RE: Dodge Charger Hellcat: You Know You Want To

RE: Dodge Charger Hellcat: You Know You Want To

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Discussion

Matt Harper

6,615 posts

201 months

Friday 4th September 2015
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graemel said:
I believe the Charger Hellcat is officially the fastest production four door saloon currently available. I prefer the Challenger myself. But both cars are awesome. 26mpg on a run and 19mpg around town. Whilst the exchange rate buys you $1.50 to every £1 you also have to factor in 10%import duty, 20% VAT plus the shipping cost. Your next headache is actually getting hold of one without paying anything from $5K to $15K plus on dealer mark up. You cannot buy direct from Dodge and would have to order through a third party resident in the states. Add in the UK light conversion and IVA test to get it UK registered, it all adds up.
Whilst I cannot speak for the Charger, The Challenger is an awesome weapon. Makes a C63 sound anaemic. I've owned a lot of different cars over the years and the wife puts the Challenger Hellcat as number one by far. It is the only fast car I have owned that does not make her feel sick. The power is linear, just nails her in the seat for as long as you keep the loud pedal pressed. smile
Charger also has slightly higher top speed than Challenger due to less aerodynamic front facia (necessary to aid cooling in the case of Challenger) - though I agree with Graemel, the Challenger is a nicer looking car. I don't think the front and back of the Charger suit each other particularly well.

Both Hellcats are formidable - but have to live with the limitations of the chassis and tires, which in certain conditions and drag racing is one of them, can really struggle to contain those mountainous power outputs.

Welshwonder

303 posts

188 months

Friday 4th September 2015
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I'm sure I saw one of these today. Must be lost or something as it's not exactly a common choice in deepest, darkest Wales!

It was very, very green!

Artey

757 posts

106 months

Friday 4th September 2015
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That outfit really price their cars insanely high! I guess QE and low interest rates created many "more money than sense" customers. Good for them I say.

zeta3

72 posts

161 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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here is a true drag race ... https://youtu.be/RWQ-dnpplaA?t=802

you want to watch the full video too with a fair comparison between the two cars!


graemel said:
J4CKO said:
If you knew the full story behind that video you would understand that it was a little unfair. First time at the strip and he blew the tyres off and thought he would just give a smoke show. He then spent some time at the strip. Fitted some drag radials (street legal) and did a re match against the Tesla. To about the 1/8 not much in it but from the 1/8 on the Hellcat toasted the toaster. Remember the Tesla is all wheel drive with instant torque.

Thankyou4calling

10,601 posts

173 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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Matt Harper said:
Charger also has slightly higher top speed than Challenger due to less aerodynamic front facia (necessary to aid cooling in the case of Challenger) - though I agree with Graemel, the Challenger is a nicer looking car. I don't think the front and back of the Charger suit each other particularly well.

Both Hellcats are formidable - but have to live with the limitations of the chassis and tires, which in certain conditions and drag racing is one of them, can really struggle to contain those mountainous power outputs.
I don't think either of us can prove it, but I don't think you would get 19 MPG around town in a 707bhp car.

If you drove it as most would around town I'd say 9 MPG would be nearer the mark.

Thankyou4calling

10,601 posts

173 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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I was just watching what I think we're three year old episodes of Wheeler dealers.

They imported a DeLorean, a challenger and a 50's Chevy pick up. All used cars but they shipped them from the West Coast of the USA (San Francisco) and in the financial summary each cost around £2100 to transport. That didn't include type approval but it made me think that the shipping cost in isolation isn't that much for a U.S. car and probably lower still from New Zyork or Miami.

gixxer

103 posts

261 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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Andyt25 said:
What a horrid looking piece of kit.....700 bhp or not.....horrid.....
I agree, unfortunately they'll be popping up around here like mushrooms, and all wanting to race.
(expat Mustang drivers)

Matt Harper

6,615 posts

201 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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Thankyou4calling said:
Matt Harper said:
Charger also has slightly higher top speed than Challenger due to less aerodynamic front facia (necessary to aid cooling in the case of Challenger) - though I agree with Graemel, the Challenger is a nicer looking car. I don't think the front and back of the Charger suit each other particularly well.

Both Hellcats are formidable - but have to live with the limitations of the chassis and tires, which in certain conditions and drag racing is one of them, can really struggle to contain those mountainous power outputs.
I don't think either of us can prove it, but I don't think you would get 19 MPG around town in a 707bhp car.

If you drove it as most would around town I'd say 9 MPG would be nearer the mark.
Have to say, that 19mpg made me scratch my head too. I have a 392 Challenger with MDS and my numbers are less than 10mpg around town and about 18 highway.

sealtt

3,091 posts

158 months

Saturday 5th September 2015
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Thankyou4calling said:
I was just watching what I think we're three year old episodes of Wheeler dealers.

They imported a DeLorean, a challenger and a 50's Chevy pick up. All used cars but they shipped them from the West Coast of the USA (San Francisco) and in the financial summary each cost around £2100 to transport. That didn't include type approval but it made me think that the shipping cost in isolation isn't that much for a U.S. car and probably lower still from New Zyork or Miami.
I just watched that too, got me thinking about buying an American car and then I found this thread!

Stilltim

9 posts

82 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Matt Harper said:
Have to say, that 19mpg made me scratch my head too. I have a 392 Challenger with MDS and my numbers are less than 10mpg around town and about 18 highway.
I have a 392 Charger. I'm averaging 18 MPG. I don't think it goes as low as 10 anywhere (unless I continually stomp on the gas) and it seems to reach into the low 20s when I'm on the highway.

Hellcat owners are reporting about 12 MPG average. I suspect they can get up to 17 or 19, but only on the highway with cruise control on (cylinder deactivation kicks in.)