LAS VEGAS — One of the most extreme vehicles at the 2008 SEMA Show is the 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger, which takes lots of risks in its quest to be a game changer in the growing motorsport of drifting.
"It's trick," said Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa. "I can't believe how far they went."
The Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger gets such unusual touches as inline skate wheels in the rear bumpers that allow the driver to ride the wall. "As a driver slides around a turn and comes close to the wall, he can actually touch the wall with the rollerblade wheels," said Cappa. "They are integrated into the structure of the vehicle to allow it to run as close to the wall as possible."
This SEMA Challenger also stands apart from the pack because Chrysler intended it to be a full-blown racing car that uses the body lines of the Dodge Challenger. The body itself is made of carbon fiber to reduce weight. Other exterior cues include a carbon fiber front splitter and a carbon fiber rear wing for improved aerodynamics. Safety components include a full roll cage and a five-point harness.
Power is delivered via a Mopar A8 aluminum engine that churns out an estimated 850 horsepower and 849 pound-feet of torque.
"We're pumped up about launching this car, doing some testing over the winter and getting it ready to rock, and then taking home some victories next year," said Samuel Hubinette, Team Mopar driver and two-time Formula Drift champion.
Inside Line says: Definitely one of the 2008 SEMA showstoppers. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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