STING LIKE A BEE! 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket

Dodge’s Super Bee nameplate first appeared in 1968 on the Coronet Super Bee, a low-option, high-horsepower muscle car that quickly became a hit with performance enthusiasts.

In 2012, Dodge revived the Super Bee nameplate for the updated Charger SRT8, sticking to the same formula of power and affordability. But with the success of the Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge decided to give the Challenger its own Super Bee version: the SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket.

The Yellow Jacket was inspired by the original Dodge “Yellow Jacket” show car, which debuted in late 1969 and evolved from the 1970 Challenger. The roadster was painted pearlescent Honey Gold and featured a 426-cubic inch HEMI V-8 engine, along with a number of performance features like a unique front spoiler, wider tires, heavy-duty suspension and brakes, and a manual transmission. The Yellow Jacket also had the Rallye instrument cluster and shaker hood that were famous among the Dodge “Scat Pack” performance cars.

The Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket, based on the 2012 Challenger SRT8 392, boasted a Stinger Yellow body color with a black grille surround to match the black body-side stripes that highlighted the newly developed Yellow Jacket logo on the rear fender. The five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels, measuring 20 inches by 9 inches, had black painted pockets that added to the car’s performance look.

The car’s interior was just as striking, with leather seats featuring a Stinger Yellow accent band, embroidered Yellow Jacket logo, and silver accent stitching. The driver’s seat had a full adjustable lumbar position with seatback tilt, memory, and an easy-to-reach release handle, while the front-passenger seat added tilt and slide with memory, making it easier for passengers to get in and out of the back seat.

Under the hood, the Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket had a 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) HEMI® V-8 engine that delivered 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, providing outstanding straight-line acceleration, world-class ride and handling, high-performance braking, and the most up-to-date technologies that delivered more driver excitement and control. The car’s standard Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission and dual-disc high-performance clutch were proven performers that were first offered on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, and both automatic and manual models had a standard limited-slip differential to maximize performance.

The 5-speed automatic transmission was optional, but it featured new standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that joined the center console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the race track. Both methods gave the driver the ability to manually select specific gears on the transmission, adding to the car’s overall performance appeal.

Its affordability and throwback design to the original Yellow Jacket made it a fan favorite among collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its powerful engine, balanced performance approach, and up-to-date technologies, it was no wonder the Yellow Jacket became a modern-day collectors item. For those who were fortunate enough to own one, it was a true masterpiece that left a lasting impression on the road.

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket Image Gallery:

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