Reports about the Dodge Challenger and Charger often focus on the range-topping SRT trims, but the brand makes the lesser versions of the models a little more interesting with new options on the way. The Shakedown Package adds aggressive accents, and separately the company revives two classic colors, too. The Shakedown Package and new shades are available to order now, and the first deliveries should be in a few months.
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The Shakedown Package's only exterior change is the addition a group of progressively thinner, asymmetrical black stripes that run over the body. Dodge says that the looks takes inspiration from the 1971 Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept from 2016 SEMA Show. The style of these dark lines give the already retro-inspired muscle car an even more vintage appearance, which fits well with its overall aesthetic. Inside, the option adds Alpine stereo and white gauge faces for the instruments. On the R/T Shaker the upgraded audio includes six speakers and a 275-watt amplifier; it includes nine speakers with a 506-watt amp on the R/T Shaker Plus and 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker. The Shakedown Package adds $995 to the Challenger's price.
In addition, Dodge brings B5 Blue and Plum Crazy back to wider availability on all Charger models, and the T/A, T/A Plus, and T/A 392 versions of the Challenger – even more trims get the shades later. Dodge originally introduced these vibrant hues during the muscle car heyday, and the company has revived them for versions of the modern models.
Both colors are part of Dodge's so-called High Impact Paint variety, including Panther Pink, Hemi Orange, Top Banana, Sassy Grass, and Go Mango. B5 Blue takes its name from the original paint code for the company's vibrant shade of cobalt. Plum Crazy has a more obvious meaning because of how wild the shade of purple looks. Dodge first introduced the indigo hue in 1970.
Source: Dodge
Gallery: Dodge Challenger Shakedown Package, Charger Colors
Dodge//SRT Shakes Things Up With New Heritage-inspired Options
Dodge//SRT continues to offer the ultimate in customization from the factory with the all-new Shakedown Package and iconic paint colors B5 Blue and Plum Crazy
The all-new Shakedown Package is now available on Challenger R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker and 392 HEMI® Scat Pack Shaker, adding a new Alpine audio system, white-face gauges on the instrument cluster and unique asymmetrical black racing exterior stripes – inspired by the 1971 Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept first shown at the 2016 SEMA show
Originally debuting in 1969 and 1970, respectively, B5 Blue and Plum Crazy hues span several generations of muscle-car collectors and enthusiasts and have been signature Dodge muscle car colors ever since
Iconic B5 Blue and Plum Crazy exterior paint colors available on all Charger models and Challenger T/A, T/A Plus and T/A 392 models (all other Challenger models late availability)
March 8, 2018 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge//SRT answers enthusiast demand with a wide variety of models, trims, engines, packages and some of the most recognizable high-impact and heritage hues designed to flaunt the legendary Dodge performance attitude. For the latest in customization on Challenger R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker and 392 HEMI® Scat Pack Shaker models, the all-new Shakedown Package is added to the vast array of stripe options available on Challenger.
“Dodge//SRT has a rich history of using iconic heritage and high-impact colors and unique graphics to make our vehicles look custom, straight from the factory,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and Fiat – FCA North America. “Whether a customer remembers B5 and Plum Crazy from when they were new in the ‘60s and ‘70s or they’re a new customer today, these paint colors and unique Shaker stripes stand out in the crowd and speak to our customers’ passion for their cars and their love of the Dodge and SRT brands.”
Uniting old-school muscle and modern styling, the Shakedown Package adds unique asymmetrical black racing stripes that flow up and over the rear decklid and roof, then around the Shaker hood scoop, white-face gauges on the instrument cluster and an upgraded Alpine audio system. With the upgraded audio system, the R/T Shaker receives six premium speakers and a 275-watt amplifier, and R/T Shaker Plus and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker receive nine premium speakers and a 506-watt amplifier. The Shakedown Package was inspired by the 1971 Dodge Shakedown Challenger that debuted at the 2016 SEMA show.
The Shakedown Package is available on the following Challenger models with all exterior colors for a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $995:
Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker:
Powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with up to 375 horsepower paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission, or available with the paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker:
Powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 485 best-in-class naturally aspirated horsepower paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission, or available with the paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
New for 2018, B5 Blue and Plum Crazy exterior paint colors are now available on all 2018 model-year Chargers and Challenger T/A, T/A Plus and T/A 392 models (all other Challenger models late availability), bringing a sense of nostalgia and powerful bursts of color to highways and dragstrips across the country.
Since 1969 and 1970, B5 Blue and Plum Crazy have been two of the most desired paint colors for the Dodge Challenger and Charger. Enthusiast demand is being answered with the return of these two iconic colors – as the signature paint color is directly associated with high collectability and the famed “Mopar-or-no-car” legacy. Factor in the widest performance range ever for the 2018 Challenger and Charger lineup and it’s a perfect time to paint the Dodge brand’s iconic muscle car arsenal with these nostalgic colors.
Most car shows or classic car auctions show examples of these colors that rolled out of the factory more than 40 years ago. Known as High Impact Paint (HIP), the roster included names such as Panther Pink, HEMI Orange, Top Banana, Sassy Grass, Go Mango and Plum Crazy.
About Dodge//SRT
Dodge//SRT offers a complete lineup of performance vehicles that stand out in their own segments. Dodge is FCA North America’s mainstream performance brand, and SRT is positioned as the ultimate performance halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and one voice.
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge, who founded the company in 1914. Their influence continues today. New for 2018, the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the fastest quarter-mile production car in the world and most powerful muscle car ever, is taking the world by storm, along with the new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT, America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV, and the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody. These new SRT ultimate performance models join a brand lineup that includes the Durango, Grand Caravan, Journey, Charger and Challenger, including the 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Charger SRT Hellcat, the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan in the world.