Silencing Doubters, Dodge Proves Charger Hellcat Top Speed (Video)

2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat (Credit: Dodge )

Believe it or not, there are doubters when it comes to the performance of the venerable Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, including when it comes to the car’s 204 mph top speed. Apparently some people simply can’t believe that a sedan, especially one made by an American (and Italian) car company, can reach such a speed. Perhaps those people have looked beyond the incredible 707 horsepower coursing from the vehicle’s Hemi V-8 engine, which is difficult to imagine put a possibility.

Dodge is busy positioning itself as a cheap speed brand, so it must defend its models’ performance numbers with real vigor. To do that, it posted a video dramatically proving that the Charger SRT Hellcat can indeed go 204.55 mph.

For the top-speed test, the company used a Charger that is set up just like the ones you can go test drive (cautiously, of course) at your local Dodge dealership. That means the engine calibration, transmission, ride height, aero, and tires were nothing beyond spec. The only reason the car was wearing swirly patterns was that it was the last level of prototype before the sedan went into production. The car was driven on an oval, with the top speed for both straightaways being averaged so that wind did not help or hurt the final figure.

With the wind at its backside, the Charger did 206.9 mph. Heading into the wind, the car went 202.2 mph. Of course there will still be doubters even after they watch the video, and that’s just the way it is.

Even the most diehard Ford and GM fans have to admit that the Charger SRT Hellcat is an impressive machine. It’s the quickest, fastest, and most powerful sedan in the world, yet can be had at a price that is pretty reasonable when compared to the Lamborghinis and other exotic supercars it stacks up against in a surprising number of ways. The fact that it has an extra set of doors means owners can easily scare the crap out of friends or anyone else they wish.