2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

[Wretched]

What It Is:
A pair of Dodge’s full-size, four-door bruisers wearing front and rear camo, reported to be packing a version of the Challenger SRT’s Hellcat V-8. Caught testing in southeast Michigan, the partial cover-up on these Chargers can’t hide the presence of a large hood scoop, aggressive chin and trunk-lid spoilers, and larger exhaust tips. The white Charger pictured features plain honeycomb upper-grille inserts, following the styling lead set by the Hellcat SRT Challenger. While photos alone can be misleading—often intentionally so—the earlier news that Chrysler has filed papers with the Society of Automotive Engineers regarding the use of the Hellcat V-8 in the Charger indicates that the carmaker is already invested in finding a home for said engine under the sedan’s hood. Combined with rolling stock identical to that of the Challenger Hellcat (20-inch wheels wrapped in 275/40 Pirelli P Zero Nero tires) and the presence of upgraded brakes in the form of slotted rotors and Brembo calipers, the writing on the wall is fairly legible.

Why It Matters:
As Chrysler’s standalone tuning division, SRT was responsible not only for the Viper, but also for injecting adrenaline into a number of Mopar products in the name of performance. So when the refreshed-for-2015 Charger debuted in New York earlier this year, we were a little befuddled that the manufacturer made no mention of what SRT might be cooking up for the four-door muscle car. In hindsight, it’s clear that corporate wheels were turning vigorously behind the scenes, putting the maker’s plan to bring the SRT banner underneath the Dodge brand into full effect. With that situation tidied up (the Chrysler 300 SRT is discontinued and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT lives on), the next order of business was to make a big statement with the Challenger SRT Hellcat. How better to follow that up than with a four-door barnstormer packing the same wallop? Following the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s naming scheme, we expect the Charger’s official title to be Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Platform:
Despite wearing a fresh exterior, the 2015 Charger is built on an evolution of Chrysler’s LX platform, which also underpins the current Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger. Expect the Charger SRT Hellcat to make use of the same or similar upgrades that Dodge performed on the Challenger to cope with the Hellcat’s prodigious output.

Powertrain:
This car is all about the engine, in this case the Hellcat’s supercharged V-8. We expect the Hellcat V-8 to arrive packing the same 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque it makes in the Challenger, its might backed up to the same ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The idea of offering a six-speed manual in the outsize sedan appeals to us dearly, but the Charger has thus far gone without, so that decision likely will be based on buyer demographics and consumer interest. One final thought: If Dodge decides to make Hellcat V-8 engine–equipped Chargers available to law-enforcement agencies (we’re thinking Dubai, maybe), it will forever change the nature of televised police chases.

Competition: Chevrolet SS, Cadillac CTS-V, Top Fuel dragsters, Funny Cars

Estimated Arrival and Price:
There’s still plenty of time to slip the Charger Hellcat into showrooms as a 2015 model, but halo cars like this can generally transcend model-year designations with little impact on sales. That said—and considering much of the development was completed along with that of the Challenger SRT Hellcat—it could arrive as early as this fall. Pricing will likely follow the Challenger’s lead, the Charger SRT Hellcat retailing for approximately $15,000 more than the base SRT model, bringing it in around $65,000

http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-ga...at-future-cars

[bangm001]

If they bring that to Oz I reckon thats my next car

[LoudPipes]

Importers to bring Dodge Hellcat to Australia

Date: August 5, 2014
David McCowen
Motoring Writer

The most powerful muscle car in the world is coming to Australia.

It’s a machine so focused that engineers removed one of its headlights so they could fit an air intake, one that helps suck in enough oxygen to make it the gruntiest four-seat car in the world.

Dodge’s Challenger SRT Hellcat is big news in America thanks to its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that makes 527kW and 881Nm of grunt.

Fiat Chrysler Australia cannot sell the car locally as it is not built in right-hand-drive, so workshops that convert American performance cars for the Australian market are scrambling to fill a niche market for the big coupe.



Only one car in Australian showrooms has more grunt than the Dodge, and Ferrari’s $690,745, 545kW F12 Berlinetta is out of reach to all but fabulously wealthy collectors.

Crossover Car Conversions specialist Craig Dean estimates the handful of Hellcats will cost around $180,000 once they land in Australia, making them something of a bargain.

“We have a couple of customers interested in them,” Dean says.

“They’re not officially on sale yet [in America] but when they become available we’ll try and get some.

“You can never have too much horsepower.”

Queensland Challenger specialist Norm Clarke says he is also certain to introduce the cars locally.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest in them, I’ve got three that I have to order plus one for myself,” he says.

“We are definitely bringing it in. They will definitely be a weapon.”

The Hellcat has an advantage of almost 100kW over Australia’s most powerful car, the 430kW HSV GTS sedan.

Dodge provides Hellcat owners with red and black keys to the car, and only the red key can unleash the full power of its V8.

The car also comes with a valet mode that reduces power levels, blocks access to first gear and locks on the stability control using a four-digit pin code.

Dodge’s American arm says the ultimate Challenger can cover the 0-400 metre dash in 11.2 seconds, or 10.8 seconds when fitted with sticky street-legal drag tyres – enough to put in in genuine supercar territory with cars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Nissan GT-R.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/i...04-100e08.html

[mik]

One has to wonder when the horse power race becomes a legacy of diminishing returns for these manufacturers, yes these factory hotrods are still desirable cars for us enthusiast, but how many will actually buy them ?

[GTBenny]

Wow $180k landed and converted in Oz. That's 3 x what they're worth in the US. Even if I had enough money to afford that I don't think I could justify in my head the price being charged.

Benny.

[graphicgoose]

I'm with Benny. As amazing as that would be, the price once converted is just unjustifiable to me. I'd rather take one of the new Mustang GT's once they're released here and let CAT600 and XFT loose on it...

[|Nate]

Originally Posted by GTBenny

Wow $180k landed and converted in Oz. That's 3 x what they're worth in the US. Even if I had enough money to afford that I don't think I could justify in my head the price being charged.

Benny.

I'm not sure on current conversion prices, but someone is making a tidy profit somewhere along the line.

I would've thought:
$59,990 USD > AUD = $64000ish,
Shipping $5000,
Conversion $40,000 (?),
Compiled and registered in AUS, another $4000 (?)
If I'm even remotely correct with my prices, where's the other $70k going?

It'd be pretty cool for maybe $130,000 at most, but for $180,000 I'd prefer a brand new C63 or M3/4. It's even just etching into demo E63 territory.

[commonrails]

Originally Posted by |Nate

If I'm even remotely correct with my prices, where's the other $70k going?

vehicle value= $64,000
Customs duty of 5%= $3,250
Transport & insurance= $1,500
VoTI(cv+cd+t&i)= $68,750
GST= $6,875
Luxury car value (gst+VoTI)= $75,625
Luxury car tax= $4122.30

Total vehicle cost= $79,747.30

[GTBenny]

Just like the currrent late model imported Mustangs getting around Australia, someone is making lots of money. But not for long on the Mustang front.

Benny.

[Wretched]

Adding to the RHD conversions, expect the Dodge Rams to be coming to AU converted to RHD with factory support.

Unfortunately not done in AU as first planned but in NZ.
Initially Chrysler/Dodge went to Iveco (Dandenong, Vic) to get it done a few years back when the plan was hatched to bring the Rams here. Iveco quashed it so it went to NZ, now Iveco, with only 2.5 trucks per day being built are saying they are able to do it.
Too late.

[Windsor220]

The extra money goes into the running of the business and our high wages. Never understand why people dont get this.

[GTBenny]

$100k worth of higher wages and operating costs. It must take them 12 months wages to convert them then.

Benny.