What Is The Dodge Scat Pack

The current Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger Scat Pack models are two of today’s most thrilling muscle cars. In fact, each member of this dynamic duo can go straight from driveway to drag strip without missing a beat. And once they arrive, they can both leverage their Hemi V8 engines to run the quarter-mile in the low-12-second range. That kind of impressive performance has deep roots in Dodge history, too. 

The first Scat Pack actually took its cues from the Rat Pack. But while Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. were swinging their way through the 1960s, the Dodge team was pure rock and roll. It brought together some of the brand’s most powerful classic muscle cars under one advertising banner. Yet despite its start as a marketing gimmick, the Scat Pack Club was serious about performance. 

Original Scat Pack members from 1968 included the Coronet Super Bee, the Dart GTS and the Charger R/T — which was available with a 426-cubic-inch HEMI that could unleash 425 horsepower. The same engine helped the Challenger join the club when it debuted in 1970. 

Over time, the Scat Pack morphed into more of a Scat package. It referred to dedicated performance-enhancing equipment bundles, often featuring Mopar aftermarket goodies. The latest evolution of the Scat Pack is a track-friendly trim level for the Challenger coupe and Charger sedan. As we discovered, though, that hasn’t changed is the Scat Pack’s ability to scoot. We also want to point out that beyond their hi-po powertrains, the most recent Scat Pack models offer many of Dodge’s latest upscale amenities. Among the highlights: an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, heated and ventilated front seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system. 

The heart of the matter for the Dodge Charger Scat Pack is a 392-cubic-inch Hemi V8. That 6.4-liter engine packs 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. Also standard on this Charger model are a high-performance suspension, Brembo brakes, and functional hood scoops. The Scat Pack’s mascot — the Super Bee — makes a prominent appearance as well. 

If you really want to sting the competition, the Scat Pack Widebody model is the way to go. Massive fender flares give the Widebody its name — and an extra 3.5 inches of width versus the standard Scat Pack. Tucked into those flared fenders are fatter wheels, but don’t worry: You can still see those Brembo brake calipers peeking through. Nor is this just an appearance package. The Widebody boasts a standard three-mode Bilstein suspension for the twisty parts of the road. For the straightaways, you can enjoy a 0-to-60 time of just 4.3 seconds. 

The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack combines the same high-performance hardware as the Charger — but in a more nimble, two-door coupe body style. The bottom line is that it’s quicker and faster than its bigger sibling. For example, third-party outlets have clocked the Challenger version sprinting from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds. Of course, that’s with the available 1320 package. This setup is so committed to the quarter-mile that it ditches the back seat to lower its weight. The effort pays off, since the car can cover the requisite 1,320 feet in 11.7 seconds.

Finally, the Challenger R/T Scat Pack does let you connect its 485-horsepower V8 to an eight-speed automatic transmission, like the Charger Scat Pack. However, another way the Challenger version stays true to its old-school origins is with a standard six-speed manual transmission for hardcore enthusiasts.