The Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody offers Dodge one thing no different American rival affords: a full-size sedan with astronomical horsepower. Ford is getting out of the sedan enterprise altogether and Chevrolet is trimming again its portfolio, with each corporations shifting focus in direction of crossovers and SUVs. Thankfully, Dodge is not following that lead.
LikeMighty supercharged V8Improved dealing with dynamicsMeaner seems to be
Don’t LikeAging cabinDreaded gasoline economyLacks driver-assistance options
More than wider hipsThe new-for-2020 Widebody provides 3.5 inches of width in comparison with the usual Charger. In addition to the fender flares, the Widebody will get a novel entrance fascia with a mail-slot grille offering extra direct route radiator cooling, in addition to a brand new rear spoiler and aspect sills to raised mix with the added width. The result’s a extra menacing design that will get many nods of approval wherever this sedan goes.Besides a extra hulking stance, the broader exterior shell permits for the set up of thicker wheels and tires. In the Hellcat’s case, the beforehand customary 20-by-9.5-inch wheels wrapped with 275/40-series tires are changed by 20-by-11-inch wheels lined in 305/50-series rubber.
2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody: Sharper seems to be and dealing with
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A brand new wheel and tire bundle additionally means the engineers needed to rework the Hellcat’s suspension, leading to new tuning for the three-mode Bilstein adaptive dampers, 32% stiffer entrance springs and bigger anti-roll bars. Other chassis tweaks embody a multimode electrical energy steering system rather than the outdated full-hydraulic setup, in addition to brake upgrades with six-piston entrance Brembo calipers biting down on 15.4-inch, two-piece rotors.What’s the results of chassis revisions and meatier rubber? A way more competent Charger that instills extra confidence by corners. With Track mode activated, steering response is almost fast, and the dampers preserve the 4,587-pound massive boy from being clumsy in turns. The Pirelli P Zero tires’ wider contact patches give the Charger commendable stick earlier than the fronts start plowing ahead, and brake muscle is stout, rapidly getting the automobile slowed down. Where the Charger’s measurement cannot be disguised is underneath braking and side-to-side weight transfers, however keep away from slalom workouts and you will be effective.
The Hellcat Widebody is stiff in Track mode, transmitting impacts from each street rut into the cabin. Additionally, in Track mode, the steering weight is on the heavy aspect for avenue use — until you need Popeye-sized forearms. Summon the Hellcat’s Sport setting for the perfect stability of efficiency and luxury. You’ll need Street mode for the gentlest habits, however be forewarned that journey high quality is not magic-carpet soft and the steering nonetheless has fairly a little bit of weight with a small useless spot on middle.
A wider physique permits for the set up of wider tires.
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Supercharged centerpieceVisual and dealing with modifications apart, the primary purpose anybody buys a Hellcat is for the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 underneath the hood. It nonetheless makes 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque for 2020, however maintain out for a 2021 mannequin and you will get 717 hp within the Hellcat and 797 hp within the new Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The extra highly effective 2021 SRT Chargers will not arrive in sellers till Spring, which means if you’d like a Hellcat now, it should be an instance with 707 horses, which is troublesome to pooh-pooh. Not with a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds and a 10.96-second quarter-mile run. The Charger Hellcat is a brute that makes the correct noises burbling at idle, which turns into supercharger whine throughout acceleration with a menacing exhaust be aware as well. Throttle response is almost on the spot, and a tidal wave of energy is accessible in any respect components of the rev band to forcefully push this sedan ahead or spin the rear tires for smokey burnouts and donuts.The supercharged V8 continues to be the star of the Hellcat present.
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Power is routed to the Hellcat’s rear wheels by an eight-speed automated transmission that, in Track mode, rips off speedy however not utterly seamless shifts. You can shift it your self with the steering wheel-mounted paddles, which provide respectable response to instructions and rev-matching on downshifts. My recommendation is to let the pc do all of the shifting, although, as a result of the transmission is properly programmed. For the occasions you are not looking for a pleasant piece of pavement on which to carry out smoke exhibits, the Street setting offers the drivetrain a extra mellow character. Gearbox shifts are smoother and barely muted. Not surprisingly, the most important strike towards the Charger SRT is poor gasoline financial system, which is clear with how quickly the gasoline gauge needle drops. EPA gasoline financial system estimates have this 707-hp beast returning 12 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 21 mpg on the freeway — numbers low sufficient for the Charger to be slapped with a $2,100 gasoline guzzler tax. Does that matter to a typical Hellcat shopper? Not probably.Same because it ever wasInaspect is the place the Charger is exhibiting its age. It’s roomy, with a simple structure and clearly marked controls. The entrance bucket seats are snug with beneficiant aspect bolsters and trimmed with good leather-based, whereas numerous soft-touch surfaces, an non-compulsory suede headliner and actual carbon fiber trim deliver some premium touches to this check automobile. There’s additionally a pleasant massive trunk within the again with 16.5 cubic ft of house. Unfortunately, the inside design is a bit stale now and there are some budget-rate areas, such because the hole window controls and flimsy plastic decrease door panel compartments.The cabin is getting lengthy in tooth, however the infotainment expertise continues to be on level.
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What is not stale is the Uconnect infotainment system with its crisp-looking and responsive 8.4-inch touchscreen controlling a bumping 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup, navigation system that rapidly calculates routes, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And to maintain anybody telephones or tablets from going useless within the Charger, there are quite a few USB and 12-volt shops inside simple attain of individuals in each rows of seats. Sadly, anybody in search of a giant driver-assistance tech menu will probably be upset. The Charger Hellcat comes with the federally mandated backup digital camera and customary blind-spot monitoring and that is it. Things like adaptive cruise management, lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning are usually not accessible.Big efficiency bang on your buckReally, when you concentrate on what the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody brings to the desk for $73,590 (together with $1,495 for vacation spot and gasoline guzzler tax), it is a efficiency cut price. And that is even more true with the Widebody, which permits the Charger to take corners in a decent style because of its suspension modifications and larger tires.The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody will set you again $73,590 to begin.
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The Hellcat Widebody tester pictured right here stickers for $83,150 with a handful of choices that I’d gladly go away off, similar to completely different wheels, a sunroof and a few small visible upgrades. My splendid automobile retains the frostbite paint job seen right here, although, in addition to the $1,595 carbon-suede inside bundle. I’ll additionally preserve the good $1,995 Harman Kardon Audio Group, bringing my splendid automobile’s backside line to $77,180.Yes, the Charger Hellcat Widebody has loads of shortcomings, however after I stroll in direction of this menacing machine within the car parking zone, I do not take into consideration them. When I have interaction launch management and let the supercharged V8 rocket me ahead, I additionally do not take into consideration them as a result of I’m too busy laughing with glee. The Charger Hellcat Widebody is an immensely entertaining machine.