Fiat-Chrysler didn’t bring a custom Challenger SRT Hellcat at SEMA, but something a bit faster than the most powerful muscle car ever. That’s the 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car and although it’s kind of funny to look at, don’t you dare crack a laugh in front of it because it will bite you.
With what? With almost 10,000 horsepower of nitromethane savagery, that is. Take into account that the firepower’s main job is to propel a vehicle that weighs an estimated 2,400 lbs (1,088 kilos) with driver, fuel and everything else. To put those numbers into perspective, the funny car's weight is 100 kg (220 lbs) over that of the 1989 Mazda MX-5.
Developed by FCA on a virtual platform using production-based technology and tools applied to the street vehicles, the 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car is the joint effort of Fiat-Chrysler and the Don Schumacher Racing team. “In 9 seasons with the current body, we won 68 national titles and 2 Funny Car world championships, and we’re looking to excel from there with this exciting new vehicle,” said Schumacher.
That killer red and black livery is unlikely to make it because you know, sponsor stickers and stuff
We dig how that carbon fiber body shell was dressed in an elongated 2015 Charger, but one particular details float our boat the most - no, not the fake LED daytime running lights, but the muscular-looking side scallops. The scalloping has a neutral effect on aerodynamics, but also increases structural rigidity.
Slated to make its drag racing debut at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California next February at the 2015 Winternationals, the all-new 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has some pretty big shoes to fill in given that its predecessor earned 68 titles to date and 2 world championships.
To boot, the 2006 - present Charger R/T Funny Car was the first vehicle in its class to do a sub 4-second run at 3.995 seconds in the quarter mile back in 2011. Fingers crossed those new injectors, blowers and increased downforce will keep things nice and tidy at speeds well over the 320 mph (515 km/h) mark.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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