Kyle D 
With over 17 variants between both the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, and total output ranging from 292 to 807 horsepower, it’s not a surprise that car thieves love to jack these in-demand muscle cars for high speed joy rides and donuts in parking lots until they wrap them around a tree.
Because of this, Stellantis has released one of three new safety features for the 2015 and newer Challengers and Chargers. As of August 16, 2021, owners can go to the dealership to have the ECU flashed with an update that allows them to nerf even the gnarliest Demon to just 2.8 horsepower.
No, that’s not a typo. That’s not missing a zero or me fat fingering a decimal. 2 point 8 horses.
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars and Trucks
Give Your Dodge Charger Less Power Than a Chainsaw
As we previously reported, this is done with a 4 digit pin set by the car’s owner to prevent a speedy getaway (or a valet from being a valet). This new mode dubbed Enhanced Security Mode replaces the Valet Mode standard on many performance cars which just ‘reduces’ engine output, among other things.
The release of the Enhanced Security Mode for the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger begins the roll out of two more Security measures directly targeted at thieves. One of these is the Key Programming Lockdown.
Modern keyless entry and push to start vehicles use radio signals that communicate with the key fob to monitor its proximity to the vehicle. Thieves can take advantage of this by breaking into a car and programming a new key, allowing them to drive off in a vehicle like its essentially theirs.
The Key Programming lockdown prevents this by having one single signal that cannot be altered at all, not even by the dealer. Which can pose a problem if you’re a forgetful person and misplace all the keys to your Hellcat with this feature engaged.
Locking Down Your Dodge Muscle Car
In order to rectify the loss of your keys for your Dodge Charger or Challenger, you have to take it to the dealership and they have to put in a new module, which starts at around $160 for the part. This doesn’t include labor or new fobs so, make sure you’ve got a Tile.
This feature will be rolled out on 2021 and 2022 models as soon as October of this year and then in early 2022 for owners of 2015-2019 cars.
In addition to all of the above, a new intrusion mode will be standard on R/T models 2022 on that detects glass breaks as well as unauthorized movement(i.e towing) and sounds an alarm. This of course can be deactivated if you’re towing your vehicle or leaving people inside.
From the looks of it, these new features should stop any and all thieves from running off with your Hellcat. But it def won’t detour you from hitting a tree at speed. You’re gonna still have to rely on your feet for that.
