Dodge Challenger, Charger Get Power-Reducing Security Feature

By now, everyone knows that the Dodge Challenger and Charger are some of the most powerful vehicles on the road. The two muscle cars don’t attempt to hide their performance, either, with aggressive body kits, large wheels, and massive exhaust systems. This makes them easy targets for thieves. Dodge is looking to make it harder for thieves and joyriders to enjoy all of the performance the Challenger and Charger have to offer with a new power-reducing security feature.

Dodge recently announced a new automotive software upgrade for Challenger and Charger models equipped with either the 6.4-liter 392 Hemi V8 engine or the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. The free update adds a second layer of security that requires owners to input a four-digit security code to get the vehicle to perform to its full potential. Without the code, vehicles with the security system are limited to idle only, which means they’re capped at roughly 2.8 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque.

“More than 150 cars are stolen every day in the United States,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer. “For any car owner, it's terrible, it's a hassle and it's a personal violation. Though statistically rare, car thieves have targeted the high-horsepower Dodge muscle cars, and we want the Dodge ‘Brotherhood’ to know we’re taking quick action and covering their backs.”

Dodge Challenger and Charger owners of 2015 to 2021 model year owners will be able to get the new security feature at no cost. The feature will be available in the second quarter of 2021 and requires a visit to a Dodge dealership to be installed.

This is the first time we’ve seen something like this from an automaker. A few brands have a feature in place that only allows drivers to access a certain amount of power, while others have performance data recorders that include in-car microphones and front cameras for drivers to see how the vehicle was being driven. More recently, we’ve seen Dodge introduce a two-key system with the two SRT Hellcat models where the regular black key limits the vehicle to 500 horsepower, while the red key unleashes the full 707 horsepower.

While a four-digit code won’t hold off a skilled hacker for long, it brings far more peace of mind for Challenger and Charger owners. It may seem simple, but we could see this feature drawing more consumers to Dodge’s high-performance muscle cars. It’s no secret that car thieves go after high-performance cars, so this free feature will certainly give owners one less thing to worry about.

At the top of the lineup, the Challenger SRT Super Stock only comes with a security alarm and a sentry key theft deterrent system as standard equipment. That doesn’t seem like a lot of security features for a car that costs $81,090 with destination. These two features are also found on the $80,090 Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

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