Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat ... now with 707 HP

[shrike126]

Holy. ****.

Hold onto your butts. "600-plus horsepower" is what we were told to expect from the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT with its 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 engine. But as we've just learned, those were incredibly conservative numbers. Dodge has officially announced that the range-topping Challenger will hit the asphalt with 707 – seven hundred and seven – horsepower, making it the "most powerful muscle car ever."

Of course, 707 hp is only part of the story, as the Hellcat has also been confirmed to produce 650 pound-feet of torque. All that power will run exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission that differs from other Challengers. The new gearbox, 8HP90 (rather than the 8HP70) is "upgraded to handle the extra power and torque," says Dan Reid, SRT's manager of product design and motorsports.

We certainly hope you're prepared to spend a ton of money replacing tires.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/01/2...fficial-video/

This car's only purpose is to convert rubber tires directly into smoke. A testament to man's folly. And I want one.

[OverclockN']

I'll admit, I was impressed. Anxiously waiting to see what kind of 1/4mi times it can put down.

[DigitalDemon]

I am worried about those skinny tires. If anything, this car should be running the same 355s on the rears as the Viper. Tub it if you have to, cause right now all I see is wasted horsepower. Though if you could get this thing to plant, I wouldn't be surprised if it dipped into the 10s.

[Elysian]

10s quarter mile, slam into a wall the first time you take a turn

[swingline]

I wouldn't drive that if someone gave it to me.

[OverclockN']

Originally Posted by DigitalDemon

I am worried about those skinny tires. If anything, this car should be running the same 355s on the rears as the Viper. Tub it if you have to, cause right now all I see is wasted horsepower. Though if you could get this thing to plant, I wouldn't be surprised if it dipped into the 10s.

No way in hell it'll run 10's. This thing is going to weigh around 4,400lbs most likely.

[McTurok]

I really like the "Hellcat" name. Very catchy.

And damn, I'm not sure they could have picked a better song to go with their videos.

Thumbs up to the marketing team on this one.

[OverclockN']

Originally Posted by swingline

I wouldn't drive that if someone gave it to me.

Why not? I wouldn't buy one, but I'd drive it. Ohhhhh, I'd drive it for sure.

[Sound_Card]

707 is pretty impressive, but I'll take the boss 302 any day over it.

[Cowzrul]

That article is retarded. Why would they put that engine in the Viper when they could just supercharge the Viper engine if they wanted more power? Plus that would make a hell of a lot more than 707 hp.

[swingline]

Originally Posted by OverclockN'

Why not? I wouldn't buy one, but I'd drive it. Ohhhhh, I'd drive it for sure.

The Challenger does absolutely nothing for me: they're enormous, slow, and expensive for what you get.

Chrysler seems to think they can just throw more power at the car and neglect the rest.

[Elysian]

Originally Posted by OverclockN'

Why not? I wouldn't buy one, but I'd drive it. Ohhhhh, I'd drive it for sure.

So you can feel what its like to drive a truck with that much power? Your Vette is way better.

[OverclockN']

Originally Posted by swingline

The Challenger does absolutely nothing for me: they're enormous, slow, and expensive for what you get.

Chrysler seems to think they can just throw more power at the car and neglect the rest.

Agreed on all points.

Still, if someone were stupid enough to give me the keys I'd drive the hell out of it.

[swingline]

Originally Posted by Elysian

So you can feel what its like to drive a truck with that much power? Your Vette is way better.

I actually drive a truck with more horsepower.

[Shadowless]

Originally Posted by Sound_Card

707 is pretty impressive, but I'll take the boss 302 any day over it.

They are 2 different cars

[DigitalDemon]

Originally Posted by OverclockN'

No way in hell it'll run 10's. This thing is going to weigh around 4,400lbs most likely.

When my Roadrunner was pushing just over 700hp, it ran 10s, and it was just about 4500lbs. The key to that statement was a really good launch, and a source of traction, which the hellcat is definitely lacking in the latter.

There are plenty of 4400+lbs Challengers out there with the Keene Bell supercharger setup putting down less than 700hp and hitting 10s. Fit some proper tires, get a really good launch, and that 8 speed auto should have it touching 10s.

[Shadowless]

Wonder what tires this thing will come with. Hopefully some Pilot Super Sports or Pilot Sport Cups.

[Elysian]

Originally Posted by swingline

I actually drive a truck with more horsepower.

I know, I thought about mentioning it My friends' Challenger R/T felt like you were driving a truck, it didn't feel car-like at all. If you want that much power in a vehicle that drives like a truck, buy a truck.

[switchAMG]

Its an overweight, ugly car but the numbers are impressive. Curious to see what kind of 1/4 mile times it can put down -- they are speculating sub 12 and 0-60 in 3.5.

Love it or hate it the thing is a beast.

[Sound_Card]

Originally Posted by Shadowless

They are 2 different cars

They are both special edition elite versions of their muscle car. Or is this some more shadow troll?

[Shadowless]

Originally Posted by Sound_Card

They are both special edition elite versions of their muscle car. Or is this some more shadow troll?

Boss 302 was a production TRACK car. The HellCat is in direct compeition with the GT500 and ZL1.

I don't need to troll when you don't know what you are talking about.

[switchAMG]

Originally Posted by Shadowless

Boss 302 was a production TRACK car. The HellCat is in direct compeition with the GT500 and ZL1.

I don't need to troll when you don't know what you are talking about.

Its true that the Hellcat is being pointed at the Shelby and the ZL1 but the ZL1 and the Boss 302 have been compared numerous times for their track capability. Not a stretch to say Boss 302 vs Hellcat.

[acroig]

Originally Posted by switchAMG

Its an overweight, ugly car but the numbers are impressive. Curious to see what kind of 1/4 mile times it can put down -- they are speculating sub 12 and 0-60 in 3.5.

Love it or hate it the thing is a beast.

I like the way it looks, very retro cool.

[Shadowless]

Originally Posted by switchAMG

Its true that the Hellcat is being pointed at the Shelby and the ZL1 but the ZL1 and the Boss 302 have been compared numerous times for their track capability. Not a stretch to say Boss 302 vs Hellcat.

Would you take a hellcat around the track? I wouldn't.

Also, I find the Boss 302 to ZL1 comparison to not be a fair one because the SS is such a shitbox that for the ZL1 they had to improve on everything. The Boss used more or less a GT drivetrain with a different tune and different intake manifold, the differences were in the setup. The ZL1 uses a bigass blown LS motor, magnetic ride, etc. The Z28 is the Camaro's track version.

[Shadowless]

Originally Posted by acroig

I like the way it looks, very retro cool.

Looks wise it's my favorite pony car. Every time I pull up next to an R/T or SRT the coolness just oozes out of it. But I'm a big homer for late 60's/Early 70's muscle cars.

[switchAMG]

Originally Posted by Shadowless

Would you take a hellcat around the track? I wouldn't.

Also, I find the Boss 302 to ZL1 comparison to not be a fair one because the SS is such a shitbox that for the ZL1 they had to improve on everything. The Boss used more or less a GT drivetrain with a different tune and different intake manifold, the differences were in the setup. The ZL1 uses a bigass blown LS motor, magnetic ride, etc. The Z28 is the Camaro's track version.

I would.

That said, most 302 owners spend more time in 1/4 mile lineups than they do on a track. At the end of the day its a Mustang vs. a Challenger and the comparison is valid.

[acroig]

Originally Posted by Shadowless

Looks wise it's my favorite pony car. Every time I pull up next to an R/T or SRT the coolness just oozes out of it.

Same here.

[swingline]

Originally Posted by switchAMG

Its an overweight, ugly car but the numbers are impressive. Curious to see what kind of 1/4 mile times it can put down -- they are speculating sub 12 and 0-60 in 3.5.

Love it or hate it the thing is a beast.

Sub 12 seconds, really impressive.

[shrike126]

Help me understand the criticisms that it's too big and too heavy to be a good car... I thought the term "muscle car" was primarily intended to describe a big heavy engine with 2 doors slapped on it? I don't expect muscle cars to be designed with the Nurburgring in mind. But rather, that they're intended for quarter mile drags or going very fast, very quickly, in a straight line. While still needing a bit of comfort around the corners, I didn't think muscle cars were designed for F1 tracks.

[swingline]

When it's so heavy that 1/4 mile times suffer, that's a bit of a problem if you're a muscle car.

Edit: And it's 2014 - there doesn't need to be a trade-off between straightline performance or handling.