Few car companies on this planet do special editions with the vigor (and frequency) of the American brands at Stellantis. Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and – to a lesser extent – Chrysler all return to their respective wells in search of a way to quench their thirst for profits.
This time, the retro-inspired Charger and Challenger brothers have once again been enrolled in Special Ed(itions) class. Specifically called the Jailbreak models, these Hellcat Redeye Widebody machines will permit customers to unlock color combination ordering restrictions while layering on new factory-custom options.
There’s a legitimate power upgrade this time around, which beats the tar out of most special editions which are simple paint and wallpaper jobs. Dodge says Jailbreak models will boost SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody output to 807 horsepower thanks to a revised powertrain calibration. As for the ‘Jailbreak’ part of this equation, it will permit customers to unlock color-combination ordering restrictions. In essence, if you want a Stinger Yellow Challenger with Brass Monkey wheels, Hammerhead Grey seats, blue Brembos, and red badges, Dodge will build it for you.
“Roughly half of all Dodge customers modify their vehicles,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis, while eating raw red meat and carving the Hellcat logo into his desk with a hunting knife (maybe). “For those looking for increased performance, we will launch Direct Connection next month. But for those looking for a unique appearance, we are going to let customers run free through the styling archives.”
Jailbreak will permit a choice of seven options for stripes and wheels, six caliper color combos, five exterior badging finishes, four choices each of steering wheels – you get the picture. It’s a great way, as most special editions are, to maintain consumer interest in a vehicle whose best before date would normally be well in its rearview mirror. Also, don’t discount the appeal to certain gearheads of being able to hold the keys to a true 1-of-1 options car. Your author has such a unicorn in his 2018 Challenger R/T – the color, manual transmission, and Shaker hood make it a 1-of-33 but a couple of oddball items like a Brembos and a banging sound system make it the only one made in that exact configuration for that model year. It’s a point of pride for extroverted weirdos like me.
Building on that, the Jailbreak option package will also permit the spec’ing of certain seat colors and striping packages not available on other trims at any price. The cost of dipping a set of Charger badges in a pot of Brass Monkey paint likely doesn’t keep Stellantis accountants up at night, so options like that are available through the Jailbreak package.
The new Jailbreak option package will be available for customer orders through dealerships in late Q4 of this year and bear a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $995.
[Images: Dodge]
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Since these have been churned out for about 20 years, are they classified as retro inspired retro models – or just old cars seeking new owner?
Am I understanding this correctly, for $995 I get access to more options that I have to pay for?
I have worked in an assembly plant as a build/layout Sr Engineer.
This gets real complicated – fast.
Model build complexity grows geometrically with these new combinations and permutations.
This adds inventory -parts. Staging. Fork truck traffic. Fixtures and so forth. Work std/procedures
In other words – COST.
Do you think it is going to come out of my profit?
Go back to your coding beta boy.
… or build a new app or whatever colored air project you work on.
This is flat genius. No other mainstream manufacturer has this level of creativity or method of making their customer’s vehicle truly unique.
Like most Chrysler products, this will sell and sell very fast. People will love this.
What, they’re the only manufacturer to offer a color choice?
LOOOOOLLLLL…
Too tired (er…lazy) to look it up, but I think Tesla gives you one free color: White. Everything else costs more. I think BMW gives you 2 free colors on their cheaper models. (sigh…)
” Tesla gives you one free color: White.”
So, that’s why my neighbors have white color only Tesla Model 3s. Like 4 of them. All white.
go look at the configurators of most vehicles and see how many options it really allows for the interior vs exterior and then look how much the painted brakes cost. I think Porsche will paint your calipers for $2000. It’s a pretty good idea and the 10 extra hp has to basically just be an inside zinger at ford.
“ What, they’re the only manufacturer to offer a color choice?
LOOOOOLLLLL…”
Nobody is surprised this went well above your head. It’s ok you don’t understand but to mislead and lie is a bit puzzling.
Nowhere did anyone say they are the only manufacturer to offer color choice. Not sure why you felt it necessary to make that nonsense up but then it is your MO.
Yay, now the roid-raging meatheads gunning it toward the pedestrians in the crosswalk will have ugly clashing brake calipers.
You’re confused again. This article has nothing to do with Mustangs.
Neat. I always did admire Dodge for offering more standard colors than anybody else. Glad to see they’re leaning into that freedom with what might be the penultimate editions of these gas guzzling beasts before Stellantis starts electrifying everything.
Ah, I see what you did here, following up the smelly plant story with the paint story.
So, will Dodge give you a rebate for the missing vehicle stability chip and just release them as is? The “guy crashes Hellcat at Cars and Coffee” Youtube videos should be hilarious.
More companies should offer a wide variety of colors, even if they cost extra as they do here.
After counting Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religious holidays; Stellantis will offer ohh, about 310 “special editions” throughout the year. North American-centric, zero funding needed (or being spent)on a many times paid-for platform, Stellantis will let these wither on the vine.
Jailbreak only limited but availability of gas
Forty years from now those of us still around can scratch our heads wondering why someone just paid THAT MUCH for the ultimate factory stock Challenger in a butt-ugly one of one color scheme. I hope it gets driven between now and then.
Looking forward to Barrett-Jackson 2042, featuring a TorRed Challenger with blue brake calipers, bronze wheels, and clashing red seatbelts.
You drive a Challenger? That’s awesome! You are very special.
(Now you don’t have to do irresponsible things on the road in an attempt to compensate for your ego issues. I probably just saved about five lives.)
No, seriously – your car is awesome. You should drive it VERY carefully to avoid any body damage.
(Really trying hard here. Can I get a little help?)
Considering how often the Charger and Challenger are either stolen or used for highly illicit purposes, is this really a good look for them?
Unacceptable. How dare they offer color choice? All cars must be white, gray, or black so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of the masses. :)
Direct Connection is back – there’s already DC logos on Dodge-sponsored NHRA drag cars, like the Challenger Drag Pak cars, Funny Cars, Top Fuelers, etc. I’m old enough to remember when DC started the first time, when I was a kid. I’m hoping the “I Get Mine Through A Direct Connection” t-shirts come back.
If only they did this for the 392 Widebody. It is infuriating sometimes on the configurators because you choose a color and then the interior is not available in tan leather, or you choose an equipment package and those wheels you like aren’t an option any longer. Ugh.
I would just be happy if they added a few colors to the ones they offer, and not switch them around every so often. Just put Detonator Yellow, Petty Blue, PCP, a really great Candy Apple, and a couple of others and leave everything else alone and I would be seriously happy.