Old vs. New: The Ultimate HEMI Showdown – 1970 Challenger Faces 2020 Challenger in Drag Race
The Dodge Challenger has long been synonymous with raw power and muscle car grandeur. Since its debut in 1969, the Challenger nameplate has become legendary. One particularly intriguing moment in Challenger history sees a classic 1970 model facing off against its 2020 counterpart. Buckle up, as we take you through every rev, gear shift, and burst of nitrous in this father-and-son drag race.
The Birth of a Legend
The first standalone Dodge Challenger model rolled off the assembly line on September 25, 1969, introducing itself as a 1970 model. This latecomer to the pony car circuit shared its E-body platform with the Plymouth Barracuda but was otherwise unique. Chrysler designed it to house nearly every powerplant in its arsenal, from a humble 198 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder (3.2 liters) up to the king of hemispheres, the 426 Hemi ‘Elephant.’
The 1970 Challenger didn't feature the smallest Barracuda engines, starting instead with the 225 cubic-inch ‘leaning tower of power’ (3.7 liters). Nine engine versions in six displacements were available—a broad offering compared to the five engines in four sizes offered in the 2020 model year. On paper, the old-timer scores an early win in versatility and displacement.
Modern Challenger Muscle
Fast forward to 2020, where the Challenger's base engine is the Pentastar V6, a 3.6-liter marvel smaller than the older 3.7-liter Slant Six. However, the real excitement comes with the return of the HEMI. In 1970, the biggest engine was the 440 cubic-inch V8 (7.2 liters), while 2020 introduces us to the 6.4-liter V8—known as the naturally aspirated 392 HEMI.
The new generation also boasts four HEMI options, compared to the original's single but mighty HEMI. The 2020 models feature the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat, pushing boundaries with raw power and technological prowess. The car that really stands out is the Demon, an 840-horsepower beast equipped for drag races straight from the factory.
The Head-to-Head: 1970 vs. 2020
In one corner, we have a 1970 Challenger modified with a 5.7-liter HEMI, a six-speed manual transmission, and a limited-slip 4.10 rear axle. In the other, a 2020 Challenger sports a 5.7-liter HEMI outfitted with nitrous oxide and an eight-speed automatic transmission. These additions make it a near-even match despite the 2020 version's 700 extra pounds.
The 1970 Challenger weighs in at 3,500 lbs, pushing out 371 horsepower and 377 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels. By comparison, the modern muscle car should deliver around 375 horsepower and 400 lb-ft at the crankshaft, bolstered by a 100-shot of nitrous. The quarter-mile drag is the ultimate test of these specs.
The Drag Race Results
The first quarter-mile sprint sees the 1970 Challenger triumph, clocking in at 11.38 seconds at 96 mph, narrowly beating the 2020's 11.73 seconds. The driver's reaction times (.59 seconds for the old-timer and .45 seconds for the modern warrior) indicate that human error wasn't a factor.
A rematch yields similar results: the classic Challenger crosses the line in 11.19 seconds at 97 mph, compared to the 2020 model's 11.35 seconds at 100 mph. Each car demonstrates its unique strengths, but the vintage model's victory underscores the enduring prowess of original muscle car engineering.
Concluding Thoughts
While the 2020 model boasts advanced engineering and power, the 1970 Challenger wins this old-vs-new showdown. The drag race, marked by neck-and-neck finishes, showcases the formidable legacy of the Dodge Challenger. This event proves that sometimes, old-school muscle can still hold its own against modern technology—making it an unforgettable father-and-son duel in the muscle car annals.