Friday 15th August 2014

Charger Hellcat: 'Fastest sedan in the world'

Dodge decides a 700hp Challenger isn't mad enough, drops the V8 into a saloon

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We're big fans of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat at PistonHeads. How couldn't we be? You can have it in orange, there's a red 'go really fast' key and its engine makes more power than an Lamborghini Aventador.

'Brass Monkey' or black are wheel colours

But Dodge has gone one step further and installed the obscene 707hp Hellcat 6.2 V8 HEMI into a Charger. The resulting prospect is truly insane and just so cool. Dodge says 'the world's only four-door muscle car is the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan ever'. Here a mental Brabus or tuned M car will be mentioned but as production four-doors go we think Dodge may have it.

The stats are just crazy. It runs the quarter mile in 11 flat on Pirelli P Zero Neros. 390mm front discs contribute to a 0-100-0mph time of 13 seconds. Limited top speed? Baloney. The Hellcat does 204. Two hundred and four miles per hour. Funnily enough there isn't a 0-60mph time quoted...

As opposed to the Challenger, the Charger will only be offered with a Dodge's TorqueFlite eight-speed auto. Some will grumble but it does at last maintain the 'just an auto family saloon' facade.

Four doors. Five seats. Seven hundred horsepower

The muscle car aficionado will know however. Even if you don't have the 20-inch Slingshot alloys in 'Brass Monkey' the power bulge and scoop in the bonnet will give the game away. The rear spoiler and valance treatment is reasonably subtle actually so let's hope the the exhaust sound is appropriately threatening. There's always the Mopar catalogue if not.

There are five Drive Modes for the Charger Hellcat which alter the usual parameters of shift speed, traction control leniency and adaptive damper stiffness. Default is the start-up mode with Track, Sport and Custom above that. Eco is presumably there for when the distance to the next gas station has been misjudged. A pin-controlled 'Valet Mode' sounds like the car becomes about as much fun as family friendly Hooters. All the downsides with nothing you're really there for.

Being European we'll probably suggest the Charger's interior isn't that great. You won't want for equipment with a TFT gauge display, 8.4-inch 'Uconnect touchscreen media center', Harmon Kardon stereo, Nappa leather and so on but there's nothing to worry an M5 for style. But then it won't be the same price, or have a T-handle shifter for the proper muscle car feel. Or have seven hundred damn horsepower

There isn't a price yet for the Charger SRT in America, but with the Challenger equivalent recently confirmed at just $57,895 (£34,690) it must be in that region. An E63 AMG S would cost you $99,770 (£59,780) Stateside. A hearty well done to you Dodge.

 

[alexpa]

Yeee Haawww!!!

[Impasse]

Blimey. That's, erm, adventurous.

[mrclav]

Monster motorcar. A Monaro replacement perhaps (auto transmission notwithstanding)?

[insideimsmiling]

WOW, surely this defines Pistonheads for the family man. Especially at the predicted stateside price range. Almost makes you want to emigrate, almost.

[gingerbeard]

I really like the look of that! Shame about the auto only though, if only it was as good as the ZF 8-speeds that everyone seems to rave about.

Anyone know how good the auto in this is?

[SturdyHSV]

gingerbeard said:

I really like the look of that! Shame about the auto only though, if only it was as good as the ZF 8-speeds that everyone seems to rave about.

Anyone know how good the auto in this is?

I'd imagine with 700bhp you probably don't have to worry too much about being in the right gear anyway

[Jader1973]

gingerbeard said:

I really like the look of that! Shame about the auto only though, if only it was as good as the ZF 8-speeds that everyone seems to rave about.

Anyone know how good the auto in this is?

It is a ZF box - they use the Torqueflite name now. Same box as RR/ BMW etc

[Monty Python]

Same box as the Challenger - Jay Leno "review" here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWMjR3r-nsI)

[Gorbyrev]

That'll definitely have 300hp/ton!

[-Z-]

First ever saloon with official top speed over 200mph?

So much want, would take this over my M5.

[thatguy11]

Bloody hell, what a monster!

[sinbaddio]

Has to be a challenger for most BHP per £ surely? Bloody fabulous anyway!

[WCZ]

similar price to a nicely specc'd golf GTD....

[StottyEvo]

0-60 in 4 sets of tyres

[Viper]

missing in the article, 0-60 3.7 seconds

[soad]

thatguy11 said:

Bloody hell, what a monster!

[TNW]

I think a trip to the Dodge dealership is in order as soon as one of these rolls off the boat..

Edited by TNW on Friday 15th August 12:20

[T1berious]

Wow. >200 mph and 707Bhp? at 60k? What's not to like? Discrete Menace. Mental amount of want! Good Job Dodge!!

[scubadude]

Monty Python said:

Same box as the Challenger - Jay Leno "review" here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWMjR3r-nsI)

Hmm, that Challenger sounds Dirty- more cars should be speced specifically to make speakers break :-)

[DoctorX]

Yes please. That would make an interesting plodmobile over there.