Gallery: Dodge Challenger Shakedown Is First Of Seven 2023 Last Call Models

On the afternoon of August 24, the Dodge brand introduced the 2023 Challenger Shakedown. This is the first of seven “buzz models” that are part of the 2023 Last Call program for the current generation muscle cars. The brand will introduce five more buzz models over the next six weeks, followed by one final reveal at the SEMA Show in November.

“Dodge Speed Week may be over, but our brand is far from finished in shaking up the muscle car world,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “We’re following up Speed Week reveals of the future of electrified muscle in the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept and our first electrified vehicle in the 2023 Dodge Hornet R/T by announcing six special, commemorative-edition models in a little over a month.”

Image: Dodge Garage

Today, we bring you a closer look at the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown. The Shakedown is inspired by the Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept from the 2016 SEMA Show. It features a variety of unique appointments inside and out.

First off, the Challenger Shakedown is based on the 392 Scat Pack Shaker. It is powered by the 6.4-liter Hemi, packing 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque and topped by the legendary Shaker hood engine air intake system. Only 1,000 examples of this package will be produced.

Image: Dodge Garage

Of that 1000, 500 will be standard body cars in Destroyer Grey and the other 500 will be widebody cars in Pitch Black. All of them will come standard with the Plus Group, Technology Group, navigation, the carbon and suede interior package along with the Dynamics Package for standard-width cars (always standard on widebody models).

On the outside, the Challenger Shakedown package includes red 392 badges on the fenders, the Shakedown spoiler badge, the unique stripe running along the hood, roof and trunk lid and a black Challenger grille badge. It will also feature 20-inch “Slingshot” black wheels on standard body models (also known as first generation Hellcat wheels), Carbon Black “Warp Speed” wheels on the widebody models and red six-piston Brembo front brake calipers.

Image: Dodge Garage

On the inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown package adds Demonic Red seat belts and the premium black Nappa Leather and Alcantara seats. The seats as well as the instrument panel, console and steering wheel will have red stitching.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown will not be offered through the order bank system like the standard 392 Challenger Shaker. These cars will be built at an unspecified date and shipped to select dealerships around the country. Prospective buyers will be able to find the location of these cars on Dodge Garage.

Image: Dodge Garage

We would like to think that Dodge will pick dealerships that won’t add huge markups, but with the Shakedown package being more or less aesthetic, a production run of a thousand total units – combined with a few thousand other special edition models slated for 2023 – it seems likely that consumers will be able to located one of these at or below MSRP.

Image: Dodge Garage

As for the suggested retail price, that will be announced when the order banks for 2023 models open this fall. However, if we build a 2022 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 392 Shaker on Dodge.com right now, adding the various popular equipment groups included in the 2023 Shakedown package, the MSRP is just north of $58,000 for the standard-width car. The 2022 widebody Challenger with similar options starts just below $62,000.

Image: Dodge Garage

In other words, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown will likely start somewhere around $60,000, but we will know for sure later this year. With a price in the $60,000+ range, it seems unlikely that people are going to rush out to grab one of these. Anyone that is planning to buy a 392 Shaker car in the final year, the Shakedown package might be of interest. In the long run, when you add in the “Last Call” plaque under the hood, these specially equipped models will likely hold their long-term value better than a non-package Shaker Challenger.