HXC Performance marketing 'Cuda conversion for Dodge Challenger

When Chrysler gave its Plymouth brand the axe, many storied name-plates were orphaned -- none of them more legendary than the Hemi 'Cuda. As the Mopar brand began teasing the world with its pony car revival, otherwise known as the Dodge Challenger, a great many fans of the classic Barracuda were left wishing that their childhood dreams of driving off the showroom floor in a brand new Hemi-powered Plymouth muscle car could finally be fulfilled. And so they might. HXC Performance is currently hard at work designing a retrofit kit that would transform the Dodge Challenger into a proper Plymouth 'Cuda. Many aficionado's believe that the 1971 'Cuda was the best looking year, and it's on this model that HXC chose to base its conversion. Included is a new grille, fender "gills" (which were only used in '71), Shaker hood, tail lights and a new rear valance.

To up the performance ante of the standard HEMI-powered R/T model, a Brembo brake package and suspension upgrade will also be included, as will a few engine option packages that can bump the power up to 475 horsepower. Mustang and Camaro owners may now have one more reason to keep an eye on their rear-view mirrors, mimicking countless scenes from the muscle car glory years of the early '70s.

SMS releases new images, price range for 570 and 570X Challenger

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Steve Saleen's fledgling new company, SMS Supercars, is getting ready to officially debut its first production car and has released a few more photos and information regarding the 570 and 570X Challenger. According to the new press release, the two models are targeted to start at $60,000 and $70,000, respectively. Yes, that's quite a chunk of change, but SMS is making it worthwhile with an extensive list of upgrades. Starting with the powertrain, the SMS 296 supercharger pushes massive amounts of air to the 5.7L HEMI, and true enthusiasts will be glad to know that a proper 6-speed manual transmission will be doing the shifting. Both models also get a high performance suspension, exhaust, 20-inch wheels, and 14-inch front and 12-inch rear brakes. For the exterior, SMS replaces the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and hood, and adds a rear spoiler. The 570X model also receives carbon fiber front and rear splitters, a carbon fiber diffuser, and a rear wing that replaces the spoiler. The interior receives upgrades as well, including two-tone leather sport seats, leather door inserts, a leather grip shifter, 200-mph gauge cluster, and auxiliary gauges for the supercharger. Each vehicle will also be personally signed by Steve Saleen. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the gallery below.

SEMA Preview: Dodge Mopar Challenger Targa and Blacktop

Click either image for a high-res gallery of Dodge's SEMA-bound Challengers

While a V10-powered Challenger is devilishly delectable, our Mopar-loving hearts beat for something a bit more balanced with a healthy dose of motorsports cred. To that end, Dodge created the Challenger Targa to campaign in the Targa Newfoundland enduro earlier this year.

Affectionately known as "Samantha," the Challenger began its existence as a Mopar Challenger drag race car, complete with a 392 HEMI V8 crate motor putting 540 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels via a Tremec six-speed manual and a modified rear diff. The green hue of the Challenger Targa is pulled from the Viper, but the snake's influence doesn't stop at aesthetics. A KW race-ready suspension, six-piston calipers with 380mm Stop-Tech rotors (front) and 355mm, rear discs with four-pot calipers are all culled from the V10 'Ring-slayer.

In addition to the Targa model, Dodge and Mopar will debut the Challenger Blacktop at SEMA, retaining the 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed manual gearbox. Most of the modifications focus on style, including the black-on-black racing stripe paint scheme, custom spoilers and front brow. A Mopar coilover kit drops the Blacktop over 22-inch Viper wheels created by Factory Reproductions and wrapped in 265/35/R22 (front) and 305/30/R22 (rear) Dunlop rubber. A Mopar cat-back exhaust and cold air intake remain the only modifications to the engine, and if the V8's sound isn't intoxicating enough, a Kicker audio system will keep the Blacktop's driver entertained while bombing along Highway 15 on their way to the SEMA festivities in Sin City.

Gallery: Mopar Underground Challenger Targa

SEMA Preview: 900-HP Super Challenger and Super 'Cuda

Click above for a larger image of Mr. Norm's Super Challenger

The new Dodge Challenger is offering tuners one of the hottest platforms to work with since the Mustang in 2005, and there will no doubt be plenty of different variations on the floor at SEMA in just a few weeks. We don't know if we'll be able to spot them all, but we are definitely going to be keeping our eyes out for these two bad boys built by Mr. Norm's Garage. Who's Mr. Norm, you ask? He's the legendary owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge that was famous for building some of the fastest Mopars in the country. Mr. Norm is now working his magic on the current Dodge lineup, and will be be showcasing the two Challengers you see here. The Super Challenger features a supercharged version of the 6.1L Hemi putting out 900 tire-shredding horsepower plus Rodtana forged wheels, Hotchkis suspension upgrades, massive SSBC brakes, and a custom front spoiler and side scoops. The other Challenger features similar performance upgrades but has been converted to replicate the legendary AAR Cuda. Full details on both cars can be found in the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE:

Holy horsepower! It's Mr. Norm and his Super Challenger.

Armed with a pavement pounding 900 horsepower Kenne Bell supercharged and intercooled 6.1 Hemi engine, the Super Challenger is the new Sheriff in town. The neon lit streets and shadowy alleys are rife with pimped out sedans, wicked coupes, and other automotive scum. Life is over for these creatures of the night, 'cause Mr. Norm and the Super Challenger are here to run 'em out of Dodge.

Just the sight of the Super Challenger strikes fear into the hearts of carminals everywhere. With its Jet Black body and Blazing Red stripe, punctuated with the legendary Mark of Mr. Norm on the front fenders, they'll know that they've more than met their match when they face off against the Super Challenger.

And no super heroes ride would be complete without a Katzkin custom leather interior. The guts of the Super Challenger exudes Mr. Norm's take no prisoners attitude, with its black leather and contrasting red accents. Our hero grabs gears with a Hurst Pistol Grip Shifter, the most powerful shifter in the world. Do 'ya feel lucky, punk?

Mr. Norm's Super Challenger forged wheels by Rodtana wear Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires that grip the asphalt with cat woman like claws. Hotchkis Performance created the lowered suspension that provides the crouching, ready to strike stance, while SSBC 8 Piston Disc Brakes are ready to take a Big Bite out of crime.

The bellicose sound produced by the Corsa Performance exhaust on the Super Challenger may wake up the dead in its attempt to muffle the 900 horsepower raging elephant that resides just beneath the Mopar Six Pack hood, but it's music to Mr. Norm's ears. And the Super Challenger's front spoiler and side scoops by Hulst Customs provide the finishing touch to the exterior, providing proof positive that badass really is beautiful.

Introducing the Mr. Norm's Super Cuda.

Drawing inspiration from its race bred relative, the legendary 1970 AAR Cuda, the Super Cuda features a dramatic restyling package that matches heart stopping good looks with heart pounding performance.

Amplifying its presence, the Super Cuda features a modern interpretation of the classic Cuda grille and tail panel, coupled with an aggressive front spoiler that infuses it with undeniable character. Reinforcing the theme, the sides of the Hemi Orange Super Cuda are boldly accented with satin black strobe stripes by Sharpline Converting that match the sinister Sherwin-Williams Planet Color Badass Black that covers the hood and adjacent surfaces, much like its storied ancestor. Inside, the cockpit features a Hurst Shifter for precise shifting of the five speed transmission, a Katzkin "Barracuda" custom leather interior with Hemi Orange perforated inserts and Super Cuda monogrammed carpet mats by Designer Mat.

And if all that's not enough, just wait 'til you push the start button and awaken the wild 900 horsepower Kenne Bell supercharged 16 plug HEMI engine. Singing its siren song through a low restriction Corsa Performance cat back dual exhaust system, the Super Cuda balances tire smoking power with a tuned suspension engineered by Hotchkis Performance. Insuring fade free stops from high speed are massive Stainless Steel Brakes V8 8-Piston calipers. Rolling stock consists of Rodtana 22" modular wheels matched with Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico ultra high performance tires.

Add it all up and you've got the new Mr. Norm's Super Cuda, the street lethal sport coupe. Armed with nothing less than a ground pounding 6.1 Hemi engine, it's complemented by a chassis with just the right mix of components to harness its power. The Super Cuda looks like a wolf in wolfs clothing, because it is. This is one vehicle that speaks loudly and carries a very big stick.

SEMA 2008: Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept

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The opportunity for SRT engineering to “one-up” itself comes to fruition with the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept. Power for the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept comes from the Dodge Viper 8.4-liter, all-aluminum V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb. ft. of torque. This new halo concept delivers the well-known SRT credo of benchmark performance.

The Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept includes a fresh coat of Tornado Red paint with a carbon-fiber deck lid and hood. The “shaker hood” is a nostalgic representation of the 1970 HEMI Cuda, giving the 600-hp Viper V-10 engine room to breathe. Brakes have been upgraded and BILSTEIN® shocks at all four corners improve handling balance. The interior boasts sport seats and carbon-fiber accents throughout and, of course, true to the Viper-powered vehicle lineage, a red engine start push-button in the dash.