The auto world is sometimes filled with terminology beyond the average driver’s understanding. You may be familiar with VIN (vehicle identification number), OBD (onboard diagnostics) and grip (tire’s ability to stick to road surfaces). But are you in on the meaning of “scat pack”?
You’ve probably seen the term attached next to a Dodge Charger when you look up cars from the automaker. And you may have seen scat pack refer to an engine at one point and a trim at another. Is a scat pack a kind of engine or is it just a trim on a Dodge model?
What Does Scat Pack Mean?
It all began in 1967. Dodge started designing and creating its 1968 Scat Pack lineup: a motley of muscle cars. It featured the Coronet R/T, Dart GTS and the Challenger R/T — and much later, the Coronet-based Super Bee.
And because the line’s name originates from the verb “scat” (to go away fast or go fast), inclusion to it meant that a car must run the standard start of the 14-second bracket in a quarter mile. Otherwise, it wouldn’t qualify as one of the cool muscle cars in the Dodge scat.
The name “scat pack” is also said to be inspired by The Rat Pack, with the intention of developing community and loyalty. Developed by advertising firm Ross Roy, the term also symbolized the performance and power of the Dodge scat pack.
One of the more memorable tag lines for a car belonging to the Scat Pack was “Run with the Pack.” With the Scat Pack’s recognizable logo of a tiny racing bee with wheels, helmet and goggles, the automaker’s distinct muscle car lineup meant a badge of coolness. The marketing campaign even created a club called “The Hive.”
Clearly, a scat pack didn’t just mean an engine or a trim as you may have read elsewhere.
But that was in the late ‘60s. The Dodge Scat Pack was offered up until the early ’70s. It was shelved after, collecting dust in the archives. In 2014, the automaker resurrected the scat pack for the Charger, Challenger and Dart as an option. In 2015, the scat pack was offered as a trim for the Charger and Challenger.
When Dodge attaches “scat pack” to a model, like Charger or Challenger, it means it’s got the make up to get fast and inspire coolness.
Is a Scat Pack Faster Than a Hellcat?
The speed of any car, be it a Dodge Scat Pack Charger or a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, is determined by its power, weight, aerodynamics and powertrain. Most of the components for speed will be found in the engine. The more power the engine generates the greater power it’ll have to turn the wheels faster. And so you’ll find most car lovers scouring through the web or going through auto shops for specific engines and components, like an engine block.
So what’s the engine on a scat pack?
The engine in a Dodge Scat Pack Charger is a 392 HEMI (incidentally, HEMI was created by Chrysler, owner of Dodge) V-8. A Dodge Hellcat will also have a V-8 engine, except that its output (on a 6.2L) is 717 horsepower.
What’s a Scat Charger hp? It’s at 485 at 475 lbs.-ft in torque; not the impressive 717 hp from an SRT Hellcat, but still the Charger hp’s nothing to snort at. The Hellcat can go 0 to 60 in under four seconds whereas the Scat Pack Charger can go from 0 to 60 in over four seconds.
The Scat Pack is fast, but the Hellcat is a hell of a lot faster on the road.
Still, if you’re looking to save a few thousand dollars off your Dodge purchase, the Scat Pack trim on a Challenger or Charger is a solid option. It’ll set you back some $40,000 compared to the $75,000 on a Hellcat Charger.
But if you’d rather get behind the wheel of a Charger scat pack widebody, you’re looking at an expense of a little over $47,000. A widebody can cut both ways: on the upside, it’s got excellent with sufficient power and on the downside, it’s additional 3.5 inches means you’ve got to stay in your lane (literally).
What’s the Difference Between SRT and Scat Pack?
The Dodge Challenger and Charger come in different versions: SRT and R/T.
SRT is Street and Racing Technology, and it indicates the varying performance levels of cars models under Dodge. It’s particularly associated with Hellcat whereas the Scat Pack is a performance trim and specific to the Dodge Challenger and Charger.
R/T is Road/Track and you’ll find it on different Dodge models. Unlike the SRT, R/T is a lot more affordable. So if you’re after auto performance without the hefty price tag, check out the R/T configurations on the Challenger, Charger and Durango.
A car purchase is rarely ever simple. Unless you’ve got all the money in the world, then choosing the model would be a quick decision. But if you’re limited by budget more, consider your options. And when you’ve narrowed down your choice to a Dodge, dig into the performance configurations.
When evaluating the advantages of the Dodge Scat Pack, you wonder what makes the Scat Pack trim so special and how far it could take you.
If you’ve had your eye on a super sleek muscle car, you’ve most likely looked into the Dodge Scat Pack. With their classic design and ridiculous torque, Dodge is outselling top muscle cars such as Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang.
You may be wondering about the differences between a Dodge with and without the Scat Pack engine and trim. So, what is a Scat Pack and what makes the Scat Pack trim so special?
How Much Is a Scat Pack?
So, how much can you expect to pay to feel like Kowalski from Vanishing Point speeding down the highway in a Dodge Scat Pack car? The Scat Pack prices currently start at $46,940 to $54,835.
You may want to add some extras such as a bumblebee stripe or shakedown graphics, which would add $195 and $495, respectively. Perhaps you have your sights set on a performance spoiler? Add $995 for that. There are several add-ons to consider depending on the way you plan on driving it.
The Scat Pack engine trim adds about $6k on top of your standard R/T model.
Here is a breakdown of the starting costs of your Dodge Chargers and Dodge Challengers of 2023:
Scat Pack Charger:
- SXT – $32,645
- GT – $35,440
- R/T – $42,480
- Scat Pack – $48,840
- Scat Pack Widebody – $54,835
- SRT Hellcat Widebody – $80,835
- SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak – $89,435
Scat Pack Challenger:
- SXT $30,545
- GT – $33,940
- R/T – $39,480
- R/T Scat Pack – $46,940
- R/T Scat Pack Widebody – $52,935
- SRT Hellcat Jailbreak – $72,130
- SRT Hellcat Jailbreak Widebody – $78,530
- SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak – $80,735
- SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak Widebody – $87,135
- SRT Super Stock- $89,140
Note: Prices exclude taxes, title, registration, and destination fees.
How Much Horsepower Does a Scat Pack Have?
Dodge Scat Pack engine boasts a 392 HEMI® V8 engine, 485 horsepower, 475 lb-ft of torque, a payload of 1,066 pounds, and can go 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. Compared with the 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque on the R/T, the technological difference with the Scat Pack is its high powered performance.
The other models available are Challenger Scat Pack Widebody and Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody.
How Much Does a Scat Pack Cost?
If you are comparing the Scat Pack vs Hellcat, the first thing you may notice is the difference in the Scat Pack price. The Hellcat Challenger has a horsepower of 797, and the Charger has a horsepower of 807. Compared with the Scat Pack’s horsepower of 485, this is a pretty significant difference. However, the price for the Hellcat starts at $72,130.
What Engine Does a Scat Pack Have?
A Scat Pack Challenger features:
- 392 HEMI® V8 Engine with up to 485 HP and 475 LB-FT of Torque
- Four-Piston Brembo Performance Brakes
- Line Lock and Launch Control
- Uconnect® 4C with 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Featuring SRT® Performance Pages
- Heated Front Seats and Heated Steering Wheel
- 20×9-Inch Low-Gloss Granite Crystal Aluminum Wheels.
The widebody Scat Pack is similar to the R/T; however. it is a bit wider. A wide body Scat Pack will have the added benefits of more cargo and space for your passengers. The widebody also offers fender flares and adaptive damping suspension. So, think about your travel companions when considering if the widebody Scat Pack is worth the extra money for you.
How Much Does a Scat Pack Weigh?
The Hellcat and Scat Pack differ only slightly in weight; the Scat Pack has a curb weight of 4,325 pounds, and the Hellcat weighs up to 4,531 pounds. Thus, in the Scat Pack vs Hellcat debate, the big difference is going to be the horsepower, speed and, of course, the price. Bear in mind that the Scat Pack is already giving you an additional 100 horsepower more than the Dodge R/T.
How Fast Is a Scat Pack Challenger?
What kind of speed can you expect to get out of your new Dodge Scat Pack Challenger? A quarter mile is clocked in at 12.4 seconds. You’ll be hitting the road at a cool 174 miles an hour in both your Charger and Challenger models.
How Many Gallons Does a Scat Pack Hold?
Muscle cars like those with a Dodge Scat Pack engine are not going to be winning any awards for their fuel economy, however. A Dodge Scat Pack Charger was designed for agility and velocity. The gas tank can hold 18 and a half gallons of gas.
On the highway you’ll get about 25 miles per gallon. That’s pretty much on par with your average truck or sedan on the road today. In city driving, you’ll get about 15 miles per gallon. Dodge Scat Pack may not be your first choice if fuel costs are on the forefront of your mind.
Dodge Hellcat sports speeds up to 204 miles per hour, but with a heftier price tag. For the money, that’s a lot of speed. This is another reason why the Dodge Scat Pack and Hellcat are so popular amongst racing enthusiasts and motorheads.
Final Words
If you’re looking for the perfect price and performance value that would leave any other v8-powered car in the dust, the Dodge Scat Pack could be the answer to your burning desire for burning rubber!
The 485 horsepower, widebody options, and luxury interior design make the Scat Pack an excellent choice for those who love muscle cars.
The Scat Pack Challenger and Charger are a trim. Their high-powered V8 engines make them a rarity on the market. For the money, they are an excellent option for speed, especially in comparison with cars like the Hellcat. Whichever model you choose, the Scat Pack is reminiscent of America when asking yourself, “how can I go faster?”
