GTP Cool Wall: 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

[C-ZETA]

And arguably, I'd have more fun with a car that can't corner because it would be a challenge to make it corner.

This is probably the opinion I respect most in regards to muscle cars. I don't follow it at all but I can sort of see the reasoning.

Oh, about the Charger, the Hellcat I've been hearing about more is the Challenger. Somehow that seems more alluring as well, even though I wouldn't take one myself.
I haven't touched on the saloon enough to put it past Uncool, I'm afraid.

 

[Parker]

I've never understood people complaining that a car like this can't go around a track fast and then compare it to something like a Lotus. Well, that was never the point of the car, it was meant to go fast in a straight line. It is like saying a shark isn't as good as a bear because it can't climb a tree. Well, sharks aren't meant to climb trees.

 

[Slash]

Well, that last part might be true, but cars of today simply won't be built the same way. Safety laws and such have forced cars to handle in a safe manner, and avoid any dangerous handling behaviour as much as possible. Obviously, old cars still exist for that thrill of taming a wild beast, but new ones need to be careful, lest the brands want to get bashed by the common voices for being unsafe (for both the driver and the environment). There is a reason why the traction control became an obligatory option on USA cars...

And there's nothing wrong with that, however I feel these days cars have simply become too refined and no amount of power can bring back that raw feeling you get with an old one.

This is probably the opinion I respect most in regards to muscle cars. I don't follow it at all but I can sort of see the reasoning.

I mean, have you ever watch the old test drive videos? They take a bunch of performance big block muscle cars, sling them around a slalom, and a circuit track, sliding all over the place with ungodly amounts of body roll. Wouldn't you think that would be a bit more entertaining that just pretending you're on rails?

Take a look.

 

[Tornado]

The LX cars were never a solid rear axle.

 

[Epic B]

Sub Zero. It's probably not the best handling sedan. But it has over 700 horsepower, and for only 64 grand. It's excessive, and that's okay.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

And there's nothing wrong with that, however I feel these days cars have simply become too refined and no amount of power can bring back that raw feeling you get with an old one.


I mean, have you ever watch the old test drive videos? They take a bunch of performance big block muscle cars, sling them around a slalom, and a circuit track, sliding all over the place with ungodly amounts of body roll. Wouldn't you think that would be a bit more entertaining that just pretending you're on rails?

Take a look.

I guess that, between the crazy boat-like muscle cars of old and the safety conscious cars of new, the Hellcats stand in the middle. They're not as weaving as the old cars, but they're also quite crazy to be considered as safe means of transportation. Of course, as I said, it's not quite either of those two sides I've mentioned. But it might be the closest we will ever get to the crazy side, ever again.

And yes, danger can sometimes be the biggest thrill of them all. Those old videos prove just that.

 

[Exorcet]

I don't really care about straight line speed, I want a car that I can take down a twisty mountain road without having to write my will beforehand. SU.

This car should be fine for that. 707 HP might not make sense, and many people would have liked that they time and money that went into that power figure was spent elsewhere, but it doesn't make what handling the car already has go away. The Charger isn't a bad car to drive as far as I know, so the Hellcat is good car with an overabundance of power.

This isn't a sports car. Don't expect one, don't compare it to one and expect it to come out ahead. There really aren't any sedans that could do that. For what it is, I don't think this is a car that should be looked down on. It's also why I feel completely opposite about the Challenger.

And there's nothing wrong with that, however I feel these days cars have simply become too refined and no amount of power can bring back that raw feeling you get with an old one.


I mean, have you ever watch the old test drive videos? They take a bunch of performance big block muscle cars, sling them around a slalom, and a circuit track, sliding all over the place with ungodly amounts of body roll. Wouldn't you think that would be a bit more entertaining that just pretending you're on rails?

It's not a binary option though, it's a spectrum. Older muscle cars were wild and terrible on the track. Something like a Viper is just as wild, but much more capable on a race track. These Hellcat cars could be just as insane with less power and weight yet also be more capable. Anyone is free to have an opinion, and if someone really prefers a wayward muscle car, that's completely fine. However, I don't think there would have been much reason to complain if the Hellcat cars were more track focused but also had a muscle car setting for the suspension. You'd basically get more of everything except top speed, which is basically a useless stat.

 

[Legro]

Solid axles can handle. The Boss 302 proved that.

I never said that they couldn't handle well, I just explained the reasons why people are saying that the Hellcat can't handle.

It might be old and outdated but it doesn't plow into corners like the old ones do.

Of course it doesn't, it would be stupid to say it would.

And arguably, I'd have more fun with a car that can't corner because it would be a challenge to make it corner.

In some ways that's true, karting can be very fun with bad tyres and moist track.

 

[Slash]

Of course it doesn't, it would be stupid to say it would..

And yet, here we are.

 

[C-ZETA]

Wouldn't you think that would be a bit more entertaining that just pretending you're on rails?

I can see the appeal of heroically trying to force some muscle which makes every turn seem as hard as Eau Rouge. That must feel epic to plenty of drivers.

Problem with me is, not only are there cars that probably can corner which I like more, but there are also cars that are about as lairy as muscle cars (though often in a completely different sense) which similarly greatly appeal to me. That's the mindset I've followed for a while now.

 

[Tornado]

I never said that they couldn't handle well, I just explained the reasons why people are saying that the Hellcat can't handle.

 

[Slash]

I can see the appeal of heroically trying to force some muscle which makes every turn seem as hard as Eau Rouge. That must feel epic to plenty of drivers.

Problem with me is, not only are there cars that probably can corner which I like more, but there are also cars that are about as lairy as muscle cars (though often in a completely different sense) which similarly greatly appeal to me. That's the mindset I've followed for a while now.

Especially since the steering is so floaty and has almost no feel by modern standards.

 

[mustafur]

Im no Mechanic, but that doesn't seem very solid.

 

[Slash]

Im no Mechanic, but that doesn't seem very solid.

It's quite solid.

 

[Dennisch]

It's quite solid.

Solid build, yes. Solid axle, no.

 

[Imari]

You do have to be careful if you're using all 707 hp, though. This can corner, but not when you give it all the beans. It doesn't have quite the same handling prowless as a new Mustang and such.

I don't think it's possible to have a car with 700+hp that corners safely when you give it all the beans. That's not a slight against this car, that's just fundamental to the laws of physics. You'd be as well off cursing gravity as you plummet down the mountainside.

More power doesn't make a car handle worse all by itself, it simply increases the number of ways that the driver can put the car into a tree.

 

[Slash]

Solid build, yes. Solid axle, no.

Indeed.

 

[Dennisch]

I don't think it's possible to have a car with 700+hp that corners safely when you give it all the beans. That's not a slight against this car, that's just fundamental to the laws of physics. You'd be as well off cursing gravity as you plummet down the mountainside.

More power doesn't make a car handle worse all by itself, it simply increases the number of ways that the driver can put the car into a tree.

If I recall correctly, this car has a pretty fancy traction control system.

 

[mustafur]

Well now that I Look at the specs in detail, ill bet my left nut this will eat an M3/4 new C63 and ATS around nurburgring(cars that are around the same price).

Also that ZF Auto is a gem it's almost as fast as a Double clutch with the added smoothness for everyday driving(used it in a BMW M135i).

 

[Slash]

Well now that I Look at the specs in detail, ill bet my left nut this will eat an M3/4 new C63 and ATS around nurburgring.

Also that ZF Auto is a gem it's almost as fast as a Double clutch with the added smoothness for everyday driving.

"But this car can't corner bro"

 

[mustafur]

Solid build, yes. Solid axle, no.

Thats what I mean lol.

"But this car can't corner bro"

God bless America

 

[Joey D]

Since I haven't driven a Hellcat, I can't give a first hand impression on it, but going by what a couple of my buddies who work for Chrysler have said, it doesn't handle all that well. Basically they've told me they've never driving anything like it in a straight line and the acceleration is downright scary, but trying to take a corner at anything other that other than the low end of spirited will cause you have a really interesting driving experience rather quickly.

You have to remember, the Charger's chassis was never designed with a 700hp engine in mind since the SRT8 *only* came with 470hp. Even changing the suspension and putting stickier tires on it doesn't change that it's a 4,400lbs, 17ft long car that was designed to seat five people and be slightly sporty going from stoplight to stoplight.

 

[NCRthree]

Because Dodge Chargers are the Coolest Cars Ever Created By Man. That's my '68 in my avatar.

 

[mustafur]

Since I haven't driven a Hellcat, I can't give a first hand impression on it, but going by what a couple of my buddies who work for Chrysler have said, it doesn't handle all that well. Basically they've told me they've never driving anything like it in a straight line and the acceleration is downright scary, but trying to take a corner at anything other that other than the low end of spirited will cause you have a really interesting driving experience rather quickly.

You have to remember, the Charger's chassis was never designed with a 700hp engine in mind since the SRT8 *only* came with 470hp. Even changing the suspension and putting stickier tires on it doesn't change that it's a 4,400lbs, 17ft long car that was designed to seat five people and be slightly sporty going from stoplight to stoplight.

I think the chassis could handle it or atleast close, ive driven the current 300c SRT8 (we dont get charger in oz) and the car easily handles the power and due to its sizeable weight you actually want a bit more, given the wheels, brakes and suspension has been beefed up as well I would assume it handles ok, might be a very edgy car that requires a high skill set to get the best out of it though.

 

[Dennisch]

You have to remember, the Charger's chassis was never designed with a 700hp engine in mind since the SRT8 *only* came with 470hp.

I wonder if they have strengthened the chassis with extra welds and such. If not, expect pictures popping up from cars with twisted bodies and ripped open sheetmetal.

 

[Joey D]

I wonder if they have strengthened the chassis with extra welds and such. If not, expect pictures popping up from cars with twisted bodies and ripped open sheetmetal.

No idea, I'm sure they did though but I'm sure due to whatever thing you sign when you hire on to working at a car company, my buddies don't want to say even if they knew.

I know Chrysler fit the car with some new Bilstein suspension system along with a ton of other customization settings that allow something like 100 different combinations with traction, shift points, etc. However, as we know computers can only do so much. Keeping it in Sport mode and not pushing the car too much, I'm sure you'll have more than enough fun with it, but if tearing down back roads is your thing I can almost bet that a Hellcat won't be at the top of your list if you're dropping $70k on a car.

 

[Dennisch]

but if tearing down back roads is your thing I can almost bet that a Hellcat won't be at the top of your list if you're dropping $70k on a car.

I think most people will understand that that won't go to well indeed. It weighs 2000+kg.

For me this is a revival of ye olde horsepower machines, made with one thing in mind. Having fun at the dragstrip at ludicrous speed.

 

[mustafur]

Interesting to note as well, Dodge removed the Electric steering they use in the other Chargers and put a hydraulic setup for the Hellcat.

I think it's unfair to say they just threw in a bolt on supercharger and some nostrils and left everything else alone and call it a day, it looks like dodge have tried to balance out the power with extra goodies to help the handling and feel.

 

[Mike458]

It's meh, kind of boring, but it should be fun to drive...

 

[Niku Driver HC]

I don't think it's possible to have a car with 700+hp that corners safely when you give it all the beans. That's not a slight against this car, that's just fundamental to the laws of physics. You'd be as well off cursing gravity as you plummet down the mountainside.

More power doesn't make a car handle worse all by itself, it simply increases the number of ways that the driver can put the car into a tree.

Of course. A Lamborghini with 700 hp is as dangerous as a Dodge with the same amount of power, because all abide by the same laws. Curse you gravity indeed, when it starts going wrong you might as well pray. Even the finest handling systems cannont prevent mistakes of tools who cannot control their powerful sportscar.

And that last statement is very, very true...

Interesting to note as well, Dodge removed the Electric steering they use in the other Chargers and put a hydraulic setup for the Hellcat.

I think it's unfair to say they just threw in a bolt on supercharger and some nostrils and left everything else alone and call it a day, it looks like dodge have tried to balance out the power with extra goodies to help the handling and feel.

That does show they weren't just slapping the car with hellapower and go with it. They could've just stuck with the Electric steering and say "Right, let's call it a day." An electric steering would not be able to provide the same amount of feedback to the driver.

This car does show some effort put into it, which is very nice. SRT\Dodge did try to balance the 707 hp with some degree of driveability.