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The seventh annual Spring Festival of LXs that took place in Irvine, California, this past weekend, saw Dodge performing the public debut of its new 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline edition before it reaches U.S. dealerships in April. The new model is based on the 2012 Challenger SXT Plus trim level with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 adding some bespoke styling cues but more importantly, a more sportier chassis with changes to the steering system, suspension and brakes.
The Rallye Redline model is available in four colors, including Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Bright White and Pitch Black, all of which come with red racing stripes running through the new performance hood, roof and deck lid.
A body-color painted boot-lid spoiler and new 20-inch Pitch Black alloy wheels with a red lip and inner drum that are wrapped in wider P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk all-season performance tires, complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, there's a Mopar gear shift lever, a leather steering wheel with zinc paddle shifters, while for the first time, buyers can opt for heated front performance seats in Radar Red leather in addition to the Dark Slate Gray leather upholstery.
While the standard model's 3.6-liter V6 with its 305 horsepower at 6,350 rpm and peak torque of 268 lb.-ft. (363Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm, remains unchanged, Dodge engineers replaced the five-speed automatic transmission's 2.65:1 rear-axle ratio for a more responsive 3.06:1 unit.
More changes are to be found on the chassis as the Rallye Redline comes equipped with the Super Sport Group package as standard. It includes a performance-tuned suspension with 42 percent firmer front and 22 percent firmer rear monotube shocks, along with a larger 1.18-inch (30 mm) front and a 0.78-inch (20 mm) rear-sway bar that replace the regular model's 1.06-inch (27 mm) and 0.62-inch (16 mm) bars, respectively.
Furthermore, the steering system has been re-calibrated and is said to deliver 25 percent quicker steering and 20 percent heavier on-center feel, while larger performance disc brakes (345x28 mm at the front and 320x22mm at the rear) replace the standard set.
The new 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline is available for order now and will arrive at Dodge showrooms in April with a starting price of $28,745, not including a $925 destination (*) fee.
