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2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat First Test: Hell Hath Fury: Dodge Builds One of the Most Surprisingly Enjoyable Cars You Can Buy
Jonny Lieberman Writer Jul 28, 2014
The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat cuts a menacing silhouette against the twilight sky. A creature of raw power and unapologetic attitude, it prowls the streets of downtown Los Angeles with the swagger of a predator that knows it owns the asphalt. As I navigate the rapidly gentrifying avenues, the low growl of its engine vibrates through the chassis, a primal sound that demands attention.
Beside me, a white Bentley Continental GT Speed glides past, its twin-turbo W-12 engine whispering with a mere 616 horsepower. A fleeting thought crosses my mind: Poor Bentley, only 600 horsepower? Such is the effect of the Hellcat’s 707 horsepower and hair-trigger throttle—it recalibrates your perception of automotive performance. When I finally press the accelerator, the resulting surge of power etches an indelible smile onto my face that refuses to fade.
While our previous first drive detailed the technical marvel of how Dodge engineers coaxed a staggering 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque from the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, this test focuses on the visceral experience—the soul of the machine. As Erick Ayapana noted, “The supercharger whine can double as an air raid siren.” It’s a sound that builds from a low rumble to a ferocious crescendo, a mechanical battle cry that announces the Hellcat’s arrival long before it crests the horizon.
The Unmistakable Challenger Persona
How does this beast handle the curves? As Scott Evans aptly put it, “Just like a Challenger. Understeer into the corner, oversteer out.” This isn’t a car that sacrifices its identity for the sake of track dominance. If you seek catlike reflexes combined with massive horsepower, the Corvette Z06 awaits. The Hellcat, however, is a different breed entirely—a heavy, muscular boulevard yacht with a Hellfire missile lurking beneath its sculpted hood.
The genius of the Hellcat lies in this duality. Within the plush, comfortable confines of its front thrones, the cabin is a sanctuary of potent, finger-chilling air conditioning and a righteous stereo system. Yet, with a mere flex of the right ankle, the rear tires can be completely subjugated in almost any of the eight gears. Our test car, equipped with the ZF automatic transmission, posted a time of 24.7 seconds around our figure-eight course—remarkably, the exact same time as the featherweight Alfa Romeo 4C. This achievement speaks volumes about the engineering prowess that went into managing this much power in such a substantial package.
The Art of the Burnout
So, what truly happens when you unleash the Hellcat from a standstill? A symphony of car-guy fantasies, for starters. With all traction and stability nannies deactivated, the tires readily surrender to the onslaught of power, dissolving into thick, swirling clouds of white smoke. A pro tip for prospective owners: The front and rear tires are identical—20-inch, 275-width Pirelli P Zeros all around. So when the rears inevitably succumb to your enthusiasm, simply swap them with the fronts. Remember, you didn’t purchase the Hellcat for autocross glory; that’s reserved for the Miata brigade. If your primary purchasing criterion is the production of juvenile, tire-obliterating burnouts, the Hellcat stands alone as the reigning champion.
Dodge has equipped the Challenger Hellcat with a launch control system, allowing you to preset the engine’s holding RPM via the infotainment screen. Brake firmly, stomp the accelerator, release the brake, and away you rocket. However, our testing revealed that this method isn’t the quickest path to automotive nirvana. The fastest quarter-mile runs were achieved through judicious throttle modulation and an audacious decision to initiate the launch in second gear. This confirms a phenomenon observed in other high-horsepower rear-drive vehicles, such as John Hennessey’s 700-hp Cadillac CTS-V coupe: first gear becomes a mere formality, a device whose sole purpose is to generate spectacular plumes of smoke. Once the 700-horsepower threshold is breached, traction becomes the ultimate adversary.
Performance Metrics: The Numbers That Matter
Now for the figures that truly define the Hellcat’s prowess. Our best run to date yielded a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, followed by a quarter-mile conquest in 11.7 seconds at a blistering 125.4 mph. These numbers demand context. In direct competition, the Hellcat eclipses the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which requires 3.8 seconds to reach 60 mph and 12.2 seconds for the quarter mile, trapping at 116.6 mph. A definitive victory for Mopar.
However, we must acknowledge the recently discontinued Shelby GT500. The lighter Ford, boasting 662 horsepower, managed a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds, albeit at a slightly higher trap speed of 125.7 mph. While the Snake held a marginal advantage, it’s a phantom in the current market, a ghost of muscle car past. For those seeking the most potent new vehicle on the market, the GT500 is no longer an option.
Then there’s the Viper. In TA trim, it blitzed to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and devoured the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds, reaching an astonishing trap speed of 129.3 mph. Of course, the Hellcat shoulders an additional 1,000 pounds compared to its V10-powered sibling. This weight penalty is a significant factor, yet the Hellcat’s performance remains squarely in the same rarefied atmosphere.
It’s crucial to note that these results stem from the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The manual-equipped Hellcat features taller gearing, which necessitates launching in first gear. We will revisit the Ford versus Dodge comparison once the row-your-own variant graces our test fleet. Until then, let the faithful rejoice! The 11.2-second quarter-mile time Dodge has been touting to the world? That figure was achieved on a prepped VHT surface—a far cry from the asphalt of public roads. Our metrics, conducted on standard pavement, reflect real-world conditions.
Trap Speed Analysis: The True Measure of Velocity
Trap speeds offer a compelling lens through which to evaluate performance. A trap speed of 125 mph is nothing short of extraordinary. Consider the Porsche 911 Turbo S, a benchmark of engineering excellence. It completes the quarter mile in a mere 10.9 seconds (on Pirelli P Zeros, incidentally), yet its trap speed registers at 123.7 mph. The Porsche’s quicker time is attributable to its all-wheel-drive system, which provides superior launch traction. However, the Dodge, priced at a third of the Porsche’s $180,000 MSRP (the Hellcat retails for approximately $60,000), achieves a higher velocity at the 1,320-foot mark. In the realm of stoplight-to-stoplight competition, where GPS tracking is non-existent, the Hellcat’s raw top-end power reigns supreme.
Even the Nissan GT-R Track Edition, often referred to as Godzilla, cannot match the Hellcat’s terminal velocity. The 2014 GT-R completes the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds flat but traps at a comparatively pedestrian 125.1 mph. The Hellcat may be marginally quicker in the absolute sense, but its ability to reach a higher exit speed is a testament to its brute-force engineering.
The Verdict: An All-Time Great
To fully unlock the Challenger Hellcat’s potential, equip it with wider, stickier rear tires. With this simple modification, it possesses the capability to embarrass cars costing double and triple its price. One can only imagine the fate of a retired and tire-prepped Hellcat when pitted against a Shelby GT500. The prospect is tantalizing.
For now, Hellcat owners can bask in the knowledge that the next cheapest vehicle capable of producing 700 horsepower is the $322,638 Ferrari F12berlinetta, which produces a mere 731 hp. More importantly, I’ve driven both the Hellcat and the F12, and I would unequivocally choose the Dodge for pure driving enjoyment. I’ve also logged extensive time in the Shelby GT500, the Viper, and the ZL1. The Hellcat, without question, stands above them all.
Hats off to the Dodge engineers. They haven’t just built a car; they’ve forged an icon—an all-time great that redefines the very notion of accessible American muscle. The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is not merely a vehicle; it’s a statement, a celebration of raw power, and a testament to the enduring spirit of American automotive engineering. It’s a car that reminds us that sometimes, the most enjoyable path to performance is the one less traveled—the path of the Hellcat.
