The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody First Drive
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody First Drive
Posted on August 17, 2017
As the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody heads into late summer production, we thought we’d let our Hellcat fans in Brampton and Mississauga in on what it’s like to drive one of these high-performance beauties. Wider tires give you that nice sticky grip that offers a flow so smooth, you’ll forget all about that limited-edition Demon you thought you couldn’t live without.
Held up to the standard Hellcat, the Widebody has impressive cornering grip, improved acceleration, and simply excellent braking capability. That V8 model shares the same Brembo braking package as the standard Hellcat, but somehow the braking feels superior. The Widebody’s quarter-mile clocks in at 0.3 seconds quicker, and its 0-60 miles per hour ranking drops from 3.5 to 3.4 seconds. On the skid pad, lateral grip increases by 0.04 G to 0.97 G. Nice, huh? Dodge proudly reports that the Widebody consistently drops two seconds off its lap time when compared to the standard Hellcat. That leaves you looking at a finish of 13 car lengths ahead of the standard Hellcat. Tempting indeed.
Just listen to that sweet snarl and whine as you head into a first turn. It’s how you know 707 horsepower is just right. Ease nicely out of long corners with sharp but fully manageable acceleration. The steering kit is hefty but you won’t be worn out as you stitch those multiple corners together on a longer course. Snarling all the way, this big kitty’s engine can hit a 6,200-rpm redline. Every shift treats you to a deep shudder, especially in automatic mode. But the gear changes are quick, and there’s no steam lost as the car surpasses 140 mph. You’ll always have a good idea of your speed with an easy-to-read digital speedometer on the TFT display. The Widebody is a car that stays balanced, compliant and comfortable throughout a demanding circuit.
We are taking factory orders, please call Rich Fatrola to order your Hellcat Widebody Today. Come see us at Team Chrysler to talk about the Hellcat in person.