2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat and Challenger Hellcat
If you don’t already know, the 2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat and 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat are two of the meanest cars to ever hit the streets. These cars strike all the right notes when it comes to comfort, economy and flat-out performance. Each is equipped with a 6.2-liter HEMI V8 that pumps out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. That means that these two cars are not only shockingly fast, but the Charger actually takes the crown as the world’s fastest four-door with a top speed of 204 mph (the Challenger is drag limited to 199 mph). However, even though both cars are built on the same basic platform, the two Hellcats’ personalities are completely different.
The Challenger for instance is a large two-door coupe that, when properly equipped, is one of the best open road GT cars on sale today. Styling cues, both inside and out, are taken directly from Challengers of the 1970s. With one of the best interiors in the class and an engine capable of blasting its 4,439lb of curb weight down the quarter-mile in 11-seconds, the Challenger Hellcat is a car that simply demands respect wherever it goes.
Designers have also added some pretty trick bits to the Challenger Hellcat that not only enhance its performance, but its appearance as well. Look closely and you’ll notice a single snorkel intake that replaces the inner headlamp on the right-hand side. Its purpose is to feed air to the car’s big twin-screw supercharger that sits atop the 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine. The hood has also been modified to incorporate a TransAm style scoop and dual functional heat extractors (similar to that of the Charger). While the overall styling keeps the Challenger Hellcat close to its roots, the amount of technology and power the car offers keeps it cemented as the front-runner in its class.
On the flipside, the Charger Hellcat appeals to a slightly different crowd then its two-door sibling by giving consumers not only more versatility, but a bit more top speed as well. Got a family and need extra space? No problem, as the Charger’s four doors and massive trunk will accommodate. Feel like ripping off an 11-second quarter-mile at the local drag night? No worries either, as it’s simply the quickest four-door sedan you can buy… period.
From mechanical and interior perspectives, both cars are very similar as they share much of the same components. There are however some slight differences. As the Challenger sports more of a muscle car vibe, it has been outfitted with a bit less sound insulation and a different exhaust note than the Charger. The Charger on the other hand, benefits from a slightly softer suspension and different interior acoustics due to it being more “family friendly” if you can call it that.
One of the biggest selling points for both models is the price. With the Challenger Hellcat starting at $59,995.00 and the Charger Hellcat at $63,995.00, these two road missiles undercut everything else on the market by a wide margin. It’s rare that we get this excited about new vehicles. After logging a few thousand miles under our belts in each of these cars we can safely say that Dodge has not only re-written the rule book when it comes to performance value-per-dollar, but they’ve put every other manufacturers on notice as to what they’re capable of in the performance arena.
Story By: AutoNation.com
Image Credits: AutoNation.com |
