Chrysler specialist Mopar has recently announced a new performance package for the Dodge Charger. The package is called Redline and while the styling upgrades are quite significant, the most impressive part of the package is the engine upgrade.
“Since the 1960s, the Mopar Brand has built a long history of adding power and performance to the Dodge Charger and with the Redline, we Moparized the new Charger with modern-day performance and style while giving a nod to our storied past. With three kits, Mopar offers a tailored choice for every customer,” said Pietro Gorlier, Mopar’s CEO and president.
The new 2012 Dodge Charger Redline is available with three Mopar stage kits, all based on the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T.
The first stage kit includes mostly interior and exterior upgrades such as a Redline tri-coat paint, carbon fiber chin spoiler, two-piece grille finished in a body matching paint and with Mopar’s signature “crosshair” insert, carbon fiber door scoops, three-piece carbon fiber rear spoiler, 20-inch Mopar Black Envy Wheels, “R/T” badges that pay tribute to the legendary 1970 Dodge Charger, matte black vinyl roof graphic, aluminum instrument panel, Mopar stainless steel pedal covers and Mopar aluminum shift bezel.
The second stage kit improves the 2012 Charger’s handling and braking by featuring a new cat-back performance exhaust system that increases power output and also offers a more aggressive sound and a high performance braking system. Mopar engineers also managed to increase structural rigidity and handling dynamics by installing front tower cross-brace and brace caps.
However, the most impressive is the third stage kit. The engine used is a new version of the Gen III 426 HEMI V8 that delivers 220 hp more than the “regular” version powering the Charger R/T and which is aimed only for racing or off road use. The new crate engine is 100 lbs lighter than the cast-iron crate engine and delivers a total of 590 hp. There are a lot of upgrades Mopar engineers performed on this engine and I’m not going to go into details, except perhaps mention the forged-steel crankshaft and beam style rods, plus the tie bars that stabilize the valvetrain at high rpms.
The new Dodge Charger Redline by Mopar is scheduled to make world debut next week, at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show and while the Chrysler specialist hasn’t mentioned anything about the packages’ availability and pricing, more details will definitely be released once the Detroit show opens its gates.