The most powerful V-8 ever produced by Chrysler.
A few weeks ago, Chrysler/FIAT showed off a picture of a man doing a burnout in a Challenger and giving the middle finger. This picture was on display at a conference that showed what the future had in store for Chrysler, Dodge, and SRT vehicles. The new Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is that big, bold middle finger to the world of muscle cars.
The newly-redesigned 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a true high-performance muscle car. It’s not designed to eat up corners and set Nürburgring records – it’s supposed to turn your knuckles white as you step on the throttle and all 600+ horsepower spins the rear wheels as you accelerate to infinity at a stop light.
“The new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is the ultimate performance muscle car,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Dodge is the Mainstream Performance brand, and now combined with SRT, we are able to unleash a true GT car with an all-new driver-focused interior and the TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission combined with the most powerful V-8 Chrysler has ever produced. The Challenger Hellcat has been released!”
The new Hellcat engine is essentially an upgrade variant of the standard Challenger SRT models. Checking that option box gets you the most powerful V-8 engine ever built by the automaker and adds on some other upgrades throughout the car.
The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine with all sorts of advanced technology making it produce thunderous amounts of power. A high-strength forged steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces can withstand pressures of 110 BAR (1,595 PSI), which is the weight of five family sedans pushing down on each piston every two revolutions. The new crank damper has also been tested up to speeds of 13,000 RPM as well. The big, forged alloy pistons work with powder-forged connecting rods with high-load capacity bushings and diamond-like-carbon-coated piston rings. Sitting above are premium-grade, heat-treated aluminum alloy cylinder heads with die-cast, HEMI-Orange aluminum rocker covers.
All that advanced technology equates to an output that surpasses 600 horsepower on the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. That power is pushed to the rear wheels thanks to an upgraded six-speed manual transmission or a segment-first, beefed-up TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
With that great power, comes great responsibility and with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, it comes in the form of a red key fob and a black key fob. The former brings the full output and performance capabilities of the muscle car while the black key fob reduces the engine output for normal driving. A valet mode is also available that drastically reduces performance, alters shifting, and more to ensure that your Hellcat comes back with its rear tread intact.
The new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat also comes with the largest set of front brakes ever offered on an SRT vehicle. The front axle boasts a pair of Brembo 390 mm (15.4-in.) two-piece rotors and six piston calipers that dissipate heat better than traditional brakes for reliable stopping power. All of the ABS, ESC, and traction control systems are tuned to “accommodate” the roaring Hellcat engine.
In front of those brakes sit standard SRT Slingshot split-seven-spoke forged alloy wheels with a matte black finish that measure 9.5 x 20 inches. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat also wears newly developed Pirelli P Zero Nero tires that are four-season, Y-rated for year-round performance. As an option, the P275/40ZR20 tires can be optioned in three-season variants as well. Customers can also choose optional 9.5 x 20 forged aluminum wheels with a Brass Monkey/Dark Bronze finish.
While the engine may be the selling point of the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, there are some other exclusive high-performance enhancements throughout the body. The new Challenger spent 35-percent more time in the wind tunnel compared to the previous design and is now more aerodynamically efficient than ever. The front fascia boasts a 1971-inspired vertical-split grille while a new Air Catcher inlet draws ram-air directly into the airbox through the driver’s-side parking lamp. Keeping the engine cool is a hood sporting a power bulge with dual air extractors in body-color or Satin Black. A large front splitter at the bottom of the bumper helps to generate necessary downforce to reduce lift.
As air flows towards the rear it meets a set of black sills and large “Supercharged” fender badges. The rear fascia of the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat features a split-light, glowing LED taillight design while a trunk-mounted spoiler with raised “SRT” logo keeps that butt planted.
The cabin of the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a 1971-inspired modern-day muscle car atmosphere. An 8.4-inch UConnect touchscreen shows off the Driver Information Display (DID) while a classic “tic-toc-tach” fixed gauge design with Dark Radar Red theme radiates with the car’s power. Performance seats with additional side bolstering wear Nappa Leather/Alcantara with embroidered SRT logos or optional sepia or black Laguna premium leather. Leather also wraps other surfaces throughout the cabin with special French-seamed accents. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat comes standard with Dark Engine Turn aluminum trim to further differentiate it from the rest of the Challenger lineup.
The new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat will come in a range of 11 body colors and be built in the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant with production starting in the third-quarter of 2014. The official pricing and specifications for the Hellcat variant will be released at a later date.
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Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Gallery
Source: Dodge
Is the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat the best muscle car on the market?
