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The 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown is the first of seven “Last Call” special editions.It features black and red stripes and interior upholstery inspired by the 2016 Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept car.Only 1000 Shakedown editions will be split between the 485-hp R/T Scat Pack and its Widebody twin, likely priced between $55k–$65k when orders open this fall. By now, you’ve probably heard that Dodge will say goodbye to the current-generation Challenger and Charger after the 2023 model year. The automaker also announced that it will say sayonara to its beloved muscle cars with a series of seven “Last Call” special editions, the first of which will be the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown. The new Challenger Shakedown is inspired by the concept car of the same name that appeared at the 2016 SEMA show. While the concept was a 1971 Challenger retrofitted with parts from a then-new 2017 model, the 2023 Shakedown mainly cribs its exterior and interior styling bits. The latter includes a set of stripes that run the entire length of the car, with three black lines of different widths and a single red line. All examples also have red “392” fender badges, red Brembo brake calipers, and a unique spoiler graphic.

Dodge

Inside, the Shakedown edition features black Nappa leather seats with microsuede accents and red contrast stitching. The red stitching also extends to the steering wheel and dashboard, where there’s also a “Shakedown” badge. The interior comes dressed with Demonic Red seatbelts, too. Likewise, all Shakedown models include options such as carbon-fiber and microsuede interior trim, the Technology package (adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers), the Plus package (heated steering wheel and power-adjustable steering column), and more.

Not only does the 2023 Challenger Shakedown have a distinct appearance, but Dodge says it only plans to build 1000 examples total. That will include 500 copies based on the Challenger R/T Scat Pack and 500 of the R/T Scat Pack Widebody . Both variants are only sold with the 485-hp 6.4-liter V-8 and either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.Dodge hasn’t released pricing for the 2023 Challenger Shakedown, but the company said that information along with specific dealership allotments will be announced when orders open later this fall. With all the options that are included with the Shakedown edition, the 2022 Challenger R/T Scat Pack starts around $52,000 and a similarly equipped Widebody variant adds roughly another $10k. We’d wager the 2023 Shakedowns start a few thousand dollars higher than both, so in the $55k–$65k range.
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Lots of automakers hide easter eggs throughout their cars, but Porsche generally isn’t the type to do that sort of thing. That made it all the more surprising when Andreas Preuninger, head of GT cars at Porsche, showed us a tiny easter egg on the new 911 GT3 RS.

There’s a tiny vent just above the rear reflector, but the shape of the bodywork—which creates an air channel with a flap that sits behind the rear wheel—in combination with the reflector necessitated a piece that’s blocked off. A lot of automakers use fake vents purely for styling purposes, and Preuninger didn’t want to be accused of doing the same. “There’s this crazy people online [who say], ‘It’s not a real vent! It’s a fake vent!'” For those people, Preuninger made sure the little plastic piece was stamped with the words “no vent.”
You’ll have to get down on the ground to actually see the “no vent” embossing, and if your eyesight’s bad, you’ll need glasses to see it. The piece is so small, one wonders if anyone would ever notice there’s something even resembling a fake vent down there. But, Porsche takes a lot of pride in the fact that its cars don’t have any exterior elements there only for style. The folks there take this stuff seriously.Not so seriously that they don’t have a little fun, though. Preuninger is a Porsche-world celebrity as much for his big personality as the quality of the cars his department creates. He’s also very proud, hence a desire to not be lumped in with the many automakers who use fake vents. Every piece on the GT3 RS has a function. Even the one that looks like it doesn’t. More

Dodge revealed its vision for “future muscle” on Wednesday night, giving us our first look at the Charger Daytona SRT. A radical concept with retro style and futuristic tech, there was one feature that stuck out: A simulated exhaust sound. The Daytona SRT is electric, you see, so Dodge added a fake internal-combustion exhaust note to quell EV doubters. And we’re not sure how we feel about it.During the car’s premiere, published above, Dodge started the car to let it run, even giving the crowd a few revs. The feature, called the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, uses an amplifier near the rear of the car to produce a 126-decibel “exhaust” sound. Dodge says this sound is supposed to replicate a Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. We’ll let you listen and decide whether it actually does or not. Stellantis head designer Ralph Gilles published a clip of the car’s sound to Instagram, in case you need a better video.
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The fake exhaust noise isn’t the only radical piece of tech onboard the Charger Daytona SRT concept. There’s also what Dodge calls the eRupt transmission. It’s a multi-speed unit that allows the driver to shift themselves via an “electro-mechanical” connection. Whether that means the driver is actually shifting gears in the transmission or gear shifting is simulated electronically, we don’t know yet.
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Hyundai is recalling 245,030 Palisades and Kia is recalling 36,417 Tellurides—all 2020–2022 models—due to a fire risk. Both automakers are also ordering a stop-sale on affected models, according to a NHTSA consumer alert.The fire risk stems from a possible electrical short circuit caused by debris or moisture accumulating inside the tow-hitch harness module. Hyundai and Kia are still finalizing repair plans, but until the issue is resolved, owners are asked to park outside and away from buildings.Over 280,000 Hyundai Palisades and Kia Tellurides from the 2020—2022 model years are being recalled due to potentially faulty tow-hitch harnesses that can cause a fire while the SUVs are parked or driving. Hyundai and Kia today also issued a stop-sale on affected models at dealers and processing centers that haven’t been sold, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).According to separate filings yesterday with NHTSA, Hyundai reported that about 245,030 Palisades are affected, and Kia reported that about 36,417 Tellurides are affected. Both reports indicate the fire risk stems from an electrical short circuit that can happen when debris or moisture accumulates on the printed circuit board for the tow-hitch harness module. The harness may have been installed as original equipment or as an accessory through a dealer. Hyundai confirmed details of the recall to Car and Driver, but Kia hasn’t yet responded to a request for comment.

Kia

Hyundai and Kia are still currently finalizing plans for the fix. In the meantime, both automakers are advising owners of affected vehicles to park outside and away from buildings until the recall is addressed. In its NHTSA report, Hyundai states that owners can continue driving their Palisades and describes plans to remove the fuse for the tow-hitch module as an extra measure of protection.So far, Hyundai hasn’t reported any fires, crashes, or injuries in the U.S. related to the recall. However, it has confirmed eight cases where melting has occurred. Likewise, Kia hasn’t reported any crashes or injuries, but it did confirm five cases of melting and one fire.Hyundai plans to notify dealers and owners on October 17, 2022. Kia plans to notify dealers about the recall on October 10, 2022, and it plans to notify owners on October 14, 2022. More

Shelby American announced a limited production run of a 1300-horsepower variant of the Ford Mustang GT500, named the GT500 Code Red.Shelby will build 30 total examples of the Code Red, 10 for each of the 2020 through 2022 model years. The Code Red will not be street legal and is designed with straight-line speed in mind. Prices start at $209,995 before factoring in the required donor car. Shelby American unveiled the GT500 Code Red at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit this past weekend. The limited-production model is based on the current-generation Mustang GT500, but Sthelby pulled the supercharger off the 5.2-liter V8- and replaced it with a pair of turbochargers. The engine was re-engineered by Nelson’s Racing Engines and fitted with a dual-feed fuel system, allowing blends of racing fuel when needed. Engine cooling capacity was increased to handle the extra heat. When driving the Code Red using 93-octane gas from the pump, it will produce over 1000 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque. When using E85, the Code Red’s will make as much as 1300 horsepower with torque moving up over 1000 pound-feet.

Shelby American

Shelby American was up front about the performance of the Code Red, saying: “While not street legal, it’s very capable at moderate speeds in most any curve. But when the turbos spool up, the car is best enjoyed moving straight ahead.” Further modifications include a stronger transmission to hold the increased power, a one-piece driveshaft, Shelby/Baer brakes and rotors, and 20-inch wheels in front with Pirelli P Zero tires and Nitto NY555R drag radials in back.

Shelby American

On top of the numerous performance upgrades, the Code Red will have a widebody kit for bigger tires, a new interior, new badging, and a carbon-fiber hood. Shelby will take up to 10 GT500s from 2020, 2021, and 2022, with production capped at 30 total. If you are interested in owning one of the 30, be prepared to spend. The package starts at $209,995 which does not include the over $80,000 price tag of the donor car.
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