Dodge is Celebrating HEMI Day by Making 2018-2023 Challengers and Chargers Harder to Steal

The 2018-2023 Dodge Challengers and Chargers are some of the highest-value targets for car thieves. Just ask any police department, Dodges, especially the ones with HEMI engines and more than 1,000 horsepower are targeted more frequently. The Challengers and Chargers are beautiful and fast. The muscle cars often can outrun the police trying to catch them. Now Dodge is celebrating HEMI Day with a new way to help prevent thieves from stealing the valuable and treasured vehicles.

“The Direct Connection Start Defender theft-deterrent system is another tool to help HEMI-powered Dodge Charger and Challenger owners protect their muscle cars and have a little more peace of mind,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “The Dodge Direct Connection portfolio continues to grow, and there’s no better time to rollout a product like Start Defender than on HEMI Day.”

What is HEMI Day?

HEMI Day, celebrated each year by Dodge enthusiasts on April 26 (4/26), honors the legendary 426-cubic-inch HEMI V-8 “Elephant” engine that was introduced in 1964. Stellantis phased out the popular engines over the last few years, while it focused on more fuel-efficient gas engines and creating electric vehicles. Recently, Stellantis confirmed that some HEMI engines will be brought back, now that the government mandates to go electric have been eased.

New Start Defender Theft-Deterrent System

The new Start Defender theft-deterrent system for 2018 to 2023 model-year Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicles operates like many bank and credit card websites do. It allows the driver to require two-factor authentication to start the car. Two-factor authentication is set via a button sequence chosen by the vehicle owner. The high-horsepower vehicle will only start when the correct button sequence is entered and authenticated.

The Direct Connection Start Defender interrupts the vehicle’s circuit system. The setup features a private, encrypted Wi-Fi network with a website. Multiple drivers can access up to four different button sequences. The system can be enabled or disabled during different activities. It can be disabled to allow things like trips through the car wash, service at the dealership or valet parking.

2018-2023 Dodge Challengers and Chargers Are Constant Targets

As an example of how huge the theft problem is, in March, police in Fresno, California, arrested seven people after uncovering a gigantic chop shop operation. Police identified 75 stolen vehicles worth more than $3 million. The people under arrest are facing 110 felony charges.

According to an article in Road and Track,

“According to a 2023 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Dodge muscle cars were the most stolen vehicles for the 2020-2022 model years. Theft claims for the Charger Hellcat were more than 60 times more frequent than the average for all 2020-22 models, relative to their numbers on the road. The Hemi-powered Charger and Challenger models have been among the top five most stolen vehicles since 2011.”

Upgrading Challenger and Charger Theft Prevention

Even though the 2018-2023 Dodge Challengers and Chargers already have sophisticated anti-theft systems like a factory-installed security alarm, including a Deluxe alarm for Scat Pack and SRT models. The vehicles also have Key Programming Lockdown, which helps prevent unauthorized programming of new key fobs. Start Defender operates a private, encrypted Wi-Fi network with a website to both set up and manage the system. Only the Start Defender system owner can reset the device. The system includes an external relay control, and the hood switch can activate a relay-controlled 12V device, allowing sirens or other warning devices to be connected and controlled. The Start Defender system can be installed by a mechanic or also self-installed with no special tools needed. The system does not damage or alter any original equipment systems.

The Start Defender theft-deterrent system is now available through Wesley Motorsports as a licensed Direct Connection product. It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $695. For additional product details and ordering information, visit DCPerformance.com.

Happy HEMI Day!

Dodge Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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