American Muscles | Episode 05 – Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT
Words Christian Parodi / Photos courtesy of Dodge Media
Not even ten hours have passed since my brief moment driving an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and we are already back talking about muscles. Muscles like those of the new Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, one of the most performing versions of the coupe reborn in 2008 and constantly updated over the last few years, now more aggressive than ever, especially if you are going to tick the right boxes during the configuration, thanks to the almost endless list of options made available by Dodge.
The Challenger is not a half-size car, it doesn’t go unnoticed even in the most sober of colors or in the more docile spec powered by a V6 which is an excellent compromise, if you don’t have enough hair on your stomach to cross the fateful step that leads to the SRT V8. Our new friend Christopher is the happy owner of a 717 horsepower Hellcat and confirms that he changes tires at least three times a year, not so much for the absolute pleasure he experiences with a few burnouts, but because the Challenger is such a pleasure on wheels that he uses it as a daily and consequently – having established a certain familiarity – letting the tires smoke on some lost road outside Bethel, a few kilometers from Cincinnati (Ohio) seems to be a good and right thing.
The Hellcat redefines the concept of brutality and primal fury transmitted directly to the rear wheels. The 6.2-liter delivers 717 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 881 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The hiss of the supercharger is addictive, but you’re never ready for the blind violence with which the Challenger overwhelms you. On this journey it happens that I fall in love, at least two or three times a day – even if for different reasons – but the SRT Hellcat will undoubtedly be a memory that I will cherish in my heart and not only for the fear it causes when the tachometer needle jumps towards the red line.
Make sure not to miss my full review coming soon in this space. You’ll be glad.
… to be continued