The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak for 2015 is new and improved over the previous version. Image via Dodge.com

Mopar is finally offering a factory supercharged engine option for racers. The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak gives Sportsman racers a supercharged HEMI 354 CID or normally-aspirated 426 HEMI engine. Availability begins in late July. Mopar originally signified high performance and the Challenger Drag Pak is a return to those roots. It’s a factory-prepped package that is specifically designed for drag racing. The package was revealed recently at the FCA US LLC Chelsea Proving Grounds and is built around the successful Challenger platform.

The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is engineered for Sportsman racers who are serious about their participation in the NHRA drag racing series. Latest Sportsman racing technologies, a variety of improvements and upgrades from the earlier Drag Pak, and unique design cues taken from the Challenger heritage fill out the new Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak.

Both versions sport their own color and graphics scheme. Image via newspressusa.com

According to President and CEO of Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA Pietro Gorlier, “Today, we write the next page in our performance playbook with the reveal of the product Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, a vehicle that offers, for the first time, a supercharged engine that provides our racers more options. Our brand is committed to supporting Mopar drivers who compete at all levels. In 2014, we debuted a new Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock car that won right out of the gate. In 2015, our new Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car did the same. Now, Mopar is supercharging our Sportsman racers.”

The factory 354 under the hood has a cast iron block with a forged steel crank, a custom performance engine calibration, and a Mopar spec cam. The nomenclature used, 354, pays homage to the fact that the original Gen1 HEMI engines displaced 354 cubic inches. Exterior badging proclaims the presence of the supercharged 354 HEMI under the hood.

Close up of the supercharged 354 CID HEMI. Image via newspressusa.com

Pressed-in steel liners and aluminum cylinder heads are used with the Mopar aluminum block underpinning the naturally-aspirated 426 HEMI. Custom engine calibration similar to that used in the supercharged engine is used in the 426. Custom exterior badging and graphics are also added to the 426 option. The transmission used with both engines in the new Drag Pak is an upgraded version of the previous generation’s automatic that features special race-prepping.

Interior styling is also inspired by and for drag racing. Image via Dodge.com

The Drag Pak features a unique Mopar K-Member and suspension geometry in the front. Double adjustable compression and rebound struts are used. The rear suspension is based around a Strange Engineering four—inch solid axle with a nine-inch aluminum third member and 40-spline gun drilled axles with a four-link Panhard bar, There’s a fairly solid sway/anti-roll bar as well as adjustable compression and rebound shocks. This version of the car is able to launch harder and faster because the rear axle mounting has been strengthened from the previous generation.

Exhilaration and acceleration are the result of the mods and upgrades.

There are other race=specific modifications throughout as well. These include special tie-downs for trailer transport and special lighter wheels front and rear. Making between round tuning easier, the rear of the hood has been hinged. The whole package makes the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak the next step in the evolution of Mopar’s modern day package car.