Mopar will give the Dodge Challenger a Viper ACR makeover for SEMA.
For those who’re wondering what all those little econo-cars are doing at this year’s SEMA Show, don’t worry. The annual aftermarket extravaganza hasn’t abandoned the muscle that normally covers the wide aisles of the Las Vegas Conventional Center.
Chrysler and its Italian partner Fiat, for one thing, plan to fill their floor space with 30 “Mopar-ized” models this year, including a Mopar-modified Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR and the Chrysler 300 SF6.
“The aftermarket is a $34 billion-a-year industry and SEMA is the perfect place to showcase everything that Mopar has to offer,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Chrysler’s service, parts and customer care division.
Long operating in the shadows, Mopar is making a move into the limelight, both by expanding its catalogue of parts and accessories and, starting with the 2010 Dodge Challenger Mopar ‘10, a limited edition muscle car, putting its name on a series of limited-edition performance machines.
Mopar will have 30 modified Chrysler and Fiat show cars on the stand at SEMA, including the Ram Quick Silver.
While it’s unclear whether any of the SEMA concepts will follow into production, Gorlier recently told TheDetroitBureau.com that Mopar is planning to offer even more branded products going forward.
The highlights of the Chrysler SEMA stand will be a Mopar-modified Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR, which gets an upgraded suspension, shifter, aero body modifications, freer-flowing exhaust and striking 20-inch wheels. The paint scheme is intended to evoke a sense of déjà vu, recalling the colors of the classic Dodge Viper ACR.
Mopar takes on the Chrysler brand’s new 300S with its 300 SF6, a concept honoring the annual Spring Festival that 300 owners stage in Southern California. The parts division digs deep into its bin and comes up with a range of tweaks including a distinctive interior with Katzkin leather perforated seats and 22-inch Savini Mono Di Forza SM3 aluminum wheels are wrapped with 265/35 R22 front and 295/30 R22 rear performance tires.
To enhance performance and handling, the Chrysler 300 SF6 gets a coil-over suspension, upgraded brakes, and a variety of engine upgrades including modified cold-air intake, headers and exhaust.
On the truck side, there’s the Dodge Durango Tow Hook image vehicle designed by Mopar Underground. It gets a vibrant four-coat orange and satin-black color scheme inside and out.
The Ram brand scores with the Ram 392 Quick Silver. The show car began life as a 2011 Ram R/T, but for SEMA gets a 470 horsepower, 392 HEMI V-8 from the SRT lineup mated to the R/T’s 4.10 gear set and a high-stall converter. For additional performance, the Ram 392 is equipped with a cold-air intake kit and headers featuring an electronic exhaust cutout for maximum power and sound at the track.
Mopar didn’t ignore the newest and smallest of the Chrysler/Fiat family and will reveal a variety of modified Fiat 500s, including one it suggests it has “discretely tuned” for performance enthusiasts who don’t need to be overly flashy. Also designed by the Mopar Underground Team, the Fiat 500 Titanium gets a Matte Titanium remake, including a sculpted front fascia with pronounced honeycomb grille to help improve engine cooling. Under the skin it gets such performance and handling modifications as a cold-air intake, cat-back exhaust, lowered springs and strut tower bracing.