DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY REMAINS THE BEAST AMONG MUSCLE CARS

At a time when some automakers are giving up on sedans or least pushing their SUVs/crossovers to buyers seeking family transportation, Dodge seems to be taking a different approach.

Since bringing back its famed Charger as a 2006 five-passenger large sedan after killing off the coupe version in 1987, the automaker has expanded the Charger portfolio from two versions (SE and R/T) to five trim levels for 2020 with the outrageous 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat sitting at the top of the class.

And it is getting some upgrades for 2020. A new Widebody Package that is standard on the Hellcat and available on the Scat Pack trim features new front and rear fascias with integrated fender flares that add 3.5 inches of width over the wider wheels and tires (Hence the “Widebody” tag.).

That provides more room for 20- by 11-inch wheels that are shod with wider and stickier Pirelli 305/35ZR20 tires than were on its predecessor. Dodge trumpets that that combination, “paired with new competition suspension tuning with Bilstein three-mode adaptive damping, produces even more grip, delivering improved performance on the street, strip and road course, making this the quickest and best handling production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat ever.”

As if 707 horsepower isn’t enough, the 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in limited production Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition models get a boost to 717 hp with torque at 650 pound-feet.

Dodge says that the 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat — the “SRT” stands for “street racing technology” — is the “the quickest and best-handling production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat ever.”

As evidence, how about a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, quarter mile in 10.96, and .96g lateral grip on the skid pad.

The 8-speed manual transmission offers manual gear selection via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, and Custom Mode lets the driver select their preferred settings.

Charger SRTs come with rear-wheel drive as standard. All-wheel drive is available on some other Charger models.


Even with the emphasis on performance, the Charger SRT Hellcat is civilized enough to seat five passengers comfortably with 40.1 inches of legroom, 57.9 inches of shoulder room, and 36.6 of headroom in the back.

The seats are comfortable providing for a smooth ride experience, but with the rumbling exhaust, it is anything but quiet. Ventilated Laguna leather seats with the Hellcat logo are standard on the SRT Hellcat and come in black, black/sepia, black/demonic red colors.

The cabin probably isn’t as refined as you will find in luxury sedans with their genuine wood and brushed aluminum inlays, but it’s not the bleak, spartan interior typical of past Muscle Cars either. It would be nice, perhaps, if there were a bit fewer hard plastic surfaces.

The UConnect 4C infotainment system on the SRT Hellcat is one of the friendliest around and features a nice-sized 8.4-inch touchscreen display screen as well as knobs for operating such basic functions as audio adjustments and climate control. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio are included.

Also available is an upgraded UConnect 4C system with navigation.

Pricing for the Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody starts at $71,140 or more than double the $31,359 for the base Charger SXT. Both numbers include a hefty $1,495 destination and delivery charge, and the SRT Hellcat also is levied a $2,100 gas guzzler fee.

The bottom line on my test vehicle was $78,320.

What I liked about the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody: Infotainment features are very user-friendly, and the display screen is of good-size. Obviously, the power is something to enjoy, and the interior is roomy. So is the trunk.

What I didn’t like about the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody: Fuel mileage, as expected, is very poor. Premium fuel is required for the Hellcat, and EPA mileage figures are among the lowest I’ve seen in a while at 12 miles-per-gallon city, 21 highway, and 15 combined. Numbers from the computer readout on my test vehicle stayed mostly at 11-12 mpg and change and barely touched 13.

Would I buy the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody? Mixed feelings here. I’d love to have one, but it’s not a great everyday vehicle for sure. Finding a spot where you can “stretch its legs” to full performance is virtually impossible outside the race track. But if you can afford a $70,000 toy, you won’t be disappointed.

DODGE CHARGE R/T MATCHED 

WITH DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT

One of the last reviews I wrote for examiner.com this summer was on the Dodge Charger Hellcat. This is the vehicle that dropped a virtual nuclear bomb in the horsepower wars a couple of years ago by putting a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 under the Charger’s hood. At 707 horsepower, it became the most powerful sedan in the world.

With 650 pound-feet of available torque, the Hellcat zips from zero-to-60 mph in well under four seconds, and the website torquenews.com has reported a time actually quicker than that —  just 2.9 seconds.

Of course, there was more to the review than horsepower numbers and I really would like to give you a link to it. When they pulled the plug on examiner.com recently, however, they really pulled the plug and it’s not available any more. Maybe the Russians can find it.

The Charger Hellcat is well-equipped with lots of extras thrown in and roomy as well. One thing I noted in my review was that even with all those power, the Hellcat with its five-passenger capacity still could serve as a “family car,” though one not particularly fuel efficient.

But it also carries a base price tag of nearly $66,000 which, let’s face it, is a lot of money for a Dodge no matter how refined and fast it may be.

But you don’t have to spend that much to get the Charger’s Muscle Car looks and performance that lives up to the image.

Take the Charger R/T Blacktop I had this past week.

It’s equipped with a 5.7-liter naturally aspirated HEMI V8 that is rated at 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque that will scoot you from zero-to-60 in the neighborhood of five seconds, which is a sports-car like number in a full-size sedan. It carries a base MSRP of $34,890 (including destination and delivery), which is roughly half of what the Hellcat will set you back. (OK. A little more than half.)

(For the record, a couple of other Charger trims come with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that produces 485 horsepower with 475 lb.-ft. of torque going to the rear wheels, and the base SE and SXT trims come with a standard 3.6-liter V6 with ratings of 292 hp and 260 lb.-ft. — 300 and 264, respectively, with the Rallye Group package included.)

Fuel consumption for the 5.7-liter HEMI is rated at 16 miles-per-gallon city, 25 highway, and 19 combined, which according to the car’s computer is right at the numbers I was getting for my week. Mid-grade fuel is recommended, but Dodge says that regular is acceptable. Numbers for the Hellcat are 13/22 and premium fuel is recommended, so you come out a little ahead there as well.

All the engines, by the way, are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection capable via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The R/T comes with a pretty wide variety of standard features, like anti-lock disc performance brakes, sport suspension, electronic stability and traction control, hill start assist, automatic headlamps, keyless Go system with push-button start, Dodge’s UConnect system with an 8.4-inch screen to operate telematic funcions, voice commands, and dual zone A/C.

My test vehicle had some option packages that added such features as a Beats Premium sound system, leather seats, HID projector headlamps, ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, rear backup camera, park-assist system, and the Blacktop appearance package that features 20-inch polished and black painted aluminum wheels, black trim touches inside and out, navigation, and a leather-wrapped performance steering wheel.

Oh. And a black painted roof.

That ran the total MSRP to $41,070, which is still quite a bit less than what the Hellcat will set you back. Can you accept getting to 60 mph a couple of seconds slower? I can for that.

What I liked about the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Blacktop: The looks are outstanding, and the performance is among the best, and not just in power. Handling is very nimble, and the quiet ride is firm but not overly stiff. The interior has been seriously upgraded with the cheap plastics of past cabins long gone. Backseat passengers can get 40.1 inches of legroom, only 1.7 inches less than those in the front. Trunk capacity is 16.5 cubic feet, which matches what you find in most others in the segment, including the Chrysler 300. Navigation, audio, etc. are very easy to operate.

What I didn’t like about the 2016 Dodger Charger RT Blacktop: Visibility is somewhat restricted by the large rear pillars and small rear windows. Seats could provide more support. A little more in the way of fuel economy would be nice, but if you want that performance, you’ve got to sacrifice something.

Would I buy this car: Yes. The R/T is as fun to drive as the Hellcat (more economical, too) and leaves you a lot more money to spend on extras.