Dodge Scat Pack: Performance, What It Is, How Much It Costs (2024)

Summary

The Dodge Scat Pack is a group of cars equipped with specific parts that allow them to hit the quarter-mile mark in under 14 seconds.
The Scat Pack has a historical background, dating back to the late 1960s, and is associated with classic Dodge models like the Charger R/T and Coronet R/T.
The Dodge Challenger and Charger Scat Pack models offer powerful performance, with a V-8 engine and impressive acceleration, although they may lack in steering feel and corner-turning ability.

We all know what a "pack" is, which actually could mean several things, and it could be a noun or verb. Perhaps the best definition in this sense is a group of wild animals, that live and hunt together, like wolves for example. Now for "scat," as a verb, means to go away or leave. In terms of Dodge, "scat" could also refer to, "get out of here!" Meanwhile, "pack" could come from Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack.

Whatever definition one would like to use, the Dodge Scat Pack today signifies a group of cars equipped with a particular pack of parts, that allow them to hit the quarter-mile mark in under 14 seconds. These cars will definitely get up and go!

This article draws historical and current relative information from MotorTrend, as well as a review from Car And Driver. Also, Edmunds was utilized to reflect the used market. Finally, dealer websites were also consulted.

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Scat Pack History

Dodge Scat Pack: Performance, What It Is, How Much It Costs (1)

The year 1968 marks the original Scat Pack moniker for the automaker, and along with the Charger R/T, this included the classic Dodge Scat Pack Coronet R/T and Dart GTS. These were "the cars with the bumblebee stripes." It appears that this Scat Pack program was the first to gather several vehicles under the umbrella of the same theme. One can actually trace the history of the original Scat Pack through 1960s advertising, to denote performance changes and different styling cues:

Dodge Challenger Scat Pack

Dodge Scat Pack: Performance, What It Is, How Much It Costs (2)

Born again in the 2000s, the Dodge Challenger has ridden the same body style for quite some time, but it did receive a refresh in 2015. The significance here is that this is also the year that the Scat Pack returned, a theme that originated in the late 1960s. Today, in terms of the Challenger, that means the R/T Scat Pack that also comes in Widebody format. With the second generation Scat Pack coming around in 2015, the Widebody wasn't available until after 2018's Demon materialized with such styling.

2023 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Specs

Engine	6.4 Liter V-8
Engine Output	485 horsepower; 475 pound-feet of torque
Transmission	Six-speed manual; Eight-speed automatic
Curb Weight	4,274 pounds
0-60 MPH	4.2 seconds
1/4 Mile	11.7 seconds @ 116 MPH
Starting MSRP	$50,860; $56,855 (Widebody)

Once a car that used to weigh even more, this Challenger has trimmed quite a bit of fat. The big V-8 puts out numbers that indicate no slouch, and the run times of the muscle car coupe reflect that. Though most enthusiasts of such cars prefer the manual transmission, it's interesting that Car and Driveractually prefers the automatic. This isn't just because it is faster or more convenient, although it does have an incredible throttle response, but also because the stick shift has a slushy feeling. Nevertheless, the manual transmission option is a welcomed return, as this is the final year of the HEMI engine and it's supercharged variants.

Dodge Charger Scat Pack

Dodge Scat Pack: Performance, What It Is, How Much It Costs (3)

While the Challenger has the most room in the back seat compared to rivals from Ford and Chevrolet, if a MOPAR fan has a family, perhaps the best option remains a four-door sedan. Enter the Dodge Challenger, another revived moniker, but with the four-door treatment that its predecessor lacked. More than a decade into its current generation, the Charger has received updates to keep it relevant, but now perhaps it is in need of something more.

2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Specs

Engine	6.4 Liter V-8
Engine Output	485 horsepower; 475 pound-feet of torque
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Curb Weight	4,394 pounds
0-60 MPH	4.3 seconds
1/4 Mile	12.4 seconds @ 115 MPH
Starting MSRP	$52,925; $58,920 (Widebody)

Equipped with the same engine, the Charger is automatic only. Being that is it a bigger car, it is also heavier. Both vehicles are fast in a straight line, as an old-school muscle car was meant to be, but both do lack steering feel and corner-turning prowess. Somehow, the Charger sedan is almost as quick and fast as the Challenger. It's notable that both cars are available in all-wheel drive, in addition to the standard rear-wheel drive setup, but this does not include the Scat Pack or higher trims. All things considered, the Charger is more expensive than its Charger sibling, and the Widebody package ups the cost for both.

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Why A Scat Pack Over Alternatives?

Today's Scat Pack Dodge cars resonate with enthusiasts through the Challenger and Charger. The basic Scat Pack for both cars comes in either narrow or Widebody format. However, there is another configuration, one that is rarer and less recognizable. This would be a Scat Pack 1320, which features a different bee logo. Here the bee is looking forward as opposed to behind, and it is wearing a racing helmet. The numbers of "1320," underneath the bee give the car away. This car has Nexen drag radials on all corners, and it is equipped with all the Demon racing goodies, apart from the engine of course:

41-spline rear half shafts
Line-lock for burnouts
Demon trans brake
Demon drag-orientated active suspension

Despite not having the Demon's supercharged (up to) 840-hp mill, the 1320 gets its designation from the number of feet in a quarter-mile. Of all the Scat Pack variants, it is perhaps this one that is the most unfamiliar. Notably, the 1320 is narrow body only, as maybe the fastest naturally aspirated muscle car.

Speaking of the Demon, cars like this are very specific and limited. The same goes for the 170 variant and other "Last Call" models that were released to commemorate the end of the HEMI era. Everyone likes to talk about the Hellcats, with their own supercharged engines, which are still expensive despite being more attainable. Right now Scat Packs can be had in the high $20,000 to low $60,000 range, but mostly in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. This is still a car with Brembo performance brakes, line lock, launch assist, and launch control.

If one wants old-school American V-8 muscle, there really is no better option than the retro-looking Dodge. The Mustang GT might be faster, and the Camaro LT1 might be cheaper, but neither has as much space nor rear seat legroom. The horsepower hits the sweet spot, in between the 5.7 liter, and below the Hellcat engine. It might even be almost as cheap to get a brand-new one versus used.

The precursor to the Scat Pack is actually the SRT 392, which sold concurrently with the former for a time, up until 2018. Not as well known, it features larger six-piston Brembo brakes, wider tires, a Nappa leather interior, a 900-watt stereo, and a Bilstein adaptive handling suspension. First offered for sale in 2011, the SRT 392 features the same engine as the Scat Pack, with the same output in the concurrent years. Therefore, it is actually a more well-equipped car for less, just not officially dubbed a Scat Pack.

All in all, today's Scat Pack is a worthy successor to the originals. Coming as a Challenger or Charger, in either narrow or Widebody format, there's a car for everyone. Even though the better-equipped SRT 392 could be the best deal, if it's the Scat Pack name that matters, the Scat Pack is more attainable compared to higher-end Dodge alternatives. With the HEMI going away for good after the 2023 model year, what else is there to wait for?