2008 Dodge Challenger

[h=1]717 cv, menos de 45.000 euros al cambio y 10,7 litros a los 100 km, ¿Qué más quieres?[/h]

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No es la primera vez que os hablamos de las nuevas creaciones del Dodge y no es para menos ya que pocos vehículos montan en la actualidad potentes motores V8 de 6.2 litros sobrealimentado HEMI bajo el capó.

Como ya sabréis, recientemente hemos hablado del Dodge Challenger SRT y del Dodge Charger SRT y os hemos contado casi todos sus detalles.

Ahora toca pasar por la gasolinera para dar de beber a su motor V8 de 717 cv. Según la marca, estos modelos equipados con caja de cambios automática de ocho velocidades TorqueFlitehomologan un consumo de combustible de 22 millas por galón (mpg) (21 mpg para el Charger) lo que equivale a unos 10,7 litros a los 100 km a nuestro sistema.

La verdad es que tal y como indica la marca, con un precio inicial de 59.995 dólares, lo que al cambio serían unos 44.355 euros, no hay otra cosa que se acerque.

Sabemos que no implica nada, pero el consumo en autopista homologado por la EPA (Agencia de Protección Ambiental) para vehículos con la misma potencia -son modelos que no tienen nada que ver, que quede claro- gastan lo siguiente:

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster – Su coste es 7 veces mayor; 700 cv; 18 mpg (13 l/100 km)
Aston Marton Vanquish – Su coste es casi 5 veces mayor; 576 cv; 18 mpg (13 l/100 km)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT – Su coste es casi 4 veces mayor; 583 cv; 19 mpg (12,3 l/100 km)
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[Teste] - Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat - Autocar

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The new 707bhp Challenger is an extreme beast that would make little sense on British roads, but we're glad it exist
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What is it?

The Dodge Challenger is a legendary model for Chrysler. It’s the American company’s player in pony car game and the likes of Ford’s Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro have been its competition on and off for nearly 50 years.
The original Challenger came to market in 1969; in 2008, Dodge introduced the present, third-generation version. The large, two-door coupé uses a cut version of Chrysler’s waning LX architecture, which underpins the 300C saloon. Ford’s latest Mustang GT is substantial shorter and lighter than the Challenger, for reference.

Improvements since launch include the addition of an optional ‘TorqueFlite’ eight-speed automatic transmission across the model line-up, as well as retro exterior and interior updates that mimic the iconic 1971 Challenger. The new Challenger SRT Hellcat is the biggest news for the 2015 model year and is by far the most extreme version of Dodge’s muscle car.

Its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 develops 707bhp, along with 650lb ft of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard but our test car featured the optional automatic transmission.

It’s a wild car. The Hellcat can guzzle the full volume of its 15.4-gallon fuel tank in only 13 minutes. Its supercharger ingests oxygen through a huge 92mm throttle body and the output of a base Ford Fiesta – 79bhp – is needed to spin that twin-screw blower. Each 6.2-litre engine is run on a dyno for 42 minutes before installation. No CO2 emissions are stated for the beastly V8 and we don’t think Chrysler really cares.

The Hellcat’s 20-inch wheels are available in either matte black or dark bronze (what Dodge calls 'Brass Monkey') finish. Mounted on the large wheels are 275/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tires. The Hellcat’s exclusive 'Air Catcher' intake port sits inside one of the front lamps and ducts intake air into the engine.

The available exterior colours are a marketing department’s dream and include: B5 Blue, Pitch Black, Sublime Metallic (green), and TorRed. You can also order the bonnet in Satin Black, just in case you find the Hellcat too subtle.

What is it like?

The two-door Dodge feels huge and you’re perched quite high, in seats offering little support. Back seat access is cumbersome. One can’t help but wonder how a vehicle so large features such compromised packaging.

But thumb the starter button and as the 707bhp V8 erupts into a rage of fury, you quickly forget about the glaring faults of the ageing platform.

That supercharged engine blasts the Hellcat through the quarter-mile in a very impressive 11.2 seconds at 125 mph, matching the 533kg lighter and twice-as-expensive Porsche 911 GT3. If you’ve made a deal with the devil, feel free to explore the 199mph top speed – which trumps the GT3 by 3mph. We recommend a more saint-like velocity ceiling, as the Hellcat is no Porsche in the chassis department.

That’s not to say it’s complete rubbish in the twisty stuff. Sure, the Challenger moves around, porpoising and hopping about when pushed, but those quirks actually add to the fun. It’s also not nearly as intimidating as the extreme specs suggest. Yes, wheelspin and lurid drifts are only a wiggle of your big toe away but the manic Dodge never truly scares you.

The stability control system's Track mode is perfectly relaxed, offering loads of fun while still keeping you out of the weeds. The eight-speed automatic transmission swaps ratios impressively, even when manually short-shifted from, say, third to fourth gear with smoke billowing from the rear tyres.

Considering the weight and size, Chrysler engineers buttoned down the Challenger quite successfully – three-mode Bilstein dampers, 390mm Brembo brakes, and a limited-slip differential are a big part of this – but the ultra-light steering brings you back to the reality of the brash experience.

Should I buy one?

The truth is, the Hellcat makes absolutely no sense. It lives in its own world, cut off from the reality of a changing planet. It represents the United States of America perfectly, and proudly.

The Challenger’s size, thirst, and rather poor ride quality on lumpy tarmac mean it will be pretty much worthless on British roads. It’s also left-hand-drive only and not officially sold in the UK, but don’t let that stop you from contacting an importer of American iron.

Ultimately the Hellcat is an exciting dance with the devil. It’s a glorious, extroverted machine that puts a smile on your face each and every time you fire up that virile and boastful 707bhp V8.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Price $60,990 (£52,000 imported, est.); 0-62mph 3.5sec (est.); Top speed 199mph; Economy N/A; CO2 N/A; Kerb weight 2014kg;Engine 8 cylinders, 6166cc, supercharged, petrol; Power 707bhp at 6000rpm; Torque 650lb ft at 4000 rpm; Gearbox 8-spd automatic
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The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Is Selling Like Hot Cakes

With the current sales month ending today, the Chrysler Group is celebrating one very special feat. No, we're not referring to Halloween and glorified jack-o'-lanterns. As it happens, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat sold a lot better than anyone anticipated the new muscle car king to do.

Official data isn't available just yet, but the Allpar team has learned a very interesting figure. Dodge chief executive officer Tim Kuniskis reportedly told that more than 4,000 people ordered a Challenger SRT Hellcat by the time the ordering system was operational, with the current total well over 5,000.

That's not half bad for a car that was rumored it'll be so exclusive, only 1,200 would be sold per year. We didn't buy that rumor when it surfaced because it was as clear as day a production cap would be bad for a struggling Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles NV that just announced a tenth of Ferrari S.p.A. will go public in order to pay a little of its 11.4 million euro debt.

The previously mentioned Mopar enthusiast site is also reporting that a local Dodge dealership informed them that "all of the Hellcats coming into their dealership are sold," with a new batch of Challener SRT Hellcats slated to be offered in December. Allpar's insider told that the muscle car king fetches even $10,000 over the $59,995 MSRP for very obvious reasons - who says no to a supercharged 6.2 HEMI V8?

On an ending note, we do have a hunch that even though the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is a tad costlier at $63,995, it will sell even better than its two-door counterpart. 707 horsepower under the hood of a four-door sedan that you can drive on a daily basis is an offer few gearheads can refuse.
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