Dodge Challenger SRT – new 6.2 V8 mill with 707 hp

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Supercharged

The Dodge Challenger SRT has been given a timely nip-and-tuck for the 2015 model year after six years on the market. The tweaks bring the looks of the pumped-up muscle car in line with the regular Challenger models, but also up the performance to the levels only seen by serious machinery such as the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

The SRT is distinguishable from the rest of the range through a deeper front splitter, a power bulge on the aluminium bonnet with dedicated cold-air intake and unique 20-inch wheels, while the interior gets a new “Dark Engine Turn” finish on the aluminium trim, a flat-bottomed SRT-branded steering wheel and optional performance seats with larger side bolsters embroidered with the SRT logo.

But the changes go more than just skin deep. The standard SRT model features a revised 392 HEMI 6.4 litre naturally-aspirated V8 (the same engine as on the Scat Pack and Scat Pack Shaker models) producing 485 hp and 644 Nm, 15 hp and 7 Nm more than before.

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT

The big news, however, is the new Hellcat (yes, really) 6.2 litre supercharged HEMI V8 that delivers an enormous 707 hp and 880 Nm, making it the most powerful Chrysler Group V8 ever produced. It is so powerful that owners are even provided with a separate valet key that clips performance. Both engines can be specified with either a six-speed manual or a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.

In addition, the SRT Hellcat is fitted with 275/40 Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres all around with a special Y-Plus speed rating, as well as a Brembo braking system with 390 mm discs and six-pot callipers at the front.

Hellcat models are set further apart through a new front fascia, dual air extractors on the bonnet, an Air Catcher intake integrated into the left parking light, “Supercharged” fender badges, a taller rear spoiler, 20-inch lightweight forged wheels finished in dark bronze, “Hectic Mesh” finish on the aluminium interior trim as well as red instrument gauges.

Power output, transmission shift speed for the automatic, steering, traction control and suspension settings can all be customised for both models through the Drive Modes feature, controlled through the car’s Uconnect system. Three preset modes – Default, Sport and Track – are available, as well as a user-configurable Custom setting.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • shawal on May 21, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Woohoo!!!
    Another ossum possum car which i’ll never be able to own

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Cheung on May 21, 2014 at 10:58 am

    This is one real AMERICAN muscle !!!
    I love to own one in Bolehland .
    2nd would be the GT-R

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • hellcat..hell yeah!!!
    dreaming it comes w smaller engine to can sell in msia…
    no matter how modern, the looks are soo retro n cool…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • lonelyobserve on May 21, 2014 at 11:19 am

    The sound from OHV engines also one of its kind in muscle cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • AVH (Member) on May 21, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    The Hellcat, an american born fighter design to counter Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, it replaces the Wildccat as the standard Navy figh…….wait, wrong Hellcat. Okay, Hellcat, an American born turreted tank destroyer design to counter the German Daimler-MAN PzKpfw V Panther, it was light and fast……..wait wrong Hellcat again.

    To any extand, Hellcat is a name held highly in Americana, it is IMO, more revered than names such as Mustang or Corvettes, and this carries than name magnificiently. The Chellenger is by all means, the meanest and scariest muscle car available, and no matter how much new tech that are available in the Mustang and Cameros, nor how much they are faster and more efficient, this is truly an old school muscle car. HUGE unadulterated Power?! check, mean look? check, relatively old school set up? check…….And this monster, it really is worthy of the ‘Hellcat’ name.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Jaybond on May 21, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      The Hellcat tank is a worthy opponent of the Panzer IV tanks, but certainly not the Panther tanks. Allied’s answers to the medium class Panther tanks are the Sherman 76(W) & Sherman Firefly..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • AVH (Member) on May 21, 2014 at 5:20 pm

        The M18 hellcat does have the 76mm gun that is used in the later models of the Sherman like the M4A3E8 ‘easy eight’. Even thou it’s only 1mm larger in caliber, the longer barrel coupled with a larger powder charge and longer APCR rounds means that it can pierce more armor. And in this case, the slope armor of the Panthers as well as Tigers.

        Fun fact: the Sherman firefly 17pdr is technically inferior than the 76mm M1 gun on later Sherman’s and hellcats, during US army testing. Both guns are 76mm, you see the reason the firefly can kill panther is that at 2km, it has the ability to punch through the panthers armor…..but using APDS, the British develope them first and used them. But APDS was in limited supply compared to the APCBC that the 17pdr usually use, and that has only 14% chance on penetrating the panthers armor. And the APDS at 2km, the accuracy on hitting a 5x2m plate(larger than a panthers front) is 14% and needs to get to at least 500m to achieve a 70% chance, by than the American develope and mass produced AP shells can penetrate it anyways. And American AP shells were better and more accurate than the British AP ones used in the 17pdr.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • Jaybond on May 21, 2014 at 5:38 pm

          I thought the only American wartime AT gun superior to the British 17 pdr gun was the 90mm found on Pershing tank & M36 Tank Destroyer? Before the advent of M26 Pershing & M36 Jackson, Sherman Firefly was the only allied tank capable of knocking out Tiger 1 & Panther frontal armor.American 76mm could knock ’em out – from the side..

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • AVH (Member) on May 21, 2014 at 7:34 pm

          No it was a common misconception that the VC firefly was ‘the best Sherman’ but the reason was it was the only tank to be able to take The cats (Tiger, panthers and king tigers) frontally at the time……during D-Day

          The British army fielded a large amount of Sherman firefly during the invasion of Normandy. It achieved legendary status as ‘the only thing that can kill tigers’ at that time….but the US army left all their capabled 76mm Sheman at UK. By the time they actually brought 76mm Sherman’s to European mainland(during the battle if the bulge) the Sherman firefly was already battle harden, along with the hellcats in France.

          The 76mm Sherman’s were better by a little way than the 17pdr firefly except the firefly has APDS….which can kill the cats much further than the 76mm M1 can. But APDS was available in limited numbers, and that distance advantage is good provided that the APDS can hit the target. Also APDS tends to bounce of slopes which the panter armor is. So the probability of a kill at that distance was 14%…..to achieve greater result it has to go nearer, but by than the advantage of the 17pdr is already neglected.

          The 76mm gun was fitted into a larger and better armored turret unlike the VC firefly which mount it on an existing 75mm gunned Sherman turret. That means it has more space for the loader to load the rounds, this faster rate of fire. The bigger turret also has more hatch, meaning that crew can get out faster than the old Sherman turret that the firefly has.

          And this paultan becomes a WW2 site.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Can BMW M3 beat this thing?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • American smoke machine. Lazy V8 will grunt on the Tarmac…. Right hand drive please…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Azmani Mohamed on May 21, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    Sweet HEMI V8 sound!

    If only they make it in right hand drive. Unfortunately because of the British, we drive on the wrong (left) side compared to the rest of the world. Which most automakers don’t care.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Fahmi on May 21, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Finally, a factory supercharged Challenger! Way to go, Dodge! Put this beast in the Charger sedan as well..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • You can listen to the Hellcat engine rev here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2d3YpJVYk

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dodge just released the horsepower figure. The hellcat produces 707 BHP.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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