At the beginning of the month Dodge revealed that its new Challenger SRT Hellcat will coming packing 707hp when it goes on sale later this year. That’s a serious number – the largest ever seen in a production muscle car in fact. But now the American carmaker has brought another figure to the table – one that shows us just how potent this 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 powered machine will be as a real world performer.
As the clip above goes to show, the SRT powerhouse is bringing back some of the magic that the original high performance Dodge Challenger did back in the early ’70s. Except this time, instead of being able to run the standing quarter mile in 13.2 seconds at 108mph – serious credentials for the day – the new Hellcat can destroy the drag strip in 10.8 seconds at 126mph on street legal drag radials, and 11.2 seconds at 125mph wearing production tires. And those ET and trap speed numbers are NHRA-certifed too.
If there’s one thing that the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat proves, it’s that the ‘horsepower wars’ are still well and truly alive in this sector. When will it stop? How will Ford and the General retaliate? We don’t know, but we’re certainly not complaining. Let’s hear your thoughts…
Brad Lord
brad@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
'Murica.
Looks like a pretty close rip off of the ZL1. I am happy they did it but at least TRY to be a bit different.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=5PD0CKddoogULM&tbnid=ND5KsyRqXBcH8M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popularhotrodding.com%2Fhotnews%2F1310_2014_muscle_cars_the_best_before_theyre_available%2Fphoto_11.html&ei=jMbDU4PFOIO0yAS24oKwDQ&bvm=bv.70810081,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNG9w8Yu4cIRFUJhpRhM20tJGPmjRw&ust=1405425661205632
To be more specific see the picture below.
Gordon Mack I'm like the same, no crappy concept thing that'll never hit the streets, but something familiar, but new at the same time.
Gordon Mack at least it won't get recalled :/
Well, we know for a fact that Saleen is working on a 2015 Mustang that is supposed to have more horsepower than the Hellcat, so now we wait for GM.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152216188907636
I don't care how much power it has it weighs over 2000kg! It's an absolute boat. I bet a honda civic would beat it through the twisties with ease.
2013 GT500 already does 11.2x @ 120s mph, Ford doesn't need to retaliate everyone needs to catch up. On the HP department it's well documented the Ford has more than 670HP (more in the neighboourhood of 700), will wait for the publication dynos on the Challenger.
All these HP wars are so sexy though!
@Shin The NHRA time for a GT500 is 11.6 @ 125
GaryRaynerAlainaHorton I believe the article is about drag times, I don't see twisties being boasted anywhere.
They should totally add this car to gran turismo and forza I wanna drive the hell out of it
I saw one last Friday night driving around, it looks even better in person. I would take one in a second.
Still the most bland, uninspired styling of any pony car ever built - and the retro-reachback of the new versions make the car feel even more soulless since there's no chrome, or external bumpers, or obnoxious vinyl stickers of the classic Challenger.
At least the newest versions of it's competitors can turn, both the new Z28 and the 2015 Mustang put an emphasis on newer designs and technology and creating a more modern, more capable version of the same-old pony car. They at least have evolved, however slightly.
But Dodge? Nope. They're still rocking the fucking straight-line-only, flying brick.
http://www.livefyre.com/profile/12329576/ I
did not realize that the ZL1 and the CTSV wagon and coupe were getting recalled
for their superchargers for their bearings getting contaminated and eventually
imploding the whole power plant. How long until the magnetic shocks take
a dump? I really like the idea of minimal sensors and electrical
connections. I owned a VW long enough to know how bad electric gremlins
SUCK especially if you are looking to really drive your sled and not just park
it.
GaryRaynerAlainaHorton Yeah, and this would decimate a Civic in a straight line. See how that works?
FunctionFirst The AE86 still has the most bland, uninspired styling of any Japanese car ever built - and the retro-reachback GT86 feels even more soulless since there's no pop-up headlights, or 80's interior or obnoxious vinyl stickers of the classic AE86.
At least the newest versions of its competitors have more power than an economy car. Both the new 370Z and 2015 Mustang put an emphasis on newer designs and technology, all while creating a more modern
and capable version of the same old sports coupe.
But Toyota? Nope. They're still rocking the fucking "worthless except for corners" underpowered boat anchor.
That's exactly why Dodge wins in my book. It looks the most like its predecessor, and anyways, muscle cars aren't supposed to be quick around corners. They're supposed to be, like you said "straight line only flying bricks."
Mmmmm....
FunctionFirst You're talking like Dodge is it's own company; Fiat Chrysler only has so many development dollars, and this platform isn't up for a replacement yet. With this, they've spent a fraction of the cost of a new platform and put the Challenger ahead of their competition with power.
When you gain muscle, you also lose fat, but it didn't happen here
*yawn*
@Jake Laird GaryRaynerAlainaHorton Some of us like to do the twisties and some of us like to go in a straight line... No need to fight; just do you! Take it easy y'all. Lol! Personally i like a little bit of both with emphasis on the twisty bits.
"DON'T HATE ON STANCE CARS, JAKE LAIRD YOU NEED TO LOVE EVERYTHING HURR IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE DON'T SAY ANYTHING."
"OH MY GOD DODGE WTF ARE YOU DOING STUPID PIECE OF CRAP CAN ONLY GO STRAIGHT LOL DOMESTIC TURD I BET MY AUTOMATIC CIVIC COULD ANNIHILATE THIS FANCY FIAT."
700hp huh? Look like that car needs a serious diet. I love the fact that it looks like it's grandpa and rockin a new generation Hellcat.
I'll give it till SEMA to see what develops.
On another note, that song of the V8 though!
@Jake Laird FunctionFirst
"The AE86 still has the most bland, uninspired styling of any Japanese car ever built - and the retro-reachback GT86 feels even more soulless since there's no pop-up headlights, or 80's interior or obnoxious vinyl stickers of the classic AE86."
Umm, the FR-S/BR-Z isn't really trying to capitalize on 40-year-old designs with a piss-poor rehash of the original. But nice attempt.
"At least the newest versions of its competitors have more power than an economy car. Both the new 370Z and 2015 Mustang put an emphasis on newer designs and technology, all while creating a more modern and capable version of the same old sports coupe."
No, just fail on the attempt at a parallel.
"But Toyota? Nope. They're still rocking the fucking "worthless except for corners" underpowered boat anchor."
4,000lbs vs 2,600lbs, which one is the boat anchor?
Never once did I bring up any import vs. domestic bullshit. That's all you Jake. Out of the three original pony cars I think I'd take a new Mustang - and I say that as an owner of a 69 Camaro and having drag-raced a 67 Coronet for 2 years. Big boat anchors that can't turn and are only designed to melt rubber just don't do it for me. Add in the boring-as-fuck styling and I just don't care. But good on Dodge for at least trying something daring.
Love the fact that your crying about how Heavy it is! If any of you ever drove all 3 Camaro, Mustang or the Challenger on a daily basis the Challenger is the only way to go! Great feel and comfort ,And all you Toyota and Honda guys just need to go back to watching reruns of the fast and furious! Give a brake its a awesome car that most of you just cant afford!
FunctionFirst LOL! It already has a MBZ designed multi-link suspension and chassis with 15" Brembo's all around,and is by far the best looking modern muscle car...unlike the hot wheel inspired Chevy.It comes loaded with luxery features...just like the original Challenger it is meant to be a luxery muscle car.The numbers speak for themselves. You want a go-cart go buy a Subaru. Haters gonna hate.
ShawnMurphy2 oh here we go...
Dodge makes a high horse power car that corners !! It's call a Viper !! I know from experience as I have a 2003. He wants to race me in their Civic ??
These comments are so comical! First off, if you never drove a challenger how can you say its cant go around corners at a good speed... Second, it has better technology in the car than the 70s version. Personally, I like the weight of my car.. it hugs the road an gives me a better ride for the long run an its a head turner. I have an 09 srt8 that's a stick an not a pussy auto, an to this day I still love that bitch!!! An if the price is right, I will get a hellcat! Btw.... @jaycoolsrt8 is my name on ig for the simple fm that dont think I have one! #MOPARORNOCAR
I think this is a really great car.......just alittle too heavy though if the weight was lowered...just a bit ....or alot it would make its performance in straight lines and in corners much better closer to a supercar experience....but nonetheless still a great car looks like an awesome every day cruiser ...something I would definitely drive
My post about Viper was in response to those who said Dodge only makes straight line high performance cars.
My post about Vioer was in response to those who said Dodge only makes straight line high performance cars.
My post about Viper was in response to those that said Dodge only makes straight line high performance cars.
I"m just busting up at how all these people miss the big picture: 707 hp, 10.8 quarter miles. It doesn't matter how heavy it is, times are times, and fast is fast.