It has certainly been a while since the team last examined an AUTOart release in depth. That gap wasn’t intentional. Between U.S. tariffs (a word we never expected to use in a model‑car review) and AUTOart’s noticeably slower production cadence—tariff‑related or otherwise—the brand has been quieter than usual.
That drought ends today with the 1:18 Dodge Challenger SRT Jailbreak. Our sample arrives in Hellraisin Purple with Silver stripes, easily the standout and most distinctive colour choice from AUTOart’s first‑wave releases.
The 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Jailbreak is an 807‑hp variant of the Hellcat Redeye, built around the supercharged 6.2‑litre HEMI V8 and the widebody chassis. The Jailbreak package mainly exists to unlock previously restricted factory combinations, letting buyers mix wheels, trims, stripes, caliper colours, and interior options more freely. Mechanically, it’s the same brutal, straight‑line‑focused muscle car Dodge is known for, with the widebody stance, big Brembo brakes, and the 8‑speed automatic as standard.
Hellraisin Purple is one of the more distinctive colours offered around that period. It’s a dark metallic shade that reads almost black in low light but shows a deep purple tone in the sun. On a widebody Challenger, it adds presence without being overly loud—bold, but not cartoonish. It suits the Jailbreak’s customizable nature well, giving the car a unique look while still keeping it refined.
Straight out of the box, the paint appeared darker than anticipated, but the colour loses none of its charm. The finish is exceptional, and the integration of the Silver decals against the Hellraisin Purple is executed with real precision.
Shutlines and panel gaps are superb—so tight, in fact, they surpass what Dodge manages on the 1:1 car. Collectors who equate quality with weight may be surprised by how feather‑light this composite model feels next to a traditional diecast. Don’t let that deter you; the craftsmanship more than compensates.
AUTOart nails the widebody stance, capturing the Challenger’s muscular proportions with confidence. Smaller exterior details, which we’ll touch on further below, reinforce the strong fit and finish throughout.
Moving to the front, every opening is backed with perforated metal mesh, including the small hood nostrils—a detail many brands overlook. The front fascia remains one of the most aggressive and appealing elements of the real Challenger, and AUTOart preserves that attitude beautifully. It’s a reminder of what Dodge’s newer designs have lost.
Headlight execution is excellent, and the metal SRT badge on the right side is a welcome premium touch.
As noted, this model offers full access. The hood opens smoothly on sturdy hinges and struts. Engine detail is good overall, though slightly plastic in appearance. AUTOart earns points for using multiple colours to break up the components, but the absence of OEM badging is noticeable.
The rear follows the same high standard. Taillights are sharply rendered, and the metal Dodge emblem at the centre adds authenticity. The trunk area is fully flocked, and the hinge/strut assembly adds realism.
The wheels are a highlight. AUTOart includes air valves—a small but perfect detail. Tire branding is present, and the braking system features metal slotted rotors and branded black calipers.
The undercarriage is well defined, with clear representation of the engine underside, exhaust system, and rear differential. Suspension components are mostly Black plastic, but the overall effort far exceeds what you’ll find on static resin models.
Interior side, AUTOart handles the fundamentals well. Full flocking is present, and the fabric (or rubber – it’s hard to confirm the material – if synthetic, they have improved it!) seatbelts include photo‑etched hardware. The White seat accents tie nicely to the exterior striping. The dashboard, centre console, and door cards mirror the 1:1 design effectively—good, though not exceptional.
It’s encouraging to see AUTOart back with a strong release. Their models continue to capture the essence of the real cars, and the Challenger SRT Jailbreak is no exception. Many components here are particularly well executed.
Where AUTOart still falls short is in pushing boundaries and delivering stronger value relative to the competition. With brands like Almost Real, LCD, and MotorHelix raising the bar, AUTOart needs to evolve to maintain its leadership. That said, for collectors seeking consistent quality control, reliable execution, and a very good overall model, AUTOart remains a top choice. Enjoy the pics!
I tried but cannot get to like american muscle car. What shall I do ?
LOL, do nothing. It’s better for your wallet!
I always loved these retro generation of the Challenger, and the Autoarts are definitely the best. If any of those released so far would go on sale I think I’d get one. Too bad for the ugly rubber safety belts and partsbin plastic buckles. Unacceptable for the price point they elected to sell these at.
The seat-belt material could be fabric here, or they could have improved on the previously used synthetic material.
Seats and belts are clearly better in HWE Ferrari 458 GT2. AutoArt should improve this indeed
A lot a things were better when HWE was producing models!
I wonder how much would it cost if AutoArt prepares Amalgam-like 1:8 scale detailed model
Likely less than Amalgam.
Too bad that AUTOart ruined this model also by putting those hideous stripes on it…
I like the stripes! Otherwise it would be too close to that maroon one they did.
Different strokes for different folks… If these stripes were not present, this model would have been a pass on purchase. I like the stripes, it elevates the no-holds-barred, kick ass, aggressive disposition of the car!
I like the stripes too. They complete the muscle car effect.
Autoart composite models generally follow the same overall standard. Some releases do stand out more than others, but in terms of craftsmanship and quality control, they’re usually quite consistent.
However, there’s one issue: I regularly check the Autoart North America webstore because it’s a good indicator of their pricing. This year, they’ve raised their prices significantly, somewhere between 30% and 40%. I honestly don’t understand where this increase is coming from or why it’s so high, especially considering nothing about the models themselves has changed.
I never buy directly from them, I always purchase through local sellers, and even they confirmed that the prices have gone up. New releases are now hitting almost $400 CAD taxes in.
The tariffs have likely had an impact on pricing. We understand the Canadian division of AUTOart has made changes in acquiring product direct as opposed to x-border.
I get that, but my local supplier, who sources their stock directly from distributors in Asia, confirmed that prices have gone up at the source. So tariffs alone aren’t to blame here. I also did a check earlier in the Autoart North America website, the new F‑150 is listed at $410 CAD before shipping and taxes. This is nuts, I can get a classic model from the good and old Signature series at this price with tax in.
eventually if they can’t sell them at their desired price, they will have to discount them to move them. It’s always a matter of demand and offer.
You guys had it good for a long time. $410 CAD has been within the standard price brackets for a new Aa here in EU. And good luck finding a Signature Autoart in mint condition for that price. Not impossible, but not nearly as easy as you portray it with some Signature models consistently fetching 2 or 3x that.
I guess the market adapts differently in each country. In Canada, the standard price for new models before tax used to range between $280 CAD and $350 CAD. I agree that prices here are lower compared to many other countries, and I’m definitely glad about that, but the recent price increases seem to be happening globally, regardless of the region. As for the Signature models, I’ve picked up five in the last few years, all of them at or below $450 CAD and all in perfect condition.
I often defend Aa but truth to be told, I’m a bit disheartened by the direction they took myself. Release calendar and subject matter aside, they nailed the exteriors and paint but they are skimping on details in other areas. You can see they are cost-conscious and cut corners where they used to excel. All while keeping the prices high, on par with the new Chinese manufacturers that don’t skimp on little pieces of cloth for seatbelts, different materials and textures for the interior and the engine and the general part count. Besides, out of 6 Aa plastic models I have, 3 did not have any QC issues. I wouldn’t call that consistent.
We agree on almost every point here, we don’t see eye to eye of quality control. Based on the immediate local team and those abroad, AUTOart has one of the best, if not the best QC. Based on the number of purchases, last month, for example, being top of mind, near $6000 in purchases (16 units). One complaint. A minor paint blemish on the functioning headlight of the Toyota GT 2000. Prior to this, we cannot remember where we needed to contact AA for customer service.
Hi Peter. Just curious, what are the models and what were the qc issues?