved a combined fuel consumption of 16.2 L/100km, which falls short of the manufacturer’s ratings of 16.7 L/100km in the city, 10.4 L/100km on the highway, and 13.9 L/100km combined. We attribute this to our smiles per litre being much higher than the typical purchaser.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown is a captivating blend of nostalgia and power. Celebrating its final year with a combustion engine, it more than compensates with exhilarating performance and an engaging driving experience. The availability of a manual six-speed gearbox is a rare gem in today’s market and adds to the Challenger’s appeal for driving enthusiasts. Looking ahead, the Challenger’s transition to electric power promises a new and exciting chapter in its legacy. How Dodge navigates this transition will undoubtedly shape the future of this iconic American muscle car as we bid farewell to the era of supercharged high-deplacement HEMI engines. The 2023 Dodge Challenger Last Call Shakedown remains a symbol of enduring power and timeless design in the automotive world.
