AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
- Widebody design brings new fender flares first seen on 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon to the Challenger SRT Hellcat
Widebody, adding 3.5 inches of width
- New 20 x 11-inch "Devil's Rim" split-five spoke aluminum wheels riding on 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tires
answer enthusiasts who have been clamoring for a factory-production Hellcat with even more grip
- Road course lap time on a 1.7-mile track lowered by approximately 2 seconds per lap in Widebody vs. standard Hellcat,
approximately 13 car lengths after one lap
- New standard electric power steering (EPS) system with SRT Drive Modes add new selectable steering tuning to Hellcat, to
help manage increased grip for improved acceleration and handling performance
- Powered by proven 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine
- 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody model is open for dealer orders in July; will start arriving in dealerships in
the third quarter
When the new 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon raced down the drag strip to open the New York Auto Show in April, Dodge unleashed
the ultimate street-to-strip car. Today, the brand is following up on its performance car mantra, introducing the new 2018 Dodge
Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, answering enthusiasts who have been clamoring for a factory-production Hellcat with even more
grip.
"The new Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody completes our strongest Dodge muscle car lineup in history," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of
Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America. "Our brand, engineering and design teams poured a ton of
effort into making the new SRT Demon the world's fastest quarter-mile production car, so now we're leveraging that know-how, and
some of those vital elements and transferring them to the new Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody for improved performance on the
street and a bolder, more aggressive new look."
With a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $71,495 (including gas
guzzler tax, excluding destination $1,095), the new Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody model features
the same fender flares first shown on the SRT Demon. These wider fender flares add 3.5 inches to the SRT Hellcat's overall width,
covering the new 20 x 11-inch "Devil's Rim" split-five spoke aluminum wheels, which ride on new, wider 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero
tires with a new tread pattern. A new electric power steering (EPS) system with SRT Drive Modes adds new selectable steering
tuning for the first time on a Hellcat model.
In addition to its wider, more menacing stance, this new Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody delivers improved lap times, lateral
grip, acceleration and braking, compared with the already ferocious performance numbers of the Hellcat:
- Road course lap time on a 1.7-mile track lowered by approximately 2 seconds per lap, approximately 13 car lengths after one
lap
- ¼ mile elapsed time (ET) improved by approximately .3 sec (10.9 ET in Widebody vs. 11.2 ET in standard Hellcat)
- Lateral skid pad grip increased by .04 g (.97 g in Widebody vs. .93 g in standard Hellcat)
- 0-60 mph acceleration improved by .1 second (3.4 in Widebody vs. 3.5 in standard Hellcat)
- Top speed of 195 mph
New EPS – a First for Hellcat
The 2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody features a new standard electric power steering (EPS) system – a first for Hellcat. The
system uses SRT Drive Modes with selectable settings for Street (Auto), Sport and Track.
Not only does the EPS system improve handling performance, owners will also notice better steering feel and ease of turning
efforts at parking lot speeds.
With EPS and SRT Drive Modes, drivers can tailor their experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds,
steering, paddle shifters (automatic transmission only), traction and suspension. There is also a Custom setting lets the driver
use individual preferences.
Functional and Intimidating Exterior Design
With the new Widebody fender flares that add 3.5 inches to the overall width of the Challenger Hellcat, the Widebody model joins
the Challenger SRT Demon as the widest Challengers ever.
The new flares are expertly integrated into the body design with concealed attachments to amplify the Challenger SRT Hellcat's
menacing stance, while making room for the new 20 x 11-inch "Devil's Rim" split-five spoke aluminum wheels that ride on
305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires for improved performance while filling the wheel wells for a stronger planted appearance. The front side
marker lights are styled to flow with the shape of the fender flares.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody carries numerous exterior styling cues Dodge//SRT owners expect, such as:
- Power-bulge aluminum hood with center intake and dual heat extractors
- Exclusive illuminated Air-Catcher headlamps that feed air directly into the air box and engine bay through the center of
the parking lamps
- Quad projector headlamps give a unique detailed appearance, while the aggressive brow "chops" the upper portion of the lamp
design exudes a sinister look
- Front splitter (shared with Demon) and rear spoiler (from Hellcat) deliver responsive and balanced handling at high
speed
- Hellcat-exclusive new grille and fender badges, along with raised SRT Hellcat badge on the rear spoiler
- Standard Brembo brake system includes two-piece 15.4-inch rotors and six-piston front calipers provide outstanding heat
management/thermal capacity and longevity
Proven Supercharged Hellcat Performance
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody is powered by the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 with 707 horsepower and 650
lb.-ft. torque and can be paired to either the Tremec six-speed manual or TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic
transmission.
The proven Hellcat HEMI engine features additional cooling measures including a low-temperature circuit with two air/coolant
heat exchangers integrated into the supercharger housing. This setup is designed to keep air temperatures below 140 degrees
Fahrenheit, under extreme ambient conditions, while enabling air flow of up to 30,000 liters per minute.
So effective is this feature that engine power will not be de-rated due to cooling demands after 20 minutes of hard driving on
a road course at an ambient temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before the new SRT Demon V-8 engine was introduced, the supercharged Hellcat HEMI V-8 was the most powerful passenger-car
engine ever produced by FCA US, which made the Challenger SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat
models the most powerful and fastest coupe and sedan ever. The new engine was also named to Ward's 10 Best Engines list for
2015.
Race-inspired, High-performance Interior
The cockpit of the Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody remains true to its performance-oriented design and execution with world-class
materials; high-sill center console and driver-focused instrument panel with 200-mph speedometer; SRT performance leather-wrapped
flat-bottom, heated steering wheel; standard SRT Laguna leather performance seats with SRT Hellcat logo, and new red Hellcat
instrument panel badge.
SRT Performance Pages are accessible through the latest 8.4-inch touchscreen display media center with standard Uconnect 4C
NAV system featuring performance improvements with faster startup time and enhanced processing power offering multi-touch
gestures, vivid imagery, sharper graphics and the ability to support smartphone integrations.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody will be available 15 exterior colors: B5 Blue (late availability), Billet
Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green (late availability), Go Mango, Granite Crystal, IndiGo Blue (late availability), Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy (late availability),
Redline Tri-Coat, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket.
Production of the 2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody begins later this summer with deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers in the
third quarter.
Official Driving School of Dodge//SRT
All customers who buy the new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody receive one full-day session at Bob Bondurant School of
High-performance Driving. The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler,
Arizona, is the Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge//SRT. All customers who buy a new model SRT will receive
one full-day session of high-performance driving with professional instruction and time on the track as part of the Dodge SRT
Package. For more information, visit www.driveSRT.com.
About Dodge and SRT Brands
The Dodge brand is America's mainstream performance brand. With the purification of the brand and consolidation with SRT, Dodge
is focusing on its performance roots with every single model it offers. The Dodge and SRT brands offer a complete lineup of
performance vehicles that stand out within their own segments. Dodge is the mainstream performance brand and SRT is positioned as
the ultimate performance halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and
one voice.
From muscle cars to minivans, crossovers and full-size SUVs, the Dodge brand's full lineup of 2017 models deliver
best-in-class horsepower, class-exclusive technology, unmatched capability and a slew of cool features, such as LED headlamps,
Dodge signature racetrack tail lamps, active exhaust, cold-air induction, 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment centers and
7-inch customizable gauge clusters, to name a few. For the 2017 model year, the Dodge brand lineup features the 25th anniversary
Viper, Durango, Grand Caravan, Journey, Charger and Challenger, including the new Challenger GT, Charger Daytona and
Challenger T/A, as well as the 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Charger SRT Hellcat, the quickest, fastest and most
powerful sedan in the world.
New for 2018, Dodge introduces the new 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon — the fastest quarter-mile production car in
the world and most powerful muscle car ever, as well as the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT – America's fastest, most powerful and most
capable three-row SUV.
Follow Dodge, SRT and FCA US news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Company website: www.fcanorthamerica.com
Media website: http:// media.fcanorthamerica.com
FCA360: www.fca360.com
Dodge brand: www.dodge.com
Dodge blog: blog.dodge.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge or https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial or
www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge or www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
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SOURCE FCA US LLC