Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Quick Drive: 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

      707 horsepower in a sedan!

    Last fall, I had the chance to drive a Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack for a week and fell in love. It was basically an SRT Charger, minus a few items for just under $40,000. This fall, another high-performance Charger came in a week’s stay and it was packing more heat. 707 horsepower to be exact. Yes, I finally got my hands on a Hellcat. What was it like? It was fast, but you want more information than that.

    • That 707 horsepower figure comes courtesy from a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8. Torque is rated at 650 pound-feet.This is backed up by an eight-speed automatic only. If you want a manual, then you’ll need to get the Challenger Hellcat.
    • Trying to explain just how fast the Charger Hellcat is difficult. This is a car that you need to drive or sit in to experience the ferocity of the V8 engine. The best way I can use to describe the Hellcat’s power delivery is engaging warp drive. Step on the accelerator and the supercharger whirrs into life and the V8 produces a roar very few vehicles can dream. Blink and you’ll be at an illegal speed before you know it.
    • Taking turns in the Hellcat is somewhat difficult because of the accelerator. You need to roll on it if you want to do it smoothly. If you step on the accelerator pedal like you would on a standard vehicle, the back will become very loose and the stability control will kick on to get the vehicle straightened out. This is especially important due to the tires fitted to Hellcat, a set of Pirelli P-Zeros. These tires need to be warmed up before they begin to bite the road.
    • The Hellcat will be a regular at the fuel pump with fuel economy figures of 13 City/22 Highway/16 Combined. I got about 14.3 mpg during my week in mostly city driving.
    • Handling? That’s the surprising part as the Charger Hellcat doesn’t embarrass itself. Fitted with an adaptive suspension system, the Charger Hellcat shows little body roll when put into Sport and provides a smooth ride when in comfort. The steering system provides the right amount of feel and heft you want in a performance vehicle. 
    • Bringing a 707 horsepower vehicle to a stop is no easy task, but a set of massive Brembo brakes is up to the task. It brings the Charger Hellcat to a quick halt.
    • The Charger Hellcat looks like your standard SRT Charger with a new front clip and lowered stance. There are some slight differences such as a new hood, 20-inch wheels finished in a dark bronze color, and the requisite Hellcat emblems on the front fenders.
    • Inside, the Hellcat isn’t that much different from the standard Charger aside from the speedometer going 200 mph. It would have been nice if Dodge could have done some sprucing of the interior to not make it feel so dank and dark. A little bit more color on the dash would not be a bad thing.
    • The front seats have extra bolstering to hold you in when you decide to let loose all 707 horsepower or take a turn a bit too fast.
    • As I mentioned in my Ram 1500 Quick Drive last week, the Charger’s UConnect system is beginning to show its age. The interface is still easy to use but is beginning to show signs of aging. Performance isn’t as snappy either as in previous FCA models. Hopefully, the 2017 model is able to get the updated UConnect system that debuted in the Pacifica.
    • The UConnect system in the Charger Hellcat does come with SRT Pages. This allows you to record 0-60, quarter-mile, and reaction times. It also allows you to change various performance settings such as gear changes, suspension, and whether you want the full 707 horsepower or 500. The last one pertains if you happen to have the red key.
    • In terms of pricing, the Charger Hellcat kicks off at $65,495. With options and a $1,700 gas guzzler tax, our tester came to $72,820. Compared to other high-performance sedans, the Hellcat is quite the steal.
    • If it was my money on the line, I would go for the Charger R/T Scat Pack. I get most of the enjoyment of the Hellcat, minus the supercharger whine. But I would have a fair chunk of change that I could spend on hopping it up.
    • But I understand why someone would go for the Charger Hellcat. It is a four-door sedan that provides explosive acceleration and engine note that no other vehicle can dare match. There’s something magical about stepping on the accelerator, being flung back into the seat due to power on tap, and then laughing like a four-year old after what happened.

    Disclaimer: Dodge Provided the Charger Hellcat, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

    (Author’s Note: That’s a wrap for the 2016 review season. We’ll be back with the first batch of 2017 model year vehicles after New Years. But I will be picking my favorite vehicles I drove this year. Expect to see that before the year comes to a close.)

    Year: 2016
    Make: Dodge
    Model: Charger
    Trim: SRT Hellcat
    Engine: Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8
    Driveline: Eight-speed automatic, Rear-wheel drive
    Horsepower @ RPM: 707 @ 6,000
    Torque @ RPM: 650 @ 4,800
    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 13/22/16
    Curb Weight: 4,570 lbs
    Location of Manufacture: Brampton, Ontario
    Base Price: $65,945
    As Tested Price: $72,820 (Includes $995 Destination Charge and $1,700 Gas Guzzler Tax)

    Options:
    Customer Preferred Package 23T - $1,995.00
    20-inch x 9.5-inch Brass Monkey SRT Forged Wheels - $995.00
    275/40ZR20 P Zero Summer Tires - $595.00
    Redline Red Tri-coat Pearl Exterior Paint - $595.00

    Edited by William Maley


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    Where else are you going to get 707 horsepower for that price?

    OEM, nowhere. But turbo a Camaro or Mustang and you can get there for well under 65k. I know once you get into the aftermarket it's a weird game to play but that's the only way to get 700hp for cheaper. Obviously you will not have a nice factory warranty. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    As I said $72k for a car?!?! 707hp or not  .....Prices for new cars have gotten crazy ridiculous.,but since one could go ahead and get a great lease/rent rate one one it makes it all better. 

     Since the masses have spoken I'll just be quiet now.

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    21 hours ago, William Maley said:

    Handling? That’s the surprising part as the Charger Hellcat doesn’t embarrass itself. Fitted with an adaptive suspension system, the Charger Hellcat shows little body roll when put into Sport and provides a smooth ride when in comfort. The steering system provides the right amount of feel and heft you want in a performance vehicle. 

    This is why I adore greatly the Challenger....Scat pack or Hellcat.

    Its a muscle car. A modern muscle car. It handles just as good, if not better than any modern sporty offering from any manufacturer today. 

    Porsche 911 or Chevy Camaro or Corvette it is not...does it have to be though? When our roads are pretty much straight anyway?

    Besides, it handles waaaaaay better than anything that came out in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. Hell, it probably out handles any sports car that came out in the 1990s too. Minus a Ferrari or a Porsche 911...

    Its a heavy car. Heavy cars are better cruisers. And muscle cars are certainly made for that as well...OK...muscle cars and the Charger/Challenger will never be able to out-cruise a behemoth 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88...I gather the Dodge brothers are probably one of the best cruisers around in 2016.

    Hellcat or Scat pack. More than enough power to out accelerate anything on the road including super cars. The Hellcat's 707 is for bragging rights, and only people with stick up their butts finding faults with 707 on a Mopar Hellcat will find faults with that. Cool cats from any walk of life will appreciate what it means to have 707 under the hood of a big, bad Dodge!

    So there you have it.

    Thanx Will.I.Am. for a wonderful and unbiased review of a Hellcat.

    Too many people sometimes want to skew the awesomenous of these Mopars into a negative light for some reason.

    21 hours ago, William Maley said:

    But I understand why someone would go for the Charger Hellcat. It is a four-door sedan that provides explosive acceleration and engine note that no other vehicle can dare match. There’s something magical about stepping on the accelerator, being flung back into the seat due to power on tap, and then laughing like a four-year old after what happened.

    I said 707 is for bragging rights only...

    Well...maybe not.

    This might be an excellent and ONLY reason to spend 72 thousand on one!!!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    19 hours ago, Stew said:

    Great review.  Really hope they give you a Daytona 392 to try next year.  Hellcat brakes, tires, and suspension with the 6.4 for around 45k. 

    And I believe the hood is the Hellcat hood too?

    Regardless...yeah, this trim too gets me all warm and fuzzy inside along with Hellcat and Scat pack

     

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

    And I believe the hood is the Hellcat hood too?

    Regardless...yeah, this trim too gets me all warm and fuzzy inside along with Hellcat and Scat pack

     

    Yep and the Hellcat wheels too and in that new Destroyer Grey.........

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    5 hours ago, Guest Orang Pendek said:

    As I said $72k for a car?!?! 707hp or not  .....Prices for new cars have gotten crazy ridiculous.,but since one could go ahead and get a great lease/rent rate one one it makes it all better. 

     Since the masses have spoken I'll just be quiet now.

     

    For people who can afford $72k for a car, it probably is a really sweet deal to get 707 horsepower. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    23 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    For people who can afford $72k for a car, it probably is a really sweet deal to get 707 horsepower. 

    Just because i can't afford it doesn't mean I won't lust after it.  Hellcats, Grand Sports, Orlando Bloom in his elf ears........

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • They want to replace them with resource units that swear loyalty to the orange sh*tgibbon.  They want mindless red hat zombies.
    • Economist have reviewed how a 25% tariff against signed trading partners in North America will affect us and this is based on a family of 4, average increase in food costs of $185 per month. Example is that the U.S. has moved to importing fruit year round and in many cases the rare fruit is not available any other place but outside the U.S. and they also pointed to America's love of Avocado's and Guacamole, which is 90% brought in from Mexico with only 10% produced here during our summer season. Then they point to the fact that the bulk of timber comes in from Canada, so building will have a 25% jump in costs. This just screams stupid. National security adviser Mike Waltz sends home dozens of NSC officials Why would you send home those that know the best on places that hate America and possibly replace them with Yes men that are clueless about the state of the world. Just Stupid on a Major Level.  This anyone could see happening, the board of Tesla better start thinking about finding a new CEO/Chairman if they want to survive. Elon Musk Getting More and More Unpopular, Now Disliked By Majority of Americans: WSJ Poll
    • The first-ever all-electric V-Series vehicle, the LYRIQ-V delivers signature performance blended with craftsmanship and technology in a 2026 performance model.  To quote John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac: “V-Series captures the spirit of Cadillac, embodying our relentless pursuit of engineering excellence through our racing and production vehicles, LYRIQ-V takes this commitment a step further in the EV era, pushing our performance pedigree of V-Series to new heights with a powerful, personalized and high-tech driving experience that fits perfectly into our customers’ lives.” The 2026 LYRIQ-V is a sporty luxury vehicle that delivers a multifaceted, iconic character with pure performance-driven experience that includes the following: Cadillac-estimated 615 hp and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque Cadillac-estimated 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds with Velocity Max, making it the quickest Cadillac ever A multi-layered, unique exterior and interior signature sound Competitive Mode, enabling a suite of traction management features specifically engineered to increase vehicle agility LYRIQ-V will be sold in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as other global markets to be announced at a later date. Production starts early 2025 at General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee. Lets dig into the Performance side of this latest V edition to the Cadillac lineup.  LYRIQ-V is stated to deliver an estimated 285 miles of range using a 102 kW battery pack in an AWD dual motor configuration that gives the owner 615 hp with 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. This V is engineered to deliver Cadillac's signature isolated precision, quiet, smooth, effortless experience while delivering a strong connection to the road. LYRIQ-V comes with a standard continuous damping control, specifically calibrated for the V edition that combines a lowered multi-link suspension, quicker steering ratio, V handling in a comfortable yet spirited ride. Velocity MAX, a driver selectable feature unleashes the vehicle's full performance capability at a push of the button on the steering wheel. LYRIQ-V will come with the additional performance-supporting and enhancing technologies: V-Mode takes performance customization further, allowing drivers to save performance-focused settings, including Competitive Mode and a unique sound experience. It’s intended to offer instant access to their preferred performance-driving settings via the V button, mounted on the steering wheel. V-Mode can also be accessed in the Drive Mode app within the 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display. Unique, multi-layered sound experience. Interior and exterior signature sounds are synchronized for an orchestrated sonic experience. Launch Control, designed for consistently thrilling straight line acceleration. When engaged in V-Mode or Velocity Max, the vehicle will deliver an extremely rapid 3.3 second 0-60 acceleration. Competitive Mode enables a suite of traction management features specifically engineered to increase vehicle agility. Brembo® performance front brake calipers are standard. In addition to providing excellent stopping capability, they’re designed to provide consistent, fade-resistant performance during spirited driving. Available red calipers are accented with the V-Series logo. Standard Super Cruise 6, the industry’s first truly hands-free driver assistance technology (with three years of OnStar connected service). The LYRIQ-V’s unique exterior design elements create a distinctive persona, projecting power and refinement through a sporty aesthetic. As with other V-Series models, the LYRIQ-V is identifiable by a unique lower front fascia and side rockers, body colored lower trim, and available carbon fiber accents, offering an unmistakably distinct persona. The Black Crystal Shield integrates Cadillac’s signature choreographed lighting. The V-Series logo adorns the rear doors and the tailgate, while a unique chin spoiler and rockers and V-pattern mesh on the front lower grille further distinguish the LYRIQ-V from other models. Unique to LYRIQ-V, 22-inch wheels with a dark sport finish and an etched V-Series logo come with a choice of standard summer or available all-season tires. LYRIQ-V will come standard with a black painted roof. It offers an exciting exterior color palate, including an exclusive limited exterior color option, Magnus Metal Frost, further reflecting its sporty persona. LYRIQ-V’s cabin includes details that reinforce its performance persona and integrates them with cutting-edge technology. Key features shared with the LYRIQ include a panoramic fixed glass roof, a 23 speaker AKG9 Studio Audio System with Dolby Atmos® and a stunning 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display. LYRIQ-V will launch with a dual-plane Augmented Reality Head Up Display. LYRIQ-V’s interior distinctions start with the steering wheel, which is uniquely styled with the V-Series logo, a standout V-Mode button, a sport rim with sculpted hand grips and an aluminum Regen On Demand paddle. Additional unique and specific interior details include: Power-adjustable seat bolsters for the seatbacks and seat cushions on the driver and front passenger seats Infotainment experience updated with specific customization options reflecting the V-Series persona A signature V-Series illuminated sill plate Celebrating the iconography of the V-Series brand, LYRIQ-V exudes deliberate craftsmanship with standard paperwood décor, available Nappa leather seating and available embroidery and V-pattern detailing on the seatbacks. MSRP starts at $79,990, including destination freight charge, and excluding tax, title and dealer fees. Dealer sets final price.   View full article
    • I own everything I want to own, other than a few LP albums. This will hurt the very folks that voted for him. Muy bueno. Me gusta mucho come escrebes....  
    • Working on a story on this as the released images of what you can do with the PV5 is very cool. Hopefully you will see what I see once I get that story out.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search