SEMA 2015: 1970 Dodge Charger 'Tantrum' Stuns with 1,650hp Mercury Racing V8 and Full Carbon Body
SpeedKore Performance Group's Tantrum Charger blends a 9.0-litre twin-turbo Mercury Racing V8 with a bespoke carbon fibre body, winning the 2015 Gran Turismo Award at SEMA.
SpeedKore Performance Group revealed its Tantrum Charger at the 2015 SEMA Show, drawing attention with a 1,650hp Mercury Racing V8 and a full carbon fibre body. The car, a radically reimagined 1970 Dodge Charger, was developed in collaboration with Salvaggio Automotive Design and took home the Gran Turismo Award at the show.
The centrepiece of the Tantrum build is its all-aluminium Mercury Racing QC4v engine. This 9.0-litre, quad-cam V8 is more commonly found in high-performance powerboats than road cars. Twin turbochargers push output to 1,650hp, putting the Charger well ahead of even modern supercars in outright power. The engine sits in a custom aluminium frame designed to manage the immense torque and keep the car stable at speed.
SpeedKore's expertise in composites is on full display. The Charger’s fenders, bonnet, valance, bumpers, inner door panels, inner quarters and mirror are all crafted from carbon fibre. Rather than hiding the weave, the bodywork is finished with a thin lacquer, leaving the material visible. This approach keeps weight in check and gives the car a distinctive, modernised look while retaining the original Charger’s proportions.
Interior and finishing details
Inside, the Tantrum combines classic Charger cues with modern materials. Leather and carbon panels feature throughout the cabin, updating the feel without losing the car’s heritage. Exterior details include a custom radiator grille and LED headlights, further distinguishing it from a stock 1970 model.
Recognition at SEMA
Tantrum’s combination of American muscle, marine racing technology and advanced composites made it a standout at SEMA 2015, where it won the Gran Turismo Award. The build demonstrated what’s possible when traditional muscle car design meets contemporary engineering, and it stood apart from the many restomods and customs on display in Las Vegas that year.
For comparison, the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, Dodge’s own high-performance saloon, was officially rated at 707hp, less than half the Tantrum’s output. For more on contemporary Charger performance, seeour coverage of the 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat.
