Unlike the S550 Ford Mustang and S650 seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang GT and Dark Horse, the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger rivals aren't even a habitual presence on the Old Continent – let alone at quarter-mile dragstrip events.
Unfortunately, we are not going to see them for long – General Motors ordered the production shutdown of the sixth generation Camaro in November 2023 for the Cabriolet and December for the coupe sibling. Stellantis also ceased manufacturing of the 2023 Dodge Challenger and Charger in December, even though it also promised that some of the 'Last Call' special editions would make the trip across the big pond – aka the Atlantic Ocean – to Europe.
As such, we had better treasure all apparitions of the Challenger, Charger, or Camaro in that region – they are much rarer than the Ford Mustang and soon will become obsolete. Chevrolet, for example, hasn't said anything about a potential successor for the iconic Camaro, and Dodge doesn't give any hints if the upcoming all-new Charger two-door fastback coupe will bring its fresh Daytona guise on the Old Continent after it gets launched at home before the end of the year.
So, let's treasure the moments when one of the representatives of the American pony and muscle car scene arrives somewhere in Europe to perform a showstopping trick. For example, the good folks over at the Drag Car 4K channel on YouTube are always eager to show us that traditional yet quirky quarter-mile drag racing is also deeply beloved on the Old Continent. Their latest feature now involves a crimson Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat equipped with the massive 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as it prepared to brawl with a regional representative of the sports car sector.
As per tradition, it all starts with a massive burnout from the Challenger – the driver was trying to warm the rear tires, which is massively important for adequate traction, especially since the race was taking place on the unprepped surface of an airport's takeoff and landing strip. Its opponent didn't seem impressed, though, as it was already lined up for the charge. Surely, we understand why – in the right lane, a much nimbler Mercedes-AMG GT R is packing the bi-turbo 4.0-liter V8 mill.
Curiously, Mopar cars are well known for notoriously failing the first leg of the race, but this time around, the driver performed a flawless, no-spin launch and took command of the race early on. Alas, it was futile – the lighter and smaller Mercedes-AMG GT quickly recouped the distance and wrapped up the race with a comfortable 11.886s versus 12.126s victory. Yep, the SRT got smashed, but it still looked glorious while doing so. Plus, the soundtrack coming from both V8s is music to our gasoline-dripping ears, right?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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