PhP 3.990M can get you 492 HP Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

Dodge Challenger Scat Pack is a surprising performance bargain

It may have been around for a while now, but Dodge Philippines made some noise for their muscle car, the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Presented during the virtual Manila International Auto Show, the company wants to make sure you'll remember them when you're shopping for a muscle car. Not only that, it's more reasonably priced than you think.

But before we get to that, what defines the Scat Pack? This variant of the Challenger is an upgrade from the standard model in terms of power and features. Instead of a 5.7-liter V8, this one uses a 6.4-liter motor to light up the rear tires. It's a proper old-school engine, too, with overhead valves and no turbo, which should delight muscle car fans.

With that much displacement, the R/T Scat Pack packs 492 PS and 644 Nm of torque. For the Philippines, the Scat Pack comes equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Sadly, we don't get the six-speed manual available abroad. That said, performance figures for the automatic are still quick. Dodge's claimed 0 to 100 km/h times for this Challenger is 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 280 km/h.

From the outside, the Challenger Scat Pack gets matte black highlights on the body. It also comes with a deep front splitter and 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels. The hood scoop adds more attitude, while the 392 fender badge reflects its engine size in cubic inches.

As for features, it comes with a Uconnect infotainment system that includes performance pages and a digital instrument cluster. Deep bucket seats and Scat Pack logos are all over the cabin to remind everyone that this isn't a regular Challenger.

The price? It retails for PHP 3,990,000, making it more expensive than a Ford Mustang (PhP 3,538,000 for the 5.0-liter V8) and the Chevrolet Camaro (PHP 3,448,888 for the top-spec). However, the Dodge is more powerful than the Ford, and the Chevrolet uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four instead of a traditional V8.

With that in mind, the Challenger Scat Pack is likely the most affordable way to get near 500 horsepower, and it can be yours for less than PHP 4 million.