2014 Dodge Challenger Guide: Specs, Performance & More

For 2014, rumors were in the air of a re-freshening for the 6-year old design, but in the meantime, the Challenger rolled on very much like the new 2008 model. New packages, colors, and tech options make the similarities fade some, but the same overall sport coupe remained.

The downside to complacency was the competitors weren’t stopping their trend for amazing automobiles. The 2014 Mustang GT500 entered this year with a 662 horsepower punch to the gut and the Camaro Z28 hit the streets with 505hp and enough track savvy to impress even a seasoned racer.

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2014 Dodge Challenger Models

Challenger SXT, Plus & Rallye Redline

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As with the 2013 Challenger, the ’14 models carry over the same nomenclature and options. The base SXT is as low as one can go, but still carries 18″ rims, dual exhaust, A/C with temp control and more. At almost $27k, this is no longer the low-budget bargain from 2009.

SXT Plus and Rallye Redline models add all the options one could need for this level of performance. And, like any year, one would have to be cautious of getting too close to the R/T’s base sticker – as that gap was only around $3,500.

The engine also remained unchanged – with the same Pentastar V6 and 305 horses.

Challenger R/T

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The R/T model continues the Blacktop version and re-gains the Plus. The Plus version gains some comforts like Nappa trimmed seats, better sound system, remote start, and heated mirrors, but still remains the same animal as the base R/T. The Blacktop version retains all of the “blackened” items – grille, fuel door, rims, and adds performance steering and larger tires.

Like previous years, the R/T could be ordered with multiple stripe and color combos to augment the pavement-crushing performance. With the large 20″ rims and the 375hp growl emanating from the exhaust, the car would be as formidable in presence as it was at performing.

Challenger SRT392

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As I stated earlier, the 2014 year would be a treacherous one for performance Challengers. With the Mustang breathing 662hp and the Camaro heaving 505hp into the ring, the 470hp SRT392 was just plain over-matched.

So, yes the Camaro is $25k more and the Mustang some $10k higher. Why the comparo then? Well, these are the best of the breeds and the Challenger SRT392 is being man-handled in a big way. The 2014 Mustang GT500 flat-out runs away from the SRT and the Camaro Z28, though just a small amount quicker, is track-ready enough to obliterate the SRT on anything but a straight line.

Time for some spinach, Popeye?

Dodge did make a small concession for 2014 adding the Core version of the SRT392. A more “stripped-down” version of the standard SRT, the Core would be slightly lighter and a bunch less expensive. Slightly intrusive to the R/T’s pricing, the $39,990 price tag would make the Core one of the best performance values in the world – and – make the chart above a bit superfluous.

Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition

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No, the Challenger has not been around for 100 years. This is an edition commemorating the Dodge Brothers’ first model Dodge – the Model 30. Produced some 6 years before both would fall to illnesses, the car was a brilliant success.

The Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition was available in 8 colors – including the High Octane Red that was exclusive to the 100th edition. Available with the V6 or V8 engines, the car would have badges, logos, and a book on Dodge’s 100 years heritage.

Challenger Mopar & Shaker

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Another feather to the  2014 Challenger style cap was the addition of the Mopar and Shaker editions. The Shaker edition includes the famous – and functional – hood scoop that is reminiscent of the early ’70’s R/T models. Available are multiple stripe options and a color-matched grille is standard.

The Mopar edition has the typical blue-on-black paint and for 2014 offers white as an option. Included are other “black” options that include a grille, a glossed rear wing, and blackened 20″ rims. Unlike the Shaker model, the Mopar would be limited to around 100 copies.

Both of these editions add around $3,000 to the normal R/T package.

2014 Challenger Quick Specifications

Unchanging as the winds, the Challenger’s performance is still facing the same positives and negatives.

• The SXT engine is still weak-kneed and in need of new energy.
• The R/T is still positioned below the Mustang GT’s price and faster than the Mustang V6.
• SRT392 is now at the very bottom of the super sports coupe pile but gets a breath of life from the Core model’s cheap pricing.

2014 Dodge Challenger Interior

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Interior choices are the most plentiful as any Challenger made. There were some 8 different styles and multiple combos to go along with them. Nappa leather was still the fabric of choice and though the Challenger was having performance issues, you could count on a rich appointed interior and the style that went along with it.

Photo Source: Dodge.com

2014 Dodge Challenger Wheels

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2014’s offerings in shoe style are almost unchanged from last year and that is a very good thing. Challenger’s have always carried class-leading styled rims (IMHO) and 2014 has a variety of them enough for the pickiest of shoppers.

The 20″ Heritage II aluminum rim was the big change from the previous year’s line-up and it looks stunning on the R/T.

2014 Dodge Challenger Colors

Thankfully style has come back to the Challenger lineup of colors. Header Orange, Plum Crazy, and Torred are back to give some history and flare to the stylish coupe. Most of the other colors are carry-overs and give both simple and formal options to the mix. Ivory was added as another bright option as well.

2014 Dodge Challenger Option Packages

Sound Group:

276-watt amplifier and 6 Boston Acoustics speakers

Sound Group II:

Media center 430 AM/FM stereo w/6-disc CD/DVD/MP3 changer, 30GB hard drive w/6700 song capacity, (7) Boston Acoustics speakers w/subwoofer, 368-watt amplifier, 6.5″ touch screen

Harmon Kardon Audio Group:

900-watt amplifier, 18 Harmon Kardon speakers, and tire service kit (replaces spare).

Super Sport Group:

20 x 8.0 aluminum chrome-clad wheels, 245/45R20 all-season performance BSW tires, 3.06 rear axle ratio, 4-wheel anti-lock performance disc brakes, Firestone brand tires, body-color/rear body-color spoiler, steering wheel paddle shifters, performance steering, performance suspension (REQ: 26G CPOS Pkg)

Electronics Convenience Group:

Body-color power heated mirrors w/fold-away, remote start system, security alarm, temp & compass gauge, tire pressure monitor display, universal garage door opener *Deletes remote start system w/DEC transmission

Super Track Pak:

P245/45ZR20 all-season performance BSW tires, 4-wheel anti-lock disc HD brakes, sport suspension, performance steering w/variable displacement, Goodyear brand tires.

Sinister Super Sport Group:

20″ black aluminum rims, P245/45R20 all-season performance tires, 4-wheel anti-lock disc HD brakes, 3.07 rear axle ratio, rear body-color spoiler, performance steering, and suspension, steering wheel paddle shifters, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Uconnect Voice Command, and remote USB port.

2014 Dodge Challenger Production Figures

With the lack of design or engine changes, the Challenger had its smallest increase in sales since its 2008 inception. At just 149 more Challengers sold than in 2013, the model was in jeopardy of losing sales in its next year. It didn’t happen, but Chrysler Corp had to make some changes for 2015 in order to make sure.

Source: GoodCarBadCar.net

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