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2015 Dodge Challenger: Old School Fun With Up To 707 Hp

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  • Dodge
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September 21, 2014 2:03:21 PM

We spent a day in Oregon to drive the 2015 Dodge Challenger family around surface streets, ending up at Portland International Raceway. After auditioning the entire model range, we got a good feel for the latest refresh to Dodge's iconic muscle car.

2015 Dodge Challenger: Old School Fun With Up To 707 Hp : Read more

More about : 2015 dodge challenger school fun 707

September 21, 2014 6:22:27 PM

Don't listen to them! This car is awesome! It is my dream car! Thanks for the article!

$60,000 is such a great price (for the STR Hellcat). I was expecting it to be in the $70-80,000 range.

All hail the most powerful muscle car ever built, not to mention the least expensive 700+ horsepower car in the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91jRLQa5U8E
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September 21, 2014 7:27:45 PM

STR Hellcat, the only Dodge I'd ever consider owning.
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September 21, 2014 7:59:42 PM

Blazer1985 said:
The author will likely Dodge your question :-)


What question? ;) . It still saddens me the old Dodge the father, Ram the daughter stickers are no longer applicable to the new trucks :( 

wolverine96 said:
Don't listen to them! This car is awesome! It is my dream car! Thanks for the article!

$60,000 is such a great price (for the STR Hellcat). I was expecting it to be in the $70-80,000 range.

All hail the most powerful muscle car ever built, not to mention the least expensive 700+ horsepower car in the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91jRLQa5U8E


I drove it again two weeks ago at a press event, there's something about mashing the pedal of an automatic Hellcat and watching the rear tires just light up makes me giddy like a school boy.

delaro said:
STR Hellcat, the only Dodge I'd ever consider owning.


I asked my wife if I could buy a Charger SRT Hellcat, she said no :( .
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September 21, 2014 8:20:30 PM

Does it corner like Santa's sleigh?
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September 21, 2014 8:21:50 PM

I didn't really try to push it at the track, it was pouring down rain. When it started drying up, I took out the SXT and didn't find it too bad. It's no Exige or Miata but it gets the job done.
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September 21, 2014 9:41:59 PM

The perfect car for people that like terrible, terrible cars.
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September 21, 2014 10:01:11 PM

that car is amazing... where i from we got here engines with 1 liter 3 or 4 cylinder man that sucks alot! when i see some muscle car i wanna cry... and for god sake the 1 liter engines only make on road 14km/l this dodge make at last 12 km/l!
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September 21, 2014 11:12:31 PM

4450 pounds is pretty damn heavy. Gonna be rough taking hard turns. I would still take a Nissan skyline gtr R34 Z tune. It "only" produces 500 horsepower but weighs 3300 pounds a whole 1150 pounds less and gets that 500 hp from a turbod 2.8L 6 cylinder engine. 0-60 in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. But it's really known for its incredible suspension and handling and this car can cut corners like no other.
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September 21, 2014 11:13:41 PM

Not too mention the amount of custom tuning and upgrades you can make to make the skyline unimaginably awesome
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September 22, 2014 4:09:44 AM

This is not a sensible decision - you buy this type of car out of sheer passion for "cool". I think it's seriously cool. Old school looks with modern day tech. Yes please, I'll have one, but not as a daily driver.
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September 22, 2014 4:16:02 AM

What's its time around the Nurburgring?
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September 22, 2014 7:25:49 AM

This car is way too heavy, I tested the Hemi version 1 year ago and I felt I was driving a truck. I ended up buying a corvette 6.3L for less money, and it's a beast.

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September 22, 2014 7:30:32 AM

laststop311 said:
4450 pounds is pretty damn heavy. Gonna be rough taking hard turns. I would still take a Nissan skyline gtr R34 Z tune. It "only" produces 500 horsepower but weighs 3300 pounds a whole 1150 pounds less and gets that 500 hp from a turbod 2.8L 6 cylinder engine. 0-60 in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. But it's really known for its incredible suspension and handling and this car can cut corners like no other.


I love the R34. I would love to have a Autech Stagea 260RS with the Skyline front end swap, GT-R performance in a family friendly wagon. However, the GT-R is a heavy beast but manages to defy gravity as well. You can make a good handling car that's heavy, but it doesn't feel as nimble as a much lighter car, despite being every bit as capable.

wtfxxxgp said:
This is not a sensible decision - you buy this type of car out of sheer passion for "cool". I think it's seriously cool. Old school looks with modern day tech. Yes please, I'll have one, but not as a daily driver.


It really isn't a sensible car at all, its insane and defies all accounting logic as to why it should be made. However, I'm glad in a day and age of green-focused cars that we still have something so insane to make it into production. I think you could easily get into too much trouble with one as a daily driver.
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September 22, 2014 7:47:34 AM

The hellcat is so heavy under full cornering you can roll the tires off the wheels. Its so heavy not even srt drivers can get the times fiat/chrysler say it can get. It is so heavy under acceleration the tires rotate on the weels aswell. If you buy this make sure you have deep pockets your going to need them for the tires gas breaks and insurance. Hellcat is another twist on the viper its so old outdated and inefficient. Not a smart buy at all...
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September 22, 2014 8:16:03 AM

Problem with US automakers is that they know that their general population sees 'Big Horsepower!' and stops there. You also have to consider curb weight and power to weight ratio as well as handling. Sure, it will do a great standing 1/4 mile, but I bet it handles like a pig in winding corners and up/down mountains.

Nissan GTR > Dodge Challenger SRT (including w/Hellcat motor)

I'd even prefer a Corvette Stingray or Z06 over this thing. Heck, I'd rather have a Viper/SRT10 than this.
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September 22, 2014 8:39:43 AM

rubix_1011 said:
Problem with US automakers is that they know that their general population sees 'Big Horsepower!' and stops there. You also have to consider curb weight and power to weight ratio as well as handling. Sure, it will do a great standing 1/4 mile, but I bet it handles like a pig in winding corners and up/down mountains.

Nissan GTR > Dodge Challenger SRT (including w/Hellcat motor)

I'd even prefer a Corvette Stingray or Z06 over this thing. Heck, I'd rather have a Viper/SRT10 than this.


FiatChrysler will gladly sell you an Alfa Romeo 4c that's light, nimble and a ton of fun for the same price. At $60k, its a phenomenal car if you just want to mash the pedal and grin. I enjoy both types of driving and I'm not going to deny mashing the pedal on the Hellcat doesn't make me grin like a schoolboy.
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September 22, 2014 8:52:20 AM

4C would be a better choice, but depends if US will get the 'same' 4C that Europe sees. I'd rather have quick, nimble and fun to drive rather than clunky, heavy and going everywhere with a need to haul a fuel tanker just to stay on the road.
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September 22, 2014 8:56:12 AM

rubix_1011 said:
4C would be a better choice, but depends if US will get the 'same' 4C that Europe sees. I'd rather have quick, nimble and fun to drive rather than clunky, heavy and going everywhere with a need to haul a fuel tanker just to stay on the road.


Yea I drove a Euro-spec preproduction and the car is amazing. It has little sexy bits of carbon fiber that's revealed when you open the doors, everything is tastefully done. The sound of the 1.7 turbo spooling up and the blow off behind you is like ear candy. Been trying to sell my wife on it as a Exige she could drive because the Exige is her perfect car, but she can't really drive stick.

However, I'll probably end up buying another Miata in a couple years.
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September 22, 2014 9:07:53 AM

Easy solution, buy a cheap, 10 year old 5 speed Honda Civic or Accord and teach her to drive manual. I taught my wife to drive stick in a single afternoon when she was 19 years old (when we were dating, of course).
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September 22, 2014 9:15:41 AM

I've been trying to teach her to drive the Project 5 but she's hesitant and is scared of rolling back. She'll learn eventually, but at this point I just bought her a Nissan Leaf so she's probably even less likely to learn now.
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September 22, 2014 10:36:54 AM

I'd happily take a base 2015 V6 Challenger (with 305 HP, 3850 lbs and regular unleaded). $27,500 sounds about right for it. I'm 6'4" - a big coupe like this would fit me perfectly.
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September 22, 2014 10:38:07 AM

Yea, being tall is problematic when it comes to buying cars. Its a big coupe and the price is right. The V6 is also rated for 30MPG highway so you can have some fun, look good and be comfortable.
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September 22, 2014 12:03:37 PM

I asked my wife if I could buy a Charger SRT Hellcat, she said no :(. said:
I asked my wife if I could buy a Charger SRT Hellcat, she said no :( .


Ask if the dealer will accept your wife on trade! j/k

she's hesitant and is scared of rolling back. said:
she's hesitant and is scared of rolling back.


Seems like that's a fear a lot of women had, including my girlfriend. I made her learn how to drive a manual on hilly roads with stop signs. After a week of yelling and cursing at me, she eventually thanked me. :lol: 

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September 22, 2014 12:11:33 PM

Many new manual cars have hill-start, so the brakes hold you until you set off.
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September 22, 2014 12:51:37 PM

The Mazda5 does not have it, unfortunately. But we drive her Leaf more often though, I love driving but I also love monetary savings for mundane driving tasks ;) 
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September 22, 2014 2:01:21 PM

I'd argue that it looks pretty wobbly in corners on that track. If you are actually trying to put down a lot of power and hit apexes and exit corners quickly, you certainly don't want to drift around every bend...which this seems to do. Go watch videos of a Nissan GT-R on a track and how much it looks like it's on rails.
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September 22, 2014 2:05:18 PM

rubix_1011 said:
I'd argue that it looks pretty wobbly in corners on that track. If you are actually trying to put down a lot of power and hit apexes and exit corners quickly, you certainly don't want to drift around every bend...which this seems to do. Go watch videos of a Nissan GT-R on a track and how much it looks like it's on rails.


The GT-R is insane and I love driving it every time, but it also starts at 100k versus the $60k for a Hellcat.
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September 22, 2014 5:25:25 PM

The primary market for a big HP Challenger is the 50+ crowd, that could not afford one when they were 19.
Same market for Corvettes.

Challenger v Miata v Alfa, v GT-R are completely different markets.
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September 22, 2014 5:42:11 PM

It's just so heavy. They have to bump it up to 707horses to even achieve 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. GTR does it on a mesely 480 horses
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September 22, 2014 5:44:37 PM

hitman40 said:
It's just so heavy. They have to bump it up to 707horses to even achieve 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. GTR does it on a mesely 480 horses


And how many people with a Challenger OR a GTR will do that more than once?
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September 22, 2014 6:18:09 PM

It is definitly my dream car.
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September 22, 2014 6:35:21 PM

hitman40 said:
It's just so heavy. They have to bump it up to 707horses to even achieve 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. GTR does it on a mesely 480 horses


With a very intelligent AWD system, you can launch much faster with less horse power. Putting all that power down to the rear wheels is much harder, although I don't think Chrysler has an AWD transmission capable of handling the Hellcat. I kept asking them to make a Grand Cherokee SRT Hellcat but their response was the regular SRT8 already required a lot of upgrades to the transmission to make it work.
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September 22, 2014 6:46:07 PM

rubix_1011 said:
Problem with US automakers is that they know that their general population sees 'Big Horsepower!' and stops there. You also have to consider curb weight and power to weight ratio as well as handling. Sure, it will do a great standing 1/4 mile, but I bet it handles like a pig in winding corners and up/down mountains.

Nissan GTR > Dodge Challenger SRT (including w/Hellcat motor)

I'd even prefer a Corvette Stingray or Z06 over this thing. Heck, I'd rather have a Viper/SRT10 than this.


The GTR is nice but it still is not the same as American Muscle. There is something magical about the design and feel. Sure it doesn't handle like a small car but it is loud, fast and a beast and that is the appeal. Americans are vastly different from the rest of the world. That's why SUVs did so well here. One example is China. Ford is bringing back the Escort in China as it appeals to them. Most of Europe prefers the smaller compact cars with TDI engines instead of gasoline.

As for the Corvette/Viper they are very different markets. The Viper and Vette are sports/super cars. The Challenger is a pony/muscle car like the Mustang, Camro or the real Charger.

As for the Challenger itself, it is nice but I prefer the 2015 Mustang. I got to see one of the 2015 Mustang Ecoboost Premiums up close at a dealership and it just looks sexy as hell. The fastback is nice and it just makes everyone drool, even those who are not fans of Mustangs. Most impressive is the 2.7L Twinscroll Turboed engine pushing 310HP and 320FT/lb. Of course I would still get at minimum the 5.0 but the 2.7l is not a bad engine.

I think a big problem though is the Fast and Furious showing those cars being superior. The Skyline stock was not a great car and required a ton of work and money to make a fast sporty car.

But hey, to each their own. My number one dream car is a 67 Shelby GT500 but the odds of me owning one are pretty infinitesimal since they are a super high value car.
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September 22, 2014 7:13:37 PM

I agree, there are different markets, but I still place the Corvette and SRT 10 Viper in the same class as the high-end Challengers, Mustangs and Camaros. You are buying those premium models to be different than all the other guys buying the lower model lines with performance 'aimed' at the 'Vette and Viper. I've driven plenty of American muscle, including a 600hp drag boat we owned when I was a kid with a 508cu Chevy big block in a 18' hull.

I've owned a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII (stock) and it easily will handle your average Mustang GT in about any kind of scenario. On top of that, it was so incredibly fun to drive on winding roads...the grip those cars have is unbelievable.
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September 22, 2014 7:30:48 PM

Drove several muscle cars in the day, including a 73 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi (425HP per factory, 2 Huge AFB Carbs). Burned the Rt. rear tire off a 63 Dodge 426 RamCharger (in the dealers parking lot, scared hell out of the salesperson riding with me). This car is going to bring it all back to the masses with better brakes and handling.
Wish I were in an income bracket to afford one.
Absolutely Beautiful !
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September 22, 2014 8:20:32 PM

This car is way too heavy, I tested the Hemi version 1 year ago and I felt I was driving a truck. I ended up buying a corvette 6.3L for less money, and it's a beast.

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September 22, 2014 9:14:36 PM

jimmysmitty said:

As for the Challenger itself, it is nice but I prefer the 2015 Mustang. I got to see one of the 2015 Mustang Ecoboost Premiums up close at a dealership and it just looks sexy as hell.


Funny thing, I am a Chevy guy.
That said, these are my favorite (new) muscle cars, in order of my preference:
First Challenger, then Mustang, and then Camaro. (And I do still like the Camaro, too!)

My favorite old muscle car is a Curious Yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda:

I work at a restaurant, and once when I was on my break, I saw a man with a brand new Mustang Shelby convertible that was dark blue/purple. As he walked past me to leave, I gave him a little nod and smiled. When he left, he backed the car right up to the window I was sitting at and revved the engine. That thing is sweet!

Another time, I saw an orange Camaro with black hood stripes next door. When the owner left the parking lot, he launched onto the street, revving up and doing a burnout. I watched as the smoke poured out of the wheel well.

Now a want to see a Challenger showing off!
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September 22, 2014 9:18:47 PM

You can't really go wrong with any of the muscle cars out there right now. They are so much more refined than they used to be and even the base model delivers plenty of smiles. I look forward to driving the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost. I'm hoping they bring up a manual one to the press fleet so I can toss it on the dyno.

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September 22, 2014 11:59:51 PM

The dodge challenger is perfect for the American roads and American tastes. If you are a European where the open road is a crowded 6 lane or piece of crapola 2 lane of course you want a small nimble cute car.
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September 23, 2014 9:28:15 AM

stevenrix said:
This car is way too heavy, I tested the Hemi version 1 year ago and I felt I was driving a truck. I ended up buying a corvette 6.3L for less money, and it's a beast.



The Challenger 'aint built to corner!
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September 23, 2014 12:22:09 PM

Just another POS "muscle" car that makes nothing but a bunch of noise. When these cars can knock off a sub 2 second 0-60 mph time (like that little electric 1970's Dastun 1200 of John Waylands can), wake me up. 'Till then, you can have your 100 year old boring gas cars.
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September 23, 2014 12:23:53 PM

Phillip said:
Just another POS "muscle" car that makes nothing but a bunch of noise. When these cars can knock off a sub 2 second 0-60 mph time (like that little electric 1970's Dastun 1200 of John Waylands can), wake me up. 'Till then, you can have your 100 year old boring gas cars.


When you can actually "buy" a 0-60 2 second electric that can carry more than one person, wake me up.
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September 25, 2014 6:32:04 PM

The car is set up for 1/4 mile races or 1/8 mile races stop light to stop light even, A grand tourer. Remember the pro Street cars? they toured and did 9's etc, and had over drives and AC etc, to each his own, some love Ramblers or old fluid drive Chrysler inline 8 cylinder cars from the 40's, it is what makes the car craze what it is, if everyones ideas were the same it would be boring, all I know is my GTO will not be racing one except to see how close I stay to it, and I frigging love my new GTO!!!!
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September 26, 2014 11:30:30 AM

This car is emblematic of the problems with the US auto industry. As I see it, they are just as bad as drug pushers. NO ONE needs this much HP except, perhaps, professional race car drivers.
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September 26, 2014 11:41:41 AM

+1

And they do make lot of "noise." Cars like this have tuned resonators that make the car sound like what a survey from their marketing department suggest that people think a car like this should sound like. A tuned resonator to make it sound like a "hot car." Where's the roll eyes smiley when needed?
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September 26, 2014 2:24:56 PM

wiyosaya said:
+1

And they do make lot of "noise." Cars like this have tuned resonators that make the car sound like what a survey from their marketing department suggest that people think a car like this should sound like. A tuned resonator to make it sound like a "hot car." Where's the roll eyes smiley when needed?


That concept has been around for ages. The 1st generation Miata was sound tuned to match 60's-70's Brit MG's.
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September 26, 2014 9:02:56 PM

wiyosaya said:
+1

And they do make lot of "noise." Cars like this have tuned resonators that make the car sound like what a survey from their marketing department suggest that people think a car like this should sound like. A tuned resonator to make it sound like a "hot car." Where's the roll eyes smiley when needed?


And what a beautiful sound it is! :D 
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