M/T: Charger Hellcat long term arrival

[kevm14]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2016-dod ... 04C4762EE1

These just can't get out of the hole for the trap speed (couldn't get out of the 12s...with 700 hp), but man, that trap speed. Like 124 mph. Even at $73k it's pretty reasonable for the speed you get, in a fullsize sedan. But new cars are stupid. And if I want to go fast in a straight line on a budget, I can do it for a fraction of this price.

[kevm14]

On the other hand, for $11k more (only 15% - like walking into a dealer looking for a $30k car and leaving with a $34.5k one, nothing totally unbelievable), you could get into a CTS-V. Not quite as much room, but about as fast and roughly 1,000x better at everything else.

[bill25]

Or you could get a Hellcat and just enjoy it. There is a purple one that parks near the back entrance. Pretty awesome. Probably plenty for the street. Actually, there is a weird concentration of nice cars down there compared to the rest of the lots. Wonder what is up with that.

[kevm14]

There is some discussion about how people think the fact that it isn't that great on the track isn't important. Well, that's true - it's a muscle sedan. That said, my biggest reason for emphasizing track times is because it's objective. You feel like you're going fast, shifting gears all over the place? Cool, is it actually fast? You feel like you have a million HP and nothing can touch you? Cool, is it actually fast when it comes to the total performance envelope? Or are you going to see the tail lights of cars with 250 hp less than you?

It is a composite of all of the individual specs that people may over or under emphasize. Now, it has to be said that not all tracks are the same, but in general, I am very comfortable using them as a total performance yard stick.

[bill25]

I still think that is strictly track because most situations on the road, this will be awesome.

[bill25]

I can't hate this car until GM has competition for it. Plus base price is about 68K. I also thought this was the Challenger at first. That car is better.

[kevm14]

Actually the Charger is better.

[kevm14]

There is some discussion about how people think the fact that it isn't that great on the track isn't important. Well, that's true - it's a muscle sedan. That said, my biggest reason for emphasizing track times is because it's objective. You feel like you're going fast, shifting gears all over the place? Cool, is it actually fast? You feel like you have a million HP and nothing can touch you? Cool, is it actually fast when it comes to the total performance envelope? Or are you going to see the tail lights of cars with 250 hp less than you?

It is a composite of all of the individual specs that people may over or under emphasize. Now, it has to be said that not all tracks are the same, but in general, I am very comfortable using them as a total performance yard stick.

Let me clarify - track times don't trump all attributes. However, if you combine track capability with other characteristics, I can get a pretty good idea about the car. For example, a Viper ACR. Amazing on the track. Totally awful street car. C7 Z06, on the other hand, is great on the track and great on the street. Generally, I seem to favor large sedans that have a world class ride/handling balance that can also make their way around the track at the top of their class. Other people like other things.

[kevm14]

Side note: someone called M/T out for having no Ford long term cars.

Surprisingly response from an editor:

Ford doesn't do long-term cars.

That is...odd.

[kevm14]

Brilliant move by Motor Trend. The new ZL1 comes out in the fall and Motor Trend is surely only a few months away from a road test on the ZL1. They should choose the 10-speed and pit the Hellcat (with fresh tires) against the new Alpha platform super-Camaro. That will be an Epic Head-to-Head. Lieberman's familiarity with the Hellcat after a few months will make for an excellent and insightful review contrasting the two.

My money would be on the new ZL1 to take every single performance metric. And this time they should finally run a Hellcat on a timed road-course. Oh yeah, and a 40-mph roll-race as is done at 1/2 mile events.