<h1>Is the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Boring, or Am I Simply Dumb?</h1>


With the spooky season upon us and Halloween right nearby, it's time for a frightening tale: that time a 707-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive car made me really feel ... burnt out. That's right. The 2020 Dodge Battery Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, in the brand-new Hellraisin paint shade, left me feeling distinctly "meh." As well as it can take place to you! (Yet probably not.).

The likeliest explanation for this extremely zesty take is that I'm jaded, and also having routine access to a lot of various brand-new cars and trucks considerably decreases the excitement a Charger Hellcat-- also the new Widebody variation-- can give.

However it seems like there's even more to it, so let me make my instance. By making it a widebody, Dodge can ultimately offer the Battery charger Hellcat suitably broad tires-- in this situation, foot-wide Pirellis-- getting rid of one of the white-knuckled components of driving a Hellcat: constantly getting on edge when you press the accelerator, especially if the automobile isn't pointed 100% directly, due to the fact that the tail truly wants to glide out. That's interesting, and also it felt like an accomplishment to return from a drive without incidents. It doesn't seem like a 700-plus horse power vehicle ought to ever before appear manageable, but Widebody variations of both the Battery Charger and Challenger Hellcat fall into that camp.

Add to this that I live within Chicago's city restrictions, so much of my driving was restricted to city roadways where it's difficult to get the most out of that power. Also freeway conditions can not maximize its power, making every journey seem like a waste of gas. Which the Charger Hellcat drinks like a frat promise. It just really felt ... meaningless. You genuinely require to take a Hellcat to a drag strip to experience the task of design it is.

Was it simply me? I asked my associates to suggest on whether it was uninteresting, especially after one shared that he had both a Charger Hellcat Widebody and a new Ford Transit van in his driveway one weekend and also chose the Transit for his neighborhood Autos and also Coffee meetup. So here's a point-counterpoint based on what they had to state.

Factor: The Battery Charger Hellcat Isn't as Amazing as It Made use of to Be.
The majority of remarks concentrated on the appearance of the Hellcat versions as well as exactly how Dodge, by including widebody variations to multiple design variations, has actually worn down a great deal of the Hellcat's originality. (Having actually simply driven an Opposition Scat Pack Widebody before the Battery charger, I can confirm that I was typically asked if I was driving a Hellcat-- normally right prior to somebody tried to race me at a stoplight.).

" I believe Dodge actually thinned down the Hellcat's specialness when it introduced the same styling adjustments for the non-Hellcat designs. Currently, it's almost difficult to inform if a Charger/Challenger is a Hellcat or not; even the badges aren't an excellent giveaway anymore.

" I think Dodge needs to bring back some visual style to the Hellcats to make them clearly different somehow-- and that doesn't indicate huge, foolish graphics. Something special and also quickly identifying to divide your 700-plus-hp sedan or coupe from the lesser designs that use the same widebody options.".

-- Aaron Bragman, Detroit bureau principal.

" To me, part of what's dimmed the allure of a Charger or Opposition-- regardless of unreasonable horsepower figures, technique Mopar little bits and also outrageous paint names fit for an Arena Football League group-- is a dilution of the trim degrees. Dodge's recent statement that it will certainly expand the Challenger Widebody schedule alone to 6 versions of the coupe is a fine example. Perhaps one of the most special aesthetic component for a Hellcat when it initially turned out in 2018, the Widebody version now really feels just pedestrian.

" One evident solution is to clear up the Charger and Opposition schedules. Undoubtedly a few of the reduced trims (SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack) can pay for to go, not to mention the opportunity of an R/T Widebody of any kind of kind. Trim-specific grilles, added brightwork and some differing aero work for the looter-- gaudy though they might seem-- could additionally help differentiate trims on the greater end and also provide one more aesthetic component.".

-- Patrick Masterson, elderly duplicate editor.

Counterpoint: You're a Pinhead, Brian.

Most of these remarks politely informed me that I'm dumb.

" I entirely get that they're coming to be a much more usual as well as much less special sight on the road, but I'm absolutely not in the 'Hellcats are boring to drive' camp. Anything that can crack off a 10-second pass in stock kind with a drag radial will make the majority of people crap their trousers. What could be mistaken for 'boring' is how forgiving and easy to drive they are, with fantastic street manners as well as a lengthy wheelbase that makes it extra convenient to obtain the tail end a little squirrely. That's a plus. The Widebody cars are much more secure with their extra grasp. Driving a narrow-tire Hellcat on a conventional street tire, as well as with manual transmission, stays super sketchy.".

-- Joe Bruzek, handling editor.


" This illustrates the bubble vehicle lovers-- as well as the auto media-- stay in.grill for a 2004 ford f150 We see sufficient Hellcat versions of the Battery charger and Opposition around here, specifically as Dodge moms and dad Fiat Chrysler Vehicles generated also higher-performance versions of both vehicles and spread the engine to its SUVs. But the 'regular' Hellcats remain monsters. We ran the quarter-mile in 11.03 secs with a Battery charger SRT Hellcat in 2015, which was before Dodge added the Widebody variation with 16% bigger rear tires. Also 5 years later, that's quick sufficient to smoke the huge majority of brand-new, manufacturing facility efficiency cars and trucks.".

- Kelsey Mays, senior editor, customer events & vehicle analyses.

" I such as the fact that having 700-plus hp isn't actually frightening. I believe Dodge did a fantastic work in making it civilized.".

-- Aaron Bragman.


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