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2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus Test Drive

The 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus is a bargain priced for a go fast muscle car!

2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack OVERVIEW

How fast is fast enough and can you ever have too much power? The SRT team at FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) has several Charger models to choose from that are capable of providing answers to those questions. We’ll review the 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus here, which is only a step down from the Dodge Hellcat, but it gets with the program none-the-less – enough to lose your license if you exercise its potential.

The four-door 2020 Dodge Charger continues an evolutionary path from its muscle-car roots, classic design and historic racing heritage to today’s stellar high performance, featuring state-of-the-art engineering and technology.

The first Dodge Charger appeared in 1964 as a concept vehicle based on a two-door Dodge Polara, but as a one-off, open air roadster. It was conceived and built to help introduce the company’s new hemispherical head performance 426 HEMI engine.

ICONIC BUT MODERNIZED STYLING

In terms of its exterior styling, the latest family muscle-car Dodge Charger displays a familiar and easily recognizable Coke-bottle form with scalloped body sides, a bold athletic stance, signature LED “racetrack” tail lamps that have all received a major redesign. The overall look of the Charger presents cleaner lines that create a sleek, chiseled and lighter appearing mass. The hood, fenders, front and rear fascias, headlamps, tail lamps, front doors and rear spoiler have all been resculpted, creating a more seamless look with improved aerodynamics- only the rear doors and the roof are unchanged.

The rear makeover starts at the C-pillar’s touchdown point, which is moved rearward, creating a more exaggerated fastback appearance, combined with a shorter rear overhang. A new three-piece spoiler is more integrated into the decklid, while the signature racetrack LED tail lamp showcases the same continuous glowing ribbon of light that debuted on the 2014 Durango. The center high-mounted stop lamp is relocated from the top of the deck lid to the roofline inside the back glass, allowing the Charger’s backup camera to be centered.

POTENT POWER

Motivational energy is delivered to the rear wheels by a 6.4-liter SRT HEMI V-8 with a multiple displacement system (MDS) through an 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower is rated at 485 at 6,100 RPM, while the torque rating is 475-pound feet at 4,200 rpm. 0-60 mph time is 4.3 seconds. EPA mileage estimates are 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Not bad considering the power output.

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

The new Dodge Charger stable’s cabin exhibits a restyled and driver-focused interior features premium, soft-touch materials, a customizable 7-inch full-color, driver information display instrument cluster and an instrument panel center stack with next-generation Uconnect Access touchscreen and available HD audio system.

 

The interior is instantly brought to life by its unique premium aluminum-lithograph driver bezel, which enables a seamless, billeted and highly detailed appearance, that carries through the instrument cluster and center console. The instrument cluster also has a high-tech treatment and includes a full-color 7-inch display screen. Standard on all models, this full-color high-definition screen allows drivers to customize how information is presented in more than 100 ways.

 

A thick rim, three-spoke steering wheel with available rev-matching paddle shifters frames the Charger’s new instrument cluster. Buttons controlling driver information functions are now larger and illuminated for easier operation. Charger’s redundant audio controls are still found on the back of the upper steering wheel spokes.

Looking to the center stack, the 2020 Charger features the latest Uconnect Access suite of technologies. A performance-inspired all-new leather-wrapped electronic gearshift lever is standard. The fully electronic shifter mimics a linkage shifter, providing tactile and visual cues for gear location. Performance-contoured seats provide optimum support and comfort with a dual-density foam, spring suspension and top layers of light-density foam sewn into the covers.

CONNECTIVITY

The amount of storage space is designed for optimal use, and the wrapped center armrest opens for easy access to Charger’s USB port, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, SD card slot or 12-volt auxiliary power outlet. Oversized door pockets feature grained surfacing on all four doors and integrate bottle holders. Abundant ambient LED lighting with a white glow is located in footwells, door-pull cups, overhead console (to light the center console below), door map pockets and cubby bin.

2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack  AS TESTED

My 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus began with a base price of $39,995., which rose to $51,570. after factoring in the Scat Pack Widebody Package, the Plus Group and the destination charge. It wore an exterior coat of Torch Red and sported an interior finished in Black and Caramel Alcantara and Nappa seating.

PERFORMANCE

The 2020 Dodge Charger unquestionably lives up to its billing. It’s lineup truly provides the quickest, fastest and most powerful production four-door domestic sedans available, and with the different trim levels, one should be able to find one to suit both their budget and performance requirements. There’s literally a Charger for everyone and all of the V8 models certainly deliver an exhilarating time behind the wheel in the wet or on dry pavement. All models serve up sports car performance with family sedan practicality and versatility. Put the pedal to the metal, and relish in the pleasingly exotic V8 note.

Not a nod to frugality, the new Charger delivers a rush when nailing the throttle off the line (using the launch control or not) and lighting up the tires – smoke ’em if you got ‘em. No water necessary for slipping and sliding. The opportunity to enjoy the prowess of the new Charger on twisting roads and in freeway driving is most enjoyable but track exercises provide the opportunity to indulge in the car’s potential without the risk of receiving a present from “Officer Friendly” for excessive speed or reckless driving.

The cabin provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, along with being performance-oriented and driver-focused, and the materials, as well as the fit and finish, are certainly a cut above the levels offered by many competitors. Don’t be surprised if there is a flooding of used Vipers on the market soon, as the Charger is not only more comfortable than a Viper, and more practical, seating up to five. and in the case of the SRT Hellcat, the performance is superior to that of the Viper as well.

Handling characteristics are stellar and the ride quality is comfortably compliant, while also delivering exceptional stability. Whether on-road or on-track.

Charger owners may personalize their drive experience via an all-new Drive Modes feature. Drive Modes tailor the driving experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, steering (Charger SRT only), paddle shifters, traction, and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Street, Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings.

  • Custom – Allows the driver to personalize the vehicle’s performance.
  • Sport – Delivers increased vehicle performance capability over the Default Mode.
  • Track – Delivers maximum vehicle performance capability on smooth, dry surfaces.
  • Default – Activates automatically when starting the vehicle.

The Drive Mode feature is controlled through the Uconnect system and may be accessed by Pushing the SRT button on the instrument panel switch bank; Selecting “Drive Modes” from the “SRT & Apps” menu; or by Selecting “Drive Modes” from within the Performance Pages menu.

SUMMATION

In the final analysis, the 2020 Dodge Charger is a far cry from its predecessors and should please nearly all individuals from mild to wild. A personal favorite is, of course, the SRT Hellcat Supercharged ( I haven’t had the opportunity to drive the Demon example), but the other versions aren’t chopped liver either. There’s no “Dodging” the fact that this Charger R/T Scat Pack sets an exceptionally hig- performance bar – certainly enough to please the majority of mortals.

SPECIFICATIONS: 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus

Base Price: $39,995.
Price as Tested: $51,570.

Engine Type and Size: 6.4-liter SRT HEMI OHV (16 valve) V-8 with multiport returnless fuel injection MDS and active exhaust

Horsepower (bhp): 485 @ 6,100 rpm
Torque (ft./lbs): 475 @ 4,200 rpm

Transmission: 8HP70 Eight-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shift controls and SRT selectable modes – street, custom, sport, and track. Also, Linelock launch control, Launch Assist, anti-spin differential rear axle and Performance shift indicator

Drive Train: Longitudinally mounted front / Rear-wheel drive.

Suspension: Front – Sport-tuned Independent SLA with high upper “A” arm, coil spring over gas-charged ADS Bilstein® shock absorbers and 32 mm hollow stabilizer bar, lateral and diagonal lower links.
Rear – Sport-tuned Five-link independent with coil springs, gas-charged monotube shock absorbers, stabilizer bar and isolated suspension cradle, ADS Bilstein shock absorbers, and isolated suspension cradle.

Brakes: Brembo fixed caliper four-wheel discs with ABS, ESC and Traction Control.

Tires: Pirelli P-Zero 305/35 ZR 20 107Y mounted on 5-“U”-spoke “Devil’s Rim” graphite painted alloy wheels.

Wheelbase: 120.2 inches
Length Overall: 200.8 inches
Width: 75.0 inches
Height: 58.2 inches
Curb Weight: 4,400 lbs.
Turning Circle: 37.5 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 15 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
Drag Coefficient: 0.335
0 – 60 mph: 4.3 seconds

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Published on: January 11, 2020

Filled Under: Automotive Reviews, Dodge

Views: 2119

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