You Owe Me A 10-Second Car

by Derek Kreindler

July 11th, 2014 2:27 PM

We try not to blindly re-post content created by OEM PR teams, but Dodge has thrown down the gauntlet here.

According to them, the all-new Challenger SRT Hellcat will knock off a 10-second quarter mile time, and we’re not about to let that claim slide. Our own EIC Jack Baruth will be off next week to test out those claims, on a drag strip at the 2015 Challenger launch event. Let’s see what JB is capable of pulling off both there and the road course. Anyone care to take bets?

#2015DodgeChallenger #Dodge #DodgeChallenger #DodgeChallengerSrtHellcat

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12 of 106 comments

Sigivald on Jul 11, 2014

"No Dart GLH? Lame."

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- John Rosevear on Jul 12, 2014
  
  I think the GLH moniker will be consigned to the dumpster of history, but... Dart SRT arrives 12/16 as a 2017 model, says the five-year plan. AWD turbo, details to follow.
  
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05lgt on Jul 11, 2014

This is so fantastic. My 240z 351w ran mid 11's on slicks. The hellcat has AC, a back seat, airbags etc. and runs faster 1/4's without dumping half burnt fuel at idle. 2014 rules

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- PrincipalDan on Jul 11, 2014
  
  Being born in 1977, I concur. Mazda's Skyactive 2.5 makes twice the hp of the Iron Duke in my first car. Technology is awesome whether it is a 2 ltr turbo diesel in a Cruze or a hairy chested multiple cylinder engine.
  
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Bumpy ii on Jul 12, 2014

I'm just wondering who at Chrysler was foolish enough to greenlight something like this with a factory warranty.

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- See 4 previous
- Hybridkiller on Jul 12, 2014
  
  As long as they beefed up the tranny and the rest of the driveline enough to take the torque I don't see why it would be any worse than an SRT in that regard.
  
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- George B on Jul 12, 2014
  
  Considering that it's a low-volume expensive car, it's totally worth it for advertizing alone even if they have to do expensive repairs like replace transmissions, differentials, axles, etc. because the Hellcat engine is too powerful. What do "Hellcat is too powerful" recall notices do for Challenger sales and Mopar bragging rights?
  
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- Raph on Jul 13, 2014
  
  Torque management is most certainly part of the package along with upgraded driveline parts.
  
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- Hybridkiller on Jul 13, 2014
  
  "I’m just wondering who at Chrysler was foolish enough to greenlight something like this with a factory warranty." Somewhere in the warranty docs for this car there will be a paragraph that reads something like this: "This vehicle is not intended for use as a competition race car of any kind. Any use of this vehicle in speed-related activities including, but not limited to, amateur or professional drag racing, amateur or professional drift competitions, or anything else that leaves visible rubber on the pavement will void this warranty in its entirety faster than you can say ridiculous insurance premiums"
  
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- Zykotec on Jul 13, 2014
  
  @George B Completely with you on this. It will be a small cost for FiatShler to fix the low-volum cars under warranty. But I guess as they replace the broken parts, they will also 'recommend' that you check out Mopars aftermarket program to find suitable replacement/upgrade parts if you like to spend more money instead of constantly having it repaired for free under warranty. And, if you take 'Hybridkiller's comment under here into consideration, there probably are no ways to break any part of the Hellcat drivetrain under any sort of 'street-legal' activities...
  
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LALoser on Jul 13, 2014

I really like the new model performance cars, and would consider a Hellcat for weekend duty...but I am worried we are approaching a HP/price bubble and someday soon the market will crash for new ones. Only so much money around for such narrow scope cars.

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- Hybridkiller on Jul 13, 2014
  
  I wouldn't worry about new ones getting cheaper, it's an awful lot of performance for the money - especially when you consider what it would cost to build a 700hp drag car (that's also street-legal) from scratch. And they're not going to turn out enough of these things to where they have to discount leftover/unsold units. But anyone who does buy one should definitely plan on taking a pretty large hit if/when they go to sell it.
  
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