Adding a bit more profile and performance to the lineup, the 2012 Dodge Challenger Rallye Redline made its debut over the weekend at this year’s Spring Festival of LXs in Irvine, California. Now in its seventh year, the annual event is the largest owner gathering of Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers, Dodge Magnums and Chrysler 300s in North America.
Based on the current Challenger SXT Plus model and available in Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Bright White and Pitch Black, the new Challenger Rallye Redline is most clearly distinguished by a prominent Redline Red stripe that bisects the car from nose to tail. It’s complemented by 20-inch Pitch Black alloy wheels with Redline Red accenting and a body-color decklid spoiler. Inside, this cheeky Challenger variant raises its style benchmark with cabin appointments in Dark Slate or optional Radar Red Nappa leather to go along with a lengthy roster of standards that includes Chrysler‘s Uconnect hands-free phone, a 276-watt audio system with six Boston Acoustic speakers, SIRIUS/XM satellite radio with 12-month subscription, Keyless Enter ‘n Go, and six standard airbags.
While the 305-horsepower/3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and five-speed Auto Stick transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters remain unchanged from SXT Plus spec, the new Challenger Rallye Redline features a deeper 3.06:1 rear axle ratio in place of the standard 2.65:1 cog, a change that should deliver slightly quicker 0-60 times. Even more formidable changes have been made to the suspension system, which is bolstered by the fitment of the Super Sport Group that nets stiffer springs and shock absorbers, larger anti-roll bars and quicker, higher-effort power steering. Also in the Rallye Redline mix are larger, upgraded brakes and the aforementioned 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/45 all-season performance tires instead of the standard issue 235/55 rubber on 18-inch rims.
The new 2012 Dodge Challenger Rallye Redline is set to arrive in showrooms next month. Pricing starts at $29,670.
