If ever there was a trade show designed and built for Dodge, Ram, and Jeep, it’s SEMA, kicking off in Las Vegas this coming week. We’ve been doling out concepts that are debuting at the B2B trade show all week, and kinda sitting on our hands waiting for the Big Kahuna—which is always Mopar-ized vehicles from Dodge, Ram, and Jeep. This trio always goes off at SEMA and this year won’t be any different.
Here are just a few of the rigs they’ll bring, which we’re highlighting because they’re new concepts. But note that while Mopar is very much about the aftermarket, we can’t help but think all three of these brands are fighting for a bit more than eye candy from their show vehicles.
Dude! DOOOD!
The Dude Ram 1500 Concept sport truck is clearly aimed at Ford’s recent Lobo-ized F-150 and Maverick, and the broader “street truck” trend. Though, um, it’s a little less subtle. Mopar says it’s inspired by the original Dude sport trim that was offered in the 1970s. What was not offered five decades ago was a 395 horsepower V-8, here upgraded with a Mopar cold-air intake. And 22-inch rubber wouldn’t have been available back in the O.G. day, either.
More Mopar
This Ram is also lowered and features ground effects around the nose, a spoiler, a custom front splitter, side-pipe exhaust, and extended side sills. The C-stripes echo a paint scheme from the 1970s, and Ram accents the rest of the body in contrasting satin black striping across the hood and hood scoop, with a second accent line cutting the mid-section of the doors. The grille itself is also lower than on the stock Big Horn.
And Even MORE Mopar!
We can’t help but dig that these guys have so much bravado. They always go bigger! Here, they added a “Dude” logo to the body of this truck, and they went full lime green “extra” on the cabin, too, with green accented leather seats, another “Dude” logo staring back at you from the dashboard, and a cowboy hat rack, to properly play the part.
Dodge SIXPACK Charger Concept
Maybe the Mopar people are inspired by all the Halloween costumes around this time of year, and that has them dropping not just a lime green Ram but also a Stryker Purple Charger, but here we are. And this puppy isn’t exactly subtle, with custom five-spoke, 21-inch Brass Monkey wheels, and their open design lets Mopar show off custom orange Brembo brake calipers, front and rear, too.
Body By Carbon Fiber
Mopar lightens up the Charger with a carbon fiber hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler, and makes claims (without data) about how these details lead to better airflow. Well, they are pretty at least, and Mopar adds venting to the fenders, both for cooling and, they say, to release air pressure from inside the wheel wells.
Tightening Down
One alteration we’d love to experience ourselves: The Charger has also been lowered by an inch, with a performance suspension kit that Mopar says leads to tauter steering feel and improved high-speed stability. To us, the Charger has always felt every bit “big-boned,” far more so than most Ford Mustangs, and anything Dodge can do to improve its agility would definitely be welcome. That said, the SIXPACK Charger continues with the already muscular, 550-horsepower inline-six underhood. Mopar adds a cold-air intake and cat-back stainless-steel dual exhaust, so the Charger is probably even quicker than before.
Not So Serious
Mopar isn’t Mercedes-AMG. They’re in it for the sideways drift more than nanoseconds on a mythical racetrack. Which is why Mopar gets to have more fun and laugh a bit. If the above two concepts don’t argue that point, check out the “Ugly Sweater” Wrangler accessory any four-door Wrangler owner can purchase from Mopar. This legit for-sale magnetic livery can be added by any loyal Jeep fan, and peeled right off when the holiday season is done and dusted come January. We’re not sure that we’d rock the green-and-white armor panels on just any color Wrangler, because it might clash. Then again, it’s less lame than the stuffed “reindeer” antlers you see on the hoods of cars, and these offer paint- and off-road pin-striping protection, so you may want to rock them year-round.
TopSpeed’s Take
SEMA goes to Vegas and not, oh, Frankfurt, in order to party. And, in fact, carmakers attend because it allows them to study reactions to the products on display. Mopar is a very successful aftermarket moneymaker for Stellantis, so although the carmaker definitely cranks the over-the-top knob to 101 at SEMA, they’re also testing the market, just like all of their rivals. We happen to think they nail the tone by going colossal and extra loud. That way, when whatever comes to production is dialed back by just a hair, it’s still fun and unique. And if you’re a fan of what they make, that’s simply awesome.
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