LAS VEGAS, NV–Mopar has redefined street performance over the past year thanks to its 707 horsepower Hellcat-powered Challenger and Charger.
For the 2014 SEMA Show, the company turned its attention to the track, unveiling a new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car, which will be driven by Matt Hagan during the 2015 National Hot Rod Association season. Sure, Mopar also brought an impressive lineup of concept vehicles based on its Challeger, Charger, and Jeep vehicles, but much of the focus was on the new Funny Car, built in collaboration with Don Schumacher Racing and is the first new Mopar Performance Funny Car body since the current Charger dragster was introduced in 2006.
According to Mopar President Pietro Gorlier, the 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T is stronger and lighter with no loss in aerodynamic performance compared to the current race vehicle. DSR driver Matt Hagan, who was on hand to unveil the new Funny Car, helped validate the wind tunnel results for the new body with test runs at NHRA race tracks in Norwalk, OH and Indianapolis, IN.
“Everything about it is what it’s supposed to be,” Hagan said. “It’s a lot stronger, it will hold together a lot better, and last longer. I’m just excited to be a part of it. Mopar did a phenomenal job working with the car in the wind tunnel. It’s just a very aerodynamic car, and it’s going to be great.”
The new Funny Car, which will make its debut at the NHRA’s season-opening Winternationals in February at Auto Club Raceway in California, has a tough act to follow. The current Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has won 68 national titles and two NHRA Funny Car World Championships, earned 43 #1 qualifier honors, and posted the first 3-second run in NHRA history.
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