Dodge News: 2015 Dodge Charger Gets The Hellcat

[William Maley]

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A few weeks back, we reported on a filing for the SAE which listed the Dodge Charger as getting the brand new supercharged 6.2L V8 engine named Hellcat which appeared in the 2015 Challenger. Well today at a event held near Detroit, Dodge revealed the 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat, the world's most powerful sedan.

Much like the Challenger, the Charger SRT Hellcat has the supercharged 6.2L V8 engine with 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. This is paired up to a eight-speed automatic transmission which was specially designed for this engine. This gives the Charger SRT Hellcat performance figures of 3.7 seconds to hit 60 MPH (0.2 seconds slower than the Challenger SRT Hellcat), 11 seconds to complete the quarter mile, and a top speed of 204 MPH.

There are a number of changes for the Charger SRT Hellcat along with the supercharged V8. A new hood features a scoop and air extractors to keep the engine cool. Meanwhile a rear spoiler helps add downforce to keep the twenty-inch wheels wrapped in P Zero tires on the ground.

Dodge hasn't announced pricing on the Charger SRT Hellcat, but did announced that production will begin sometime early next year.

Source: Dodge

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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New 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is The Quickest, Fastest and Most Powerful Sedan in The World

• With 707 horsepower, an NHRA-certified quarter mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds on street tires and a top speed of 204 miles per hour, the world's only four-door muscle car is the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan ever
  
• Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat engine produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful V-8 Chrysler Group LLC has ever produced
  
• Unrivaled four-door performance includes quarter mile elapsed time in 11.0 seconds on street tires, 0-100-0 mph in under 13 seconds and a top speed of 204 miles per hour (mph)
  
• Dodge and SRT designers re-sculpt and refined nearly every body panel with functional performance cues, including heat extractors in the hood, unique front and rear fascias and dramatic LED lighting in both front and rear
  
• Segment-first TorqueFlite heavy-duty eight-speed automatic transmission capable of delivering fuel-efficient street driving and maximum performance track driving with 160 millisecond shifts with rev-matching
  
• New performance attributes include the largest brakes ever offered in a Chrysler Group vehicle – 15.4-inch Brembo two-piece rotors with six-piston calipers, 20 x 9.5-inch wide forged aluminum wheels with Pirelli P Zero performance tires, adaptive damping three-mode suspension and three-mode, heavy-duty eight-speed automatic transmission
  
• New SRT Performance Pages allow drivers to tailor the driving experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, paddle shifters, traction and suspension
  
• Two key fobs – one black and one red. The red fob unlocks all 707 horsepower
  
• New interior design elements, including SRT three-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel, 7-inch reconfigurable digital gauge cluster, 8.4-inch touchscreen, Nappa leather and Alcantara suede seating, premium materials and a choice of four new trim and color combinations
  
• Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat features a slew of the latest high-tech features, including the new award-winning available Uconnect Access system, Uconnect Access Services with roadside assistance, theft-alarm notification, voice texting, new 3-D navigation and the ability to turn the Charger into a Wi-Fi hotspot
  

August 13, 2014, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge is upping its high-performance game again with the unveiling of the new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

The new Charger SRT Hellcat will feature the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque – making it the quickest, fastest, most powerful production sedan in the world, as well as the most capable and technologically advanced four-door muscle car in America.

"For the last eight years, a large part of the Dodge Charger's successful formula has been its many personalities. It's a muscle car, a performance sedan, a family capable sedan; its success is that it can be any or all of those things, depending on how the customer chooses to equip their car," said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO - Dodge and SRT Brands. "And now, with a NHRA-certified quarter mile time of 11.0 seconds and a 204 mph top speed, the new 2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat redefines itself again, as the quickest, fastest, most powerful sedan in the world!"

The 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat will be built at the Brampton (Ont.) Assembly plant. Production is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2015.

Awe-inspiring powertrain; largest brakes ever offered in a Chrysler Group vehicle

The new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is powered by the new supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Its 707 horsepower matches the highest rating of any V-8 engine in Chrysler Group's celebrated history – that of the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

The all-new supercharged V-8 engine is mated to the beefy new TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission.

This new Hellcat engine is Dodge and SRT's first application of V-8 supercharger technology, featuring a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces. The result is a crank so well-engineered it can withstand firing pressures of 110 bar (1,595 psi) – the equivalent of five family sedans standing on each piston, every two revolutions. And its unique, specially tuned crank damper has been tested to 13,000 rpm.

High-strength, forged-alloy pistons, developed using advanced telemetry measurement, are coupled to powder-forged connecting rods with high-load-capacity bushings and diamond-like-carbon-coated piston pins.

The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 has premium-grade, heat-treated aluminum-alloy cylinder heads, which are optimized for superior thermal conductivity. And its die-cast aluminum rocker covers are HEMI Orange.

Standard on the Charger SRT Hellcat is the largest front-brake package ever offered in a Chrysler Group vehicle, which were first introduced on the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat, featuring all-new 390-mm (15.4-inch) Brembo two-piece rotors with six-piston calipers for outstanding heat management and thermal capacity and longevity.

The unrivaled four-door performance numbers tell an impressive story with the quarter mile in 11.0 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in under 13 seconds, and a top speed of 204 mile per hour (mph).

All-new Drive Modes tailor the driving experience to each individual driver

Whether its on-road or on-track, Charger SRT Hellcat owners can personalize their drive experience, via the all-new Drive Modes feature. Drive Modes tailor the driving experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, paddle shifters, traction and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings.

Custom - Allows the driver to personalize the vehicle's performance

Sport - Delivers increased vehicle performance capability over the Default Mode

Track - Delivers maximum vehicle performance capability on smooth, dry surfaces

Default - Activates automatically when starting the vehicle

Eco - Maximizes fuel economy with a revised shift schedule, pedal map and second-gear starts

The Drive Modes feature is controlled through the Uconnect system and may be accessed by performing any of the following:

Pushing the SRT button on the instrument panel switch bank

Selecting "Drive Modes" from the "SRT & Apps" menu

Selecting "Drive Modes" from within the Performance Pages menu

Unlocking the power

The all-new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat comes standard with two key fobs – red and black. The red key fob is the only key that can unlock the full horsepower and torque potential of the SRT Hellcat engine; while the black key fob limits the driver to a reduced engine output.

When Valet Mode is activated, the following vehicle configurations are enabled:

Engine is remapped to significantly reduce horsepower and torque; limited to 4,000 rpm

Transmission locks out access to first gear and upshifts earlier than normal

Transmission will treat the manual shifter position the same as the drive position

Traction, steering and suspension are set to their "Street" settings

Steering-wheel paddle shifters are disabled

Drive Mode functions are disabled

Electronic stability control (ESC) is enabled to Full-on

Launch Control is disabled

The driver can activate and deactivate Valet Mode with a four-digit PIN code they create.

Sinister, functional exterior design

Inspired by its performance-enthusiast roots when Charger first launched more than 45 years ago, the new Charger successfully pays homage to past muscle cars while offering distinctly modern all-new exterior and interior appointments.

The Dodge and SRT design team builds upon the 2015 Dodge Charger's new modern four-door fastback coupe's already iconic exterior styling by adding a sinister-looking, unique front fascia, hood, rear fascia and spoiler.

The new exterior of the 2015 Dodge Charger is spiritually inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s, and for 2015, specifically draws its cues from the 1969 model. With its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform and proven power, the Charger's modern take on old-school muscle is sure to resonate with today's enthusiasts.

Up front, the Charger SRT Hellcat receives the larger, power-bulge aluminum hood, which features a dedicated "cold-air" intake – a visual styling cue from the first Viper coupe built in 1996 – and dual air extractors to ensure effective removal of heat and reduced air turbulence in the engine compartment.

The redesigned front fascia and grille use unique, blacked out upper and lower textures to produce the menacing look that is sure to make onlookers notice the ultimate performance sedan.

An integrated front splitter optimizes airflow to the cooling modules without compromising vehicle balance.

Filling the wheel wells are "Slingshot" split-seven spoke 20 x 9.5-inch, lightweight forged-aluminum wheels with either standard Matte Black or available Brass Monkey/dark bronze finishes.

Two new 275/40ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tires provide performance for all seasons. Both Pirelli P Zero Nero and P Zero tires are Y-Plus rated to handle the extreme speeds the Charger SRT Hellcat is capable of producing.

At the rear, a single piece decked spoiler is painted in body color while the unique fascia and valence showcase the 4-inch round exhaust tips.

The Dodge Charger SRT's signature "racetrack" LED tail lamps take on the same continuous glowing ribbon of light that debuted on the new 2014 Dodge Durango.

The center high-mounted stop lamp is relocated from the top of the deck lid to the roofline inside the back glass, allowing centering of the Charger SRT's backup camera.

The rear styling makeover begins at the touchdown point of the C-pillar, which is moved rearward to create an even more pronounced fastback appearance combined with a shorter rear overhang.

High-performance driver-oriented interior

The 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat's restyled driver-focused interior features premium, soft-touch materials, a new 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable digital instrument gauge cluster and a new instrument panel center stack with the latest generation 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen media center.

New for 2015, drivers can select one of the many offered backgrounds to connect the digital look and feel with their chosen interior package. In addition, the Charger SRT Hellcat comes standard with a premium 900 watt, 18-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system.

An all-new and class-exclusive electronic shifter with an all-new driver-oriented T-handle provides the driver with intuitive gear selection and offers an Auto Stick selector gate for added control.

A redesigned SRT-branded heated steering wheel features a flat bottom and thick rim for the high-performance driver. Standard paddle shifters are located on the back of the upper spokes. The buttons to control the driver-configurable, full-color thin-film transistor (TFT) display are large and illuminated. Buttons for Uconnect and phone access now reside along the bottom edge of the horizontal spokes. Optional adaptive cruise control is configured by buttons that are symmetrically opposite on the right-hand side of the wheel. As before, the highly praised audio controls are still found on the back of the upper spokes. This new power tilt-telescoping steering wheel also has a 360-degree heat element.

The new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat features redesigned seats with improved cushioning and more comfortable contours. For improved comfort and convenience, the SRT Hellcat includes standard heated and ventilated front high-performance seats and heated rear seats.

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[G. David Felt]

SWEET That is one AWESOME Car! Truly American and Truly probably one of the last Big V8 sedans we will see.

[Cmicasa the Great]

While Dodge is pushing the envelope with a HP leading 707HP, as a CTS-V owner I would not in the least feel humbled if I got into a tussle with one of these. I'm driving a Cadillac. Even if I were in a Chevy SS I still feel like I would be a weee bit more "high class" than if I were rolling in a Dodge.

The question that I have.. is at what point is Fiat/Chrysler gonna start conforming to meet CAFE demands? IT would be one thing if they sold an EV or hybrid, but the 500s and Darts just aren't lowering their footprint fast enough.

[G. David Felt]

 

While Dodge is pushing the envelope with a HP leading 707HP, as a CTS-V owner I would not in the least feel humbled if I got into a tussle with one of these. I'm driving a Cadillac. Even if I were in a Chevy SS I still feel like I would be a weee bit more "high class" than if I were rolling in a Dodge.

The question that I have.. is at what point is Fiat/Chrysler gonna start conforming to meet CAFE demands? IT would be one thing if they sold an EV or hybrid, but the 500s and Darts just aren't lowering their footprint fast enough.

 

The whole CAFE thing is pathetic and yet as you point out, the 500 and Dart are not lowering low Mileage footprint fast enough so I think this could be the last Hurrah for a big strong V8.

[Cmicasa the Great]

 

 

While Dodge is pushing the envelope with a HP leading 707HP, as a CTS-V owner I would not in the least feel humbled if I got into a tussle with one of these. I'm driving a Cadillac. Even if I were in a Chevy SS I still feel like I would be a weee bit more "high class" than if I were rolling in a Dodge.

The question that I have.. is at what point is Fiat/Chrysler gonna start conforming to meet CAFE demands? IT would be one thing if they sold an EV or hybrid, but the 500s and Darts just aren't lowering their footprint fast enough.

 

The whole CAFE thing is pathetic and yet as you point out, the 500 and Dart are not lowering low Mileage footprint fast enough so I think this could be the last Hurrah for a big strong V8.

 

 

 

Wee Dodge has done one thing... and that is take the bragging rights of BIG HP away from the luxo and exotics. The Corvette's 650HP didn't count, because quite frankly the idea of the Vette being a "Chevy" is laughable. My guess is that GM and Ford will most likely stay in the 600 range because of their other assets that attract buyers to their brands. GM, for instance, has some of the best handling vehicles on the market these days, not just from Cadillac and Corvette, but at Chevy and Buick as well. I maintain that a Chevy SS with just 600HP would most likely still beat a 707HP Charger

[G. David Felt]

SS with the Supercharged LS9 would be sweet!

[aurora97]

This car needed the manual transmission sooooooo bad.

[Z-06]

I like this better than the Challenger.

[Cmicasa the Great]

SS with the Supercharged LS9 would be sweet!

The SS with the LSA might be enough. I mean what I just said too. In truth these are bragging rights for Mopar most definitely, but I still find it hard to believe that it will truly put a hurtin on a current gen Camaro ZL1 let alone a new Alpha based one. The 662-horsepower GT500 hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds to the 580-horsepower ZL1's 3.8 seconds, 11.6 seconds @125.7 mph, trailed by the Camaro at 12.1 seconds @ 117.4... The Challenger HC that the very same magazine, MT, tested came in slower than both. While the Top speed, dictated by that 707hp is the only real advantage.. when the hell are U ever gonna find out?

 

   What's the point in a "top speedster" in a drag race? This Dodge is no TRACK star =/

I like this better than the Challenger.

 

 

The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT..  would be if I had a disdain for 2 door vehicles. The Challenger, RT and above, behind the ANY Camaro, is gorgeous

[Z-06]

I like this better than the Challenger.

 

 

The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT..  would be if I had a disdain for 2 door vehicles. The Challenger, RT and above, behind the ANY Camaro, is gorgeous

 

 

Assumptions are dangerous.

[Cmicasa the Great]

 

I like this better than the Challenger.

 

 

The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT..  would be if I had a disdain for 2 door vehicles. The Challenger, RT and above, behind the ANY Camaro, is gorgeous

 

 

Assumptions are dangerous.

 

 

 

Assumption? Re-Read what I typed. " The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT"   The key word being " I  ", meaning me, and myself knowing exactly the reason why I, as in ME, would consider a Charger over the Challenger. 

[Z-06]

 

 

I like this better than the Challenger.

 

 

The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT..  would be if I had a disdain for 2 door vehicles. The Challenger, RT and above, behind the ANY Camaro, is gorgeous

 

 

Assumptions are dangerous.

 

 

 

Assumption? Re-Read what I typed. " The only reason I would ever even THINK THAT"   The key word being " I  ", meaning me, and myself knowing exactly the reason why I, as in ME, would consider a Charger over the Challenger. 

 

 

My statement still stands, because your parameters of liking seem to be different than that of mine.

[A Horse With No Name]

Methinks cmicasa has it right when he talks about the handling of GM vehicles. Far better than Ford, Chryco, and often better than BMW.

Edited August 15, 2014 by A Horse With No Name

[Drew Dowdell]

 

While Dodge is pushing the envelope with a HP leading 707HP, as a CTS-V owner I would not in the least feel humbled if I got into a tussle with one of these. I'm driving a Cadillac. Even if I were in a Chevy SS I still feel like I would be a weee bit more "high class" than if I were rolling in a Dodge.

The question that I have.. is at what point is Fiat/Chrysler gonna start conforming to meet CAFE demands? IT would be one thing if they sold an EV or hybrid, but the 500s and Darts just aren't lowering their footprint fast enough.

 

 

They are doing it with 8-speed and 9-speed pentastars.  The CAFE fuel economy rating is much higher than what the window sticker shows.

 

What they really need is a new line of fuel efficient (and better refined) 4-cylinders. That would help out tremendously.

[smk4565]

How many above CAFE cars do they have, the 500 and Dart?  Maybe the 200 4-clinder?  So that is 3 cars to offset all those Jeeps, pickups, V8 Chargers, etc.  It seems like the numbers wouldn't add up.  But kudos to Dodge for putting an insane amount of power in a production car and not just playing everything safe and listening to the bean counters.

[Drew Dowdell]

It's not so simple as that.  The CAFE requirements were changed.  A vehicle with a larger footprint (wheelbase X average wheel track) has a lower requirement.  This is actually good for those who prefer the look of RWD cars since they tend to have longer wheelbases as a ratio to overall length and thus gives RWD cars an advantage for CAFE ratings.

 

Also, the EPA sticker doesn't mean anything for CAFE compliance.  And EPA combine rating of 25mpg equates to 33mpg in CAFE.. (don't ask me how.... I don't get it either). 

[Intrepidation]

This is the most badass four door car ever. Of all time.

[A Horse With No Name]

This is the most badass four door car ever. Of all time.

Yep!