The world’s only four-door muscle car comes in three models: SRT Hellcat, SRT 392, and R/T Scat Pack. The focus of this review will be the Hellcat. If you know you like power, speed, and fun, then you know it’s a Hellcat.
The Dodge Charger Hellcat is supercharged with a 6.2-liter Hemi. It produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, resulting in a top speed of 204 miles per hour. That makes Hellcat the fastest and most powerful sedan in the world. Also, it brings a new state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission. I still got 22 mpg, though at speeds considerably under capability.
Charger offers more than 80 available safety and security features including a new full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Stop, and Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist. My favourites were ParkView backup camera with dynamic gridlines and 9-1-1 call/assist call.
The SRT Hellcat has a specific aluminum hood with NACA duct center air intake and dual air extractors. In addition, front and rear fascia and crosshair grille give the Hellcat a “chiseled, nimble, and lighter-weight appearance.”
Newly designed front doors, three-piece spoiler, LED daytime running lamps, and LED fog lamps are just a few examples of the outside beauty of the Charger, and it all rests on standard 20x9.5 forged aluminum wheels.
The new interior offers great styling and materials. The most impressive feature for me was the 7-inch color drive information display cluster. The center stack instrument panel houses the Uconnect Access touchscreen with available 3D navigation and downloadable apps. Aluminum bezel features one-piece construction for consistent appearance from near the A pillar to the surround area of the Uconnect system.
The three-spoke thicker steering wheel with paddle shifters made the Hellcat quick to respond, while providing great comfort and confidence in the curve.
There are 19 interior trim combinations to choose from. My test model was Ruby Red Nappa Leather with Alcantara suede.
Buttons, buttons, and more buttons everywhere. Buttons (large) for Uconnect and phone access now reside along the bottom edge of the console. Even on the steering wheel, nice buttons for audio and cruise are found on the right side of the steering wheel.
Surrounding these buttons are soft-to-touch cast-skin upper instrument and door panels, which add additional comfort and craftsmanship.
Even the oversized door pockets on the four doors feature grained surfacing and integrated bottle holders. Big glove box and cubby bins in front of the center console shifter provide additional storage space.
The Dodge Charger will be built at the Brampton, Ontario assembly plant in Canada. Production for the STR Hellcat is scheduled to begin the first quarter of 2015. The SRT Hellcat starts at $59,995.
I cannot begin to tell you the power I felt when driving the Hellcat. It was like driving in another dimension. Just touch the pedal and Hellcat soars. Outside the windows objects such as trees, houses, and people moved and disappeared in ghost-like phases, and other cars appeared motionless. I did manage to do three turns on the track. After coming to a stop I was visibly trembling with excitement. Yes, I know about the 2015 Dodge Hellcat.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or [email protected].
