Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Back in June, when Dodge was still playing the mystery game with the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat’s muscle rating, some people started telling sweet bedtime stories about the supercharged machine and a 10.9s quarter mile time. Now that Dodge has dropped the 707 hp bomb, it looks like those rumors may be true.
The rumor mill placed the Hellcat at 10.9 seconds, while adding this was achieved with a manual car, which burned the clutch after four runs. Somewhere in there there were also talks of a $65,000 price, but this is another topic.
The poetic time and the fried clutch caused some to believe these were not standard cars, but units modded in order for the engineers to test the limits.
We remember the days when the Challenger SRT8 392 was in the “revealed, but not entirely” stage the Hellcat currently finds itself in. Back then the vehicle did 12.4 runs, with voices claiming those cars were factory modded. Once people started unleashing the thing onto the drag strip, the Challenger showed it had no problem in achieving such times.
Then again, we have the example of the 662 hp Shelby GT550. In its latest incarnation (2013-2014 MY), this tips the scales at 3,850-4000 lbs and can pull 11.5-second 1/4 mile tricks.
A Challenger SRT8 392 weighs about 4,150 lbs, and with its blower, the Hellcat will be even chunkier. So, compared to the Shelby ‘Stang, we do have a weight disadvantage.
Nevertheless, the Hellcat has quite some extra hp at hand, while its 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) top the Mustang’s 631 lb-ft (856 Nm). Especially if we factor in the Hellcat’s new TorqueFlite 8-speed auto, the 10.9s target could be achievable - let’s not forget that the Shelby doesn’t offer an optional auto. But what about the manual? We have to admit, Dodge has put on quite a teasing show with its new flagship. Yes, the Hellcat is the new boss (no pun intended), so let's just how the Viper doesn't get lost further down along the road.
Either way, you’d better practice your reaction time, since the Hellcat will take dealerships by storm in the third quarter.
PS: imagine the Hellcat's migration under the Charger's hood. With such a duo, Dodge could pride on having created a new breed, the Hellcar.
Update: Chrysler has released the official 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat quarter mile time(s).
The poetic time and the fried clutch caused some to believe these were not standard cars, but units modded in order for the engineers to test the limits.
We remember the days when the Challenger SRT8 392 was in the “revealed, but not entirely” stage the Hellcat currently finds itself in. Back then the vehicle did 12.4 runs, with voices claiming those cars were factory modded. Once people started unleashing the thing onto the drag strip, the Challenger showed it had no problem in achieving such times.
Then again, we have the example of the 662 hp Shelby GT550. In its latest incarnation (2013-2014 MY), this tips the scales at 3,850-4000 lbs and can pull 11.5-second 1/4 mile tricks.
A Challenger SRT8 392 weighs about 4,150 lbs, and with its blower, the Hellcat will be even chunkier. So, compared to the Shelby ‘Stang, we do have a weight disadvantage.
Nevertheless, the Hellcat has quite some extra hp at hand, while its 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) top the Mustang’s 631 lb-ft (856 Nm). Especially if we factor in the Hellcat’s new TorqueFlite 8-speed auto, the 10.9s target could be achievable - let’s not forget that the Shelby doesn’t offer an optional auto. But what about the manual? We have to admit, Dodge has put on quite a teasing show with its new flagship. Yes, the Hellcat is the new boss (no pun intended), so let's just how the Viper doesn't get lost further down along the road.
Either way, you’d better practice your reaction time, since the Hellcat will take dealerships by storm in the third quarter.
PS: imagine the Hellcat's migration under the Charger's hood. With such a duo, Dodge could pride on having created a new breed, the Hellcar.
Update: Chrysler has released the official 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat quarter mile time(s).
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