We stumbled upon this Dodge Challenger R/T project car on some sort of advertising microsite for Popular Mechanics. At first the Eco + Muscle Challenger, as it's called, looks like a pretty straightforward albeit incredibly lavish project car. Its creators have swapped out the intake, exhaust, headers, filters and spark plugs, and done an ECU retune. They've put on a shorter final drive, replaced the entire suspension, and fitted Brembo brakes and, shall we say, understated 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 rubber. And custom paint. No big deal. Sure.
Oh, and there's a nitrous system, so this Challenger apparently laid down a 4-second 0-60 and a 13.4 quarter-mile at 114 mph. Stock Challenger R/Ts, like our long-termer, run about 5.5 and 13.9 at 103 mph.
And here's where the Eco + Muscle Challenger takes a turn for the are you freaking insane. A separate electric drivetrain has been added to this car. That means a rear-drive, brushless DC electric motor (the kind used on production hybrid cars) that weighs all of 89 pounds. Plus, there's a battery pack -- as in a cache of 28 car batteries (albeit deluxo Exide batteries) residing in the space formerly known as the backseat. Plus, there's a fuel cell! And dual throttle control!
Follow the jump for priceless video footage of the Eco + Muscle Challenger accelerating from a standstill in both gas and electric mode.
Eco + Muscle Challenger Makeover Project
"Because we have two completely separate parallel drive systems," say the creators of Eco + Muscle Challenger, "we wanted to have two separate throttles as well. We've set things up so the Hemi V8 is controlled by the stock throttle pedal, while the electric motor is controlled by a hand throttle. Theoretically, a driver with excellent coordination could accelerate using both the V8 and electric motor at the same time, dumping insane amounts of torque into the differential."
Curiously, no acceleration numbers are offered for the Eco + Muscle Challenger post-installation of the parallel electric drivetrain. No curb weight figure, either. We're guessing it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 pounds.
Best of all, you can see the Eco + Muscle Challenger with your very own eyes if you attend the SEMA show in November. Or come January 2010, you can place a bid on it at Barrett-Jackson.
tryan says:
07:45 AM, 05/14/09
I was reading this the other day in the latest issue of Popular Mechanics and definitely had a WTF moment.
You can bet there's a reason no performance figures were given post-conversion, it was probably embarrassing.
In essence, this is just a hacked up dual-mode hybrid, without the integrated throttle and algorithms to ensure the most efficient application of both units.
What would have been considered a valiant effort and considerable accomplishment for a home builder is actually a bit disappointing when an established, well-connected and respected publication like Popular Mechanics is at the helm.
actualsize says:
12:54 PM, 05/14/09
Yep. Haulin' ass and savin' gas -- two great tastes that go great together. Not.