Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2015 Dodge Hellcat
It is built around a supercharged version of the Hemi V8 that's optional in the standard-issue Charger. Displacing 6.2 liters, it makes nearly twice the power (707 vs. 370) and turns a quick car into a supercar capable of mid-high 11 second quarter-mile passes at close to 130 MPH, with a top speed of more than 200 MPH.
An extremely beefed up version of the now-standard (in all Chargers) eight-speed automatic drives the rear wheels - making for sideways driving, as you like it. Or, engage the launch control to keep things somewhat civilized - if you can use that word to describe a car that can reach double the highest-legal speed limit in the United States in the time it takes a Prius to get from rest to 60.
WHAT'S GOOD
That they had the balls to build it. That they have the nerve to sell it. That you might be able to afford it. Untouchable performance - with room for five. If you missed the original muscle car era, relive it now.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Driving this car on public roads is like having an all-day erection at the YMCA… if you're not gay. Mostly only older dudes will be able to afford this one. Especially the insurance on this one.
It can't last. They are going to get wind of what's up and pull the plug. This car is the equivalent of Elvis showing up at the White House in a purple cape holding a pair of loaded gold-plated .45 automatics ... and demanding to see the president.
UNDER THE HOOD
Regular V8 Chargers equipped with V8s come with 5.7 liters and 370 hp; the R/T ups that to 6.4 liters and 485 hp. They are small fry. Weak sisters. Ho-hum.
Well, compared with what lies under the aluminum hood of the Hellcat. It is a slightly smaller (6.2 liter) version of the Hemi V8. But its effective displacement (in terms of airflow) has been increased by another 30-40 percent when the supercharger that's perched in between those Hemi orange powder-coated valve covers compresses the incoming air charge to 9 PSI . Now you're dealing with an engine that's closer in real terms to a naturally-aspirated (non-supercharged) V8 of around 8 liters' in size.
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