Meet the Hellcat, The Most Powerful Challenger Ever
Challenger finally gets the giant-killing motor it always deserved
Imthishan Giado
Camaro Zl-what? Mustang GT500-who? After so many years in the wilderness, Dodge has made a big jump back into the performance arena with the reveal of the long-rumored, 600bhp+ Challenger Hellcat, a big bad two-fingered salute to all other muscle cars.
Boasting a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, the Hellcat will sport ‘600-plus’ horsepower – stop teasing SRT – that may well usurp even the Viper’s 640bhp outputs. This is Dodge’s first supercharged engine ever, featured forged crankshafts, forged pistons and – you guessed it – forged connecting rods channelling power through the TorqueFlite 8-speed auto. Of course, an optional (and upgraded) six-speed manual remains available.
The regular Challenger SRT 392 joins in the fun with a bump of its own: 485bhp (from 470bhp) and 475lb ft of torque (from 470). It also gets the eight speed auto, in addition to the existing Tremec manual.
The new SRTs ride on a new eight-spoke 20” inch ‘77’ wheel while the Hellcat rolls on ‘Slingshot’ seven-spoked forged items. Standard are the largest front brakes ever fitted to an SRT, 15.4-inch Brembo two-piece rotors. Bust most importantly, the Hellcat gets the lush new 2015 interior
Recognising the new SRTs will be super-easy. The new Challengers both feature lighter aluminium hoods with a massive scoop for coke – sorry, cold air to directly enter the engine. Car spotters – the Hellcat can be differentiated by its dual air extractors and larger front splitter, and a unique rear spoiler.
Oh, and trivia fans – this is the most powerful production Mopar V8 ever. 1971 Hemi? 425bhp ‘officially’ though many suspect it actually churned out well in excess of 500bhp. Still not a match for the mighty Hellcat!
Check below for more images of the Hellcat
