The 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody is the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world
FCA
You’re not wrong for observing that the Dodge brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. is something of a cult led by fire-breathing dinosaurs living in an ecosystem populated by vehicles celebrated mainly for “efficiency” and how little carbon dioxide they emit.
Yet FCA is nothing if not proud of its new 707 horsepower 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat “wide body” muscle machine, which it calls “the world’s most powerful and fastest” mass-produced car. Along with the 2020 Dodge Charger Scatback, generating a mere 485 hp, these two new models represent a small segment of the U.S. vehicle market shared with General Motors Co.’s Camaro and Ford Motor Co.’s Mustang.
Ford’s GT500 Shelby coupe is slated to generate 760 hp when it comes out later this year. Though battery-powered electric cars like the Tesla Model S boast impressive acceleration, old school horsepower enthusiasts favor the roar of an internal combustion engine.
Powering the 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody is the naturally aspirated 392 cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 with best-in-class 485 horsepower
FCA
As emissions regulations grow more stringent worldwide and the muscle-car heyday of the 1960s and 1970s dims with age, there remains a stubborn automotive cohort that enjoys nothing better than to lay a patch of rubber at a traffic signal while leaving the ecologically responsible minivans and crossovers in a cloud of smoke.
Dodge claims that its latest muscle car can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 196 mph. Powered by a 6.2-liter V8 Hemi engine, it’s unlikely to be selected as the official pace car of the Paris Climate Accord.
In reality, most Chargers will be sold with smaller, more fuel efficient engines, the SRT Hellcat and Scatback widebodies serving as aspirational models, projecting a marketing halo over the less powerful versions. Charger SRT starts at about $65,000: a conventional Charger sedan with a V6 engine starts at about half that amount.
Dodge “may only represent 3% of the industry, but it’s a big industry of 17 million cars,” said Tim Kiniskis, head of the brand. “Our job is to continue to enable our brand to connect with its customers, to stand for something.”
“They say the proportion of cars sold will drop from 50% to 25% (compared with trucks and SUVs) by 2023,” he said. “Do we think we’ll be the last dinosaur standing? No.”
The Dodge brand – which includes a Durango SUV, Journey SUV, Grand Caravan minivan and Challenger muscle coupe – sold more than 459,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year, a 2.8% increase over the previous year and more than BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or Lexus brands. Despite its popularity in the U.S., Dodge lacks the global scale that would make its future much brighter.
In the meantime, enthusiasts are sure be lining up at Dodge dealers, their mouths watering as they take possession when the machines are available this fall.
