Dodge Charger, Challenger SRT8 To Get 570HP SuperCharger

[AVANTI R5]

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Gear up, muscle car fans, as we've once again got an exclusive scoop on what's in store for you. The horsepower wars are most certainly not over. Dodge's newly-formed SRT brand is planning a factory-option supercharger for the LX-platform SRT8 cars that'll boost the new 6.4-liter HEMI as high as 570 horsepower.

Though it's likely reluctant to frame it as a response to the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the coming upgraded Ford Mustang GT500, the supercharged SRT8 cars are probably exactly that. Our inside source says the twin-screw supercharger kit, which will be available for order as a factory part, will come very late in calendar year 2012 for 2013 model-year cars, and will boost horsepower up to the 540-570 hp range.

That's right on par with the competition, which is also due out around that time frame. The supercharger kit, built by Eaton, will also come with another upgrade: eight-speed transmissions.

Pricing remains unknown at this point, as does any word on what the blown SRT8s will get in the way of unique naming or badges, but the information comes from a dependable source, so if you're in the market for an LX-platform SRT8 (sorry, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 fans, no love for you) you might want to hold onto your cash for another year to get the big dog. Of course, it's likely to be offered as an available dealer-installed upgrade to existing SRT8s, too, so maybe you can go ahead and pull the trigger now.

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[MrSaabaru]

meh. it's hard to imagine these cars actually competing with the other two. the ride dynamics of the SRT8 don't match the mustang gt or camaro ss in current form. Why should we think that adding a supercharger to make it as powerful as the next step up from those would fare any better? I don't think the problems with the SRT8 were at all related to an underpowered engine.

[justincredible]

Now if only they didn't weigh nearly 4300 and 4400 pounds.

[SLO_Flat4]

Originally Posted by MrSaabaru

meh. it's hard to imagine these cars actually competing with the other two. the ride dynamics of the SRT8 don't match the mustang gt or camaro ss in current form. Why should we think that adding a supercharger to make it as powerful as the next step up from those would fare any better? I don't think the problems with the SRT8 were at all related to an underpowered engine.

You didn't know? To fix handling issue you just need to add power. Everything else will sort itself out.

I agree though, they need to sort a few things out if they actually want to be on the same playing field. I bet the sound it makes will be amazing though.

[MrSaabaru]

:facepalm:

What was I thinking?!!

[arghx7]

So they are just bolting up another transmission, slapping a turbo kit on and not doing anything else to the car? There are no beefed up engine internals or improved brakes?

[424wrx]

Originally Posted by arghx7

So they are just bolting up another transmission, slapping a turbo kit on and not doing anything else to the car? There are no beefed up engine internals or improved brakes?

the ops post says supercharger not turbocharger.

[MikeNH]

Might make it quicker but the Dodge stuff still sucks. Had a V6 Challenger last week as a rental and the interior was crap. The Camaro and Ford aren't exactly world-class but at least they have some cool touches. Not here.

[WickedRydaX]

Originally Posted by MikeNH

V6 Challenger last week as a rental and the interior was crap.

That is your problem, not the brand. It was a base model. Go rent a base chevy or ford and see how 'nice' it is.
MCL

[MrSaabaru]

Even for the base models, the camaro and mustang finally tried to make them more than what people can actually afford when they walk in wanting an SS or GT.

Dodge's challenger V6 seems like an afterthought, so I would still give them a lower score, even on a rental.

[HipToBeSquare]

A car as big as challenger... why not just get the Hemi R/T, if not the SRT?

A V6 Challenger is an afterthought anyway... the new V6 is a good engine, supposedly, but still isn't as powerful as the Ford and GM, Hyundai, Nissan, and other 3.5-4.0 liter V6s.

[MikeNH]

Originally Posted by WickedRydaX

That is your problem, not the brand. It was a base model. Go rent a base chevy or ford and see how 'nice' it is.
MCL

I rent cars nearly every week. I have gotten base model Camaros and Mustangs. Chrysler interiors are still sub-par compared to GM and Ford in nearly every vehicle class. And the fact they haven't managed to get rid of that 5 speed auto is just sad. The other two drive way nicer with the closer ratios and when you gun the Challenger (and every other vehicle I've driven with their 5-speed) sometimes it'll drop a gear or two right off and get going, other times it gets all weird and stumbles. That is bad news trying to merge onto a highway.

I'll also add that the Challenger did by far the weakest brakestand of the 3 muscle cars.

Chrysler can't afford for the V6 to be an "afterthought" either. I read that Ford is selling the Mustang 50/50 V6 to V8. I haven't seen numbers on the Camaro but I bet it is similar. We won't even touch on how if you're a Mopar guy you gotta spend like $15k more for the SRT version to even begin to dance with a Mustang GT or Camaro SS.

[HipToBeSquare]

It is a bit off to compare Challenger and Mustang without the context of weight.

Challenger SE V6 before 2011 (LH V6), made 250hp/250tq. 2011-current is 305hp/268tq with the Pentastar V6.
RT varies by year and auto or manual from 370-376hp, and 398-410tq.
SRT8 was 425hp,420tq. SRT8-392 470hp&tq for 2011.

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/cha...fications.html

Is the Challenger really too heavy, as some say?
2010 figures - Weight(V6) - Weight(V8) - Wheelbase - Length - Width - Passenger Volume - Trunk Volume
Chlgr(SE/SRT8) - 3,720 - 4,132* - 116 - 197.7 - 75.7 - 16.2 c.f.
Mustang - 3,453 - 3,605 - 107 - 188 - 73.9 - 83.3 c.f. - 13.4 c.f.
Camaro - 3,780 - 3,849 - 112 - 190 - 75.5 - 91.5 c.f. - 11.3 c.f.
*Challenger R/T model weighs 4,041 pounds.

Mustang has a clear V6 power to weight advantage for 2011, by roughly equal engine power, but a 267lb weight advantage. Challenger and Camaro are roughly equal, with the Camaro having 60 more lbs on the V6.

The V8 models quickly diverge.
The Mustang GT goes over 400hp, while the Challenger RT is 35 horsepower down, and 436lbs heavier.

But the RT Challenger has 10lbs/hp @ 375hp. The SE V6 (2011, 305hp) has 12lbs per peak horsepower, and obviously FAR less of a torque curve than the V8 RT, which makes it much easier to drive while not at peak power output.

The 2011 306hp V6 Mustang carries only 11.2lbs per peak horsepower. The 5.0 GT is even more advantageous (412hp, 3605lbs) carrying only 8.12lbs per horsepower.

Power to weight is CLEARLY in the Mustang's favor, unless comparing the Challenger RT to the Mustang V6.

And the Challenger RT handles it's increased weight over Challenger SE better with a larger power increase than it's weight increase.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Yawn.

[arghx7]

The ZL1 uses the LSA engine from Cadillac, which was actually engineered for boost (less expensive LS9 engine in some ways). Is Chrysler just dropping this kit on stock Hemi internals?

[doylfish]

that challenger needs to be in my driveway. like yesterday.

[impreza99]

Total agree