Mopar Promises a Jolt for the 2023 SEMA Show
Every year is full of automotive shows that gives automakers and third-party aftermarket companies to show off what they’re working on to wow consumers. One company in particular is Mopar, the global name for Stellantis genuine parts and authentic accessories (previously a subsidiary for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; FCA). A combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar is known for offering all kinds of aftermarket parts and components to really bring out the potential of various Stellantis brands – namely Dodge, Ram, and Jeep. Mopar also tends to show up at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) every year with something new to show, and the company promises a serious change is coming to the auto market during the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31 – November 3 in Las Vegas.
Past SEMA Concepts
Mopar doesn’t always bring the heat to SEMA, but last year, it had plenty of fun showing consumers what it can do with Jeep SUVs thanks to the new Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) catalog and the new Ram 1500 parts catalog. Showing up with three new Mopar concepts, the Jeep CJ Surge was based off of the new 4xe series, powered by a battery-electric propulsion system, a 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module, with power generated by 24 lithium-ion battery modules. Also able to go off-road, true to the Jeep name, the CJ Surge came with a two-speed Jeep transfer case, a 2-inch lift kit for a small boost in ground clearance, and matte black 18-by-9-inch Black Rhino Solid wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires.
Two Ram 1500 concepts also debuted, such as the TRX Gold Shot, bringing a lot of style to the apex predator of pickup trucks. Featuring Satin Bitter Yellow/Satin Black concept with TRX side graphics. Made to look a little old school, the TRX Gold Shot comes with Vintage Bronze 18-by-9.5-inch Black Rhino Chamber wheels come wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich tires for added performance, plus a front skid plate that adds to the approach angle by 2.3 degrees, bringing it up to 32.5 degrees. Inside, the theme continues with Alaska Gold stitching and accents, premium wrapped with Capri leather and perforated Alcantara suede inner bolsters.
The second Ram 1500 concept was the Backcountry X concept, a classic work truck equipped with the class-exclusive RamBox cargo management system and a custom-designed RamPack for securing storage and the functionality of the pickup bed. Storage space has increased by more than 68% (up to 12.3 cubic feet) for storing all sorts of equipment, and of course all sorts of features have been added to embrace the off-road work truck. These include 2-inch TYRI LED lights and a Center High Mount Stop Light on the rear crossbar, Mopar 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks, matte-black 20-by-9-inch Fuel Heater wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich tires, a Mopar tubular grille guard with four Mopar 5-inch LED off-road lights, Black-painted Mopar tube steps, and Mopar rear bed step. A two-tone Matte Iced Silver Titanium and matte-black exterior completes the look.
The Mopar Hellephant
Back when Dodge was still going strong as an all-gasoline model, more horsepower was all that mattered. Now that the last generation of the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger are also the last models to be powered purely by gasoline (excluding the Dodge Hornet GT and GT Plus). Mopar even released some limited edition Mopar ‘23 Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger models to christen the change. But back to the Hellephant.
Sold as an engine crate kit, Mopar unleased the Hellephant 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI® engine, able to generate 1000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque during the 2012 SEMA show. A callback to the 707HP “Hellcrate” Mopar debuted at SEMA 2017, the Hellephant was a true monster-piece. Enhanced with a bulked-up displacement with 4.0 inches of stroke and bore specs at 4.125 inches, improved supercharger on the engine block; and some pieces pulled from the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, there was only one small letdown. The kit was meant for pre-1976 street and off-road vehicles, but who are we kidding? Someone out there bought the kit and placed it into their modern Dodge Challenger for the racetrack.
With offerings like these brought to the SEMA show by Mopar, we’re definitely curious what the aftermarkets company has in store for us this year. Find out when you follow along with us on Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram social media. Be sure to get the last all-gasoline Dodge Challenger or Dodge Charger before they’re all gone, with orders ending December 21, 2023.