Mopar times four: Drag Challenger, luxury Ram and two crazy Jeeps head for SEMA

Mopar times four: Drag Challenger,
luxry Ram and 
two crazy Jeeps head for SEMA

In a telltale sign that Chrysler is rediscovering some mojo, the Mopar squad is bringing four eye-catching rides to the SEMA show next month that play to its base of enthusiasts who like gutsy sheetmetal--and who like to drive it fast and go anywhere.

Front and center at the Las Vegas spectacle will be a 556-hp Dodge Challenger, a luxuriously--yes, luxuriously--appointed Dodge Ram and two Jeep Wranglers, one of which turns into a mobile campsite.
“The aftermarket is not an afterthought in our design studio,” said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's design chief and CEO of the newly created Dodge car brand.


The Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320:

takes its name from the 1,320 feet on a quarter-mile drag strip. As the moniker implies, it's based on the Mopar drag pack, which is a stripped-down, lightweight racing version of the Challenger. It draws power from a 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8 paired with a six-speed manual and Hurst shifter. The Hemi's growl is augmented by custom side pipes for more rumble.
This muscle car rides on Mopar police wheels, which are widened in the rear. It also gets a four-corner coil-over kit, and carbon-fiber parts include the hood, hood scoop and front spoiler. Dodge also dips into the Viper parts bin for the seats. The package is capped by yellow, almost green paint and black graphics.


The Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco:

is based on a Hemi-powered Ram 1500. This luxury truck gets a Mopar carpet in the bed, body kit and fender flares, as well as a hard tonneau.
It's lowered with a Ground Force kit that also enhances handling. The truck rides on 22-inch wheels, and other fittings include a cold-air intake and dual exhaust.


The Mopar Jeep Wrangler Overland:

transforms a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon into a go-anywhere campsite, and its name is a nod to the history of Jeep. The rear seats are removed for more cargo space, a tent is mounted to the cargo rack and the seats are water-resistant.
The off-road experience is bolstered by an American Expedition Vehicles three-inch suspension lift and full traction rear sway bar. The truck rides on 35-inch tires. Other features include AEV steel bumpers and more lights for nighttime driving in the desert or the wilderness.


The Mopar Jeep Lower Forty:

is hallmarked by crazy 40-inch tires mounted on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. It's based on a Wrangler Rubicon, and the idea is to raise things without disrupting the center of gravity, thus there's no suspension lift.
The windshield is chopped three inches and it gets a 10-degree rake. There are custom fender flares and a carbon-fiber hood. The truck also gets a roll cage, Katzkin two-tone leather seats and a custom cargo rack. Power comes from a Hemi V8 that worked with a six-speed Getrag manual transmission