2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos FCA Media

For 2016, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat takes the performance sedan to another level, with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque and top speed of 204 mph.

Exterior
The exterior of the 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is spiritually inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s, specifically drawing on cues from the historic 1969 model, which include the unmistakable Coke-bottle design and scalloped body sides. The hood, fenders, front and rear fascias, headlamps, tail lamps, front doors and spoiler all work together to provide the Charger with a chiseled, nimble and lighter-weight appearance.

Up front, the Charger SRT Hellcat receives the larger, power-bulge aluminum hood, which features a dedicated cold-air intake, a visual styling cue from the first Viper coupe built in 1996 and dual air extractors to ensure effective removal of heat and reduced air turbulence in the engine compartment.

The redesigned front fascia and grille use a unique blacked out upper and lower textures to produce the menacing look that is sure to make onlookers notice the ultimate performance sedans; An integrated front splitter optimizes airflow to the cooling modules without compromising vehicle balance, at the rear, a single piece deck-lid spoiler is painted in body color, while the unique fascia and valence showcase the 4-inch round exhaust tips.

Interior
The interior is instantly brought to life by its unique premium aluminum-lithograph driver bezel, which enables a seamless, billeted and highly detailed appearance that carries through the instrument cluster and center console. Thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques, the aluminum bezel features one-piece construction for a consistent appearance from nearly the A-pillar to the surrounding area of the Uconnect system, highlighting all the ergonomically located vehicle functions for the driver.

In addition to the standard equipment available, the SRT Hellcat adds two key fobs to control engine output, one red fob and one black fob; SRT Performance Pages with boost gauge, unique SRT flat-bottom three-spoke finished steering wheel with Gunmetal accents; Dark Spun aluminum accents, and a DID with 200-mphspeedometer.

New for 2016, standard upgrades for the Charger SRT Hellcat now include high-performance Laguna leather seats, innovative Uconnect 8.4AN with the segment’s largest 8.4-inch touchscreen display, 3-D GPS navigation, AM/FM/HD radio, SiriusXM Radio, Bluetooth, Uconnect Access, plus a five-year subscription of SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link.

Performance
The Charger SRT Hellcat features the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine, which produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque and clocked an NHRA-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds, making it the quickest, fastest, most powerful production sedan in the world, as well as the most capable and technologically advanced four-door muscle car in America.

The 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat uses the newest member to its TorqueFlite family of eight-speed automatic transmissions. Like its predecessors, it is unparalleled in efficiency and unrivaled for its smoothness. But to withstand the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8’s groundbreaking output, this transmission’s maximum engine-torque capacity is 30 percent greater than any eight-speed transmission previously offered by FCA US; With this transmission, the company added an extra layer of quality testing to make sure shift responsiveness would match SRT customers’ expectations in a wide range of driving scenarios.

Safety
The 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat offers more than 80 standard and available safety and security features, including Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, which provides autonomous braking and, under certain circumstances, slows or brings vehicle to full stop when frontal collision appears imminent.

Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus with Full Stop helps maintain distance from the vehicle ahead and, under certain traffic conditions, the system can bring the 2016 Dodge Charger to full stop without driver intervention.

Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist introduces subtle steering-wheel input to alert the driver of inadvertent lane departure and assist with corrective action. Charger’s ParkSense rear park assist system works when the car is in reverse, sensing objects at low speeds.

Summary
After driving the Charger Hellcat, I was completely convinced it was one of the boldest rides of the year. You get huge amounts of power, a sophisticated design, and affordability all in a single package. The new 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is the ultimate American performance sedan, this four-door family sedan, makes a statement unlike anything else on the road today.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $65,945.00, the one I drove included the Harman Kardon Audio Group, 275/40ZR20 P Zero Summer Tires and the Gas Guzzler Tax, and it came in at $71,230.00 including destination charge. The EPA fuel economy estimates 13 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com

Posted in CAR REVIEWS, Dodge.

Emilio Lezcano

Journalist - Editor - Photographer
Professional Race Car Driver

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