Next Dodge Challenger Might Overpower the Viper V10

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

The race to claim the highest horsepower rating has been alive and well in the world of muscle cars since the beginning, but it looks like Chrysler is facing an internal horsepower race.

A new 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 known as the Hellcat is being put together for the next-generation SRT-tuned Dodge Challenger, and it is creating debate within Chrysler because its horsepower rating may eclipse the 640 hp found in the flagship Viper’s naturally aspirated V10.

“We have a situation where, you know — we may have a situation — where the flagship car is not the most powerful car in our arsenal … how do we explain that to ourselves? So we have an internal horsepower race as well as an external one,” Ralph Gilles, CEO of SRT told Hot Rod.

If the Hellcat wants to do battle with the Ford Mustang GT500’s 662 hp and the Chevy Camaro ZL1’s 580 hp, it will have to be very close to the stepping on the Viper’s toes.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story our at SRT Viper Forum

Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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  • Bee Bee on Apr 06, 2014

    What's a rack?

  • Racindan47 Racindan47 on Apr 07, 2014

    The dilemma is easily resolved. Simply bolt a blower or a pair of turbos on the viper, tune it to 1000hp and let everyone else catch up over the course of the next few years. Simple by my logic.

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