Dodge muscle cars will go electric, but first it's building the world's most powerful SUV
Fiat Chrysler's Head of Passenger Car Brands, Tim Kuniskis, says the future of muscle cars is electric, but the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat gets its power form a supercharged V8.
Dodge's muscle cars are some of the fastest vehicles on the road today, but don't plan on making a quick getaway in one ... if you're a car thief.
2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock
The automaker is rolling out a new two-factor authentication system for its 6.4-liter and supercharged 6.2-liter V8-powered Challenger and Charger models that will only allow them to run at idle until the driver inputs a four-digit code into the uConnect infotainment system screen.
The idea is to foil the growing number of thefts that are being accomplished by spoofing remote keyfobs with intercept devices that steal their codes, or when owners simply leave them in or near their cars.
Dodge Hellcat models already come with two keyfobs, including a black one that limits power to 500 hp. (Dodge)
The high-power Challengers and Chargers are common targets for thieves. A few have even been stolen straight from the factory parking lot.
The cars can still be started and driven without the second-level security entered, but the 675 rpm restriction limits them to 2.8 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly less than the 485-807 hp and 475-707 lb-ft the engines are capable of. It's essentially an extreme version of the existing performance-restricting Valet Mode. Models with automatic transmissions can be shifted into Drive, but will remain in first gear, while manual transmission cars add a third level of security in their own way.
Another obstacle for thieves: hills, or even slight grades. Dodge said the cars can pretty much only be driven on flat ground in this mode.
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The security system will start rolling out on new models before July and owners of current cars back to the 2015 model year can bring them to a dealer to get a free upgrade.
This story has been updated with additional information