Dodge Challenger

Introduction

The Dodge Challenger is the name given to the 3 generation of vehicles built by the Chrysler through its Dodge division. The first generation Challenger Pony was manufactured from 1969 to 1974 and the second generation challenges were the Glanat Lambda badge engineered by Mitsubishi from 1978 to 1983. The third and the current generation were from 2008 and the Challenger was developed with the competition from Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The current generation Challenger has now been updated for the 2015 model year and the new model is fitted with a V-8 offering huge power and better suited for cruising on twisty highways roads and for strip hook up. It is bruiser of a vehicle and is distinctive with its unfaltering looks.

Technical Specifications

Current challenger lineup has several options in bad-assery the SXT V6with 305hp, the 5.7 L Hemi V-8 R/T with 372 or 375, the SRT 392 models and the Challenger R/T Scat Pack featuring 6.4 L Hemi V-8 engines with Street and Racing Technology.  The abnormal power coming out of the Hellcat is courtesy the 6.2 L supercharged engine, but the 6.4 is the biggest and naturally aspirated from the Chrysler stable. The figures now have been increased as the Chrysler engineers extracted an additional 15hp making it to 485hp at 6000 rpm and 475 lb-ft at 4200 rpm. Wheels are boosted power through the new 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual and the automatic has paddles in the steering wheel. According to Dodge they can shift at the instance of 160 milliseconds. 

Models and Features

You can choose three powertrain options and they are the 3.6 L V6 and a brand new 8-speed automatic transmission is coupled to this. There are two V8s in 5.7 L and 6.4 L versions and both can be optionally bought with a six-speed transmission or an eight speed automatic. In the Challenger family the SRT is the muscle whereas the R/T manual is for the ones whose spending powers are limited but it is a great performer.

Yes, both cars are spectacular in speed and offer prodigious acceleration. The 8-speed automatic designed by ZF and assembled by Chrysler never fails to locate the right gear and is always in readiness to tackle corners. According to Dodge the Challenger with the 6.4 L should be able to crash the 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile in about 12 seconds.  The Challenger SRT8 of 2011 flew past the 0-60 mark in 4.5 seconds and touched the 1320 mark in 12.9 seconds and it was with a 6-speed manual gearbox and the 390 engine was just introduced in to the machine.

Options & Packages

The celebrated Scat Pack was renewed for Challenger and the R/T models only the previous year and was bracketed in the Mopar performance multistage package while they shared the 5.7 L Hemi. Now only the cloth seated R/T denotes the Challenger in equipment but is equipped with a 6.4 L powerhouse. The Scat Pack R/T is costing a huge $39,890 for starters that has 4-piston Brembos for all wheels, and a healthy 20/9 inch wheels and a hard performing suspension.  The SRT model costing $47, 390 sports an aluminium hood inspired by “Viper” with a cold-air intake vent mounted in the center.  It has massive 15.4 inch brake rotors in the front with Brembo brakes with 6-pistons., 9.5 inch wide wheels by Slingshot, 18-speaker audio system from Harman/Kardon, leather seats, and free driver training experience at selected racetracks by Dodge.

There are SRT performance Pages featured in the SRT models show a range of vehicle data in real time and secondary dials and also enable the driver to find different modes of driving fort the engine and the skeleton. The driving modes available are Default, Track and Sport that the driver can use for the driving experience; there is the adaptive suspension with three modes and also the shift schedule for the automatic transmission. These parameters can be individually adjusted. There is a horde of timers to chronicle your hot-pedal experience as it was with the previous models.

When tested side by side by the drivers both the SRT 392 and the Scat Pack proved to be similar in prowess and performance with the eight-speed automatic. The cars with their immense weight of two tons offered great grip on the tarmac and afforded shockingly neutral handling. And this is when 55% of the weight was heaped on the nose. Any listing behavior can be detected easily with the flat and broad hood but the test drivers were astonished their fantastic body control. When you take tight corners, the oversteer is not noticeable because the gas pedal neutralize it nicely. Even with the cover of stability control the tails comes out easily and quickly but it is caught with ease. The power steering in the SRT Sport mode offers nice feedback and the stability program has more leeway. The brakes offered in the cars, the Brembos deliver excellent service by stopping the car without negligible fade.

The décor of the 2015 Challenger is simply out of the world and it is sound ergonomically and is retro style without any kitsch. The interior starting from the TFT screen to the dials with conical shape are well ahead of the past challengers and the same can be said about the material and finishing. The top of the range model comes for an acceptable $60, 990 and it will also make sense for the power mongers. You will not get a car that offers less power than the Scat Pack at $40K even a used one. Technological sophistication is at height with the Hellcat and it is offered at $13k less.

Fuel Economy & Safety

However fuel and tire are going to cost you more when you buy the Dodge Challengers. But if you want power then this is the car for you at this price. The challengers generate a top speed of 175mph and the fuel economy understandably would be lower with the EPA rated 14 to 15mpg in the city and 23 to 25mpg on highways. Considering the weight and speed of the car this is more than agreeable. The NHTSA safety rating for the 2015 Dodge Challenger is an overall rating of 5 stars.