2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 6.2L V8 6MT RWD (485 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Dodge introduced a substantial update for the Challenger in 2015, throwing the gloves off and offering a 700+ hp muscle car that could challenge anyone on the drag strip.

While Dodge took the worst time of the decade to launch the Challenger in 2008, during the world financial crisis, its efforts paid off. When the crisis ended a couple of years later, the car was running high tides, and everyone praised it. Then, after a mild update for the 2011 model year, the big American coupe was facelifted for the 2015 model year. This time, it wasn’t just some new wheels and lights on the door handles. It was a leap forward. Besides the exterior, which was slightly updated, the interior went through a complete change. In addition, the drivetrain was refreshed with the introduction of new transmissions, improved engines, and perhaps the most significant upgrade, the Hellcat engine.

Dodge’s engineering team worked in the wind tunnel to enhance the Challenger’s drag coefficient. Its front fascia featured a new vertical-split grille that took its inspiration from the 1971 model. The aluminum hood was adorned by a power-bulge that featured a cold-air intake, which resembled the one installed on the 1996 Dodge Viper coupe. In addition, vehicles fitted with the Hellcat engine had two vents that reduced the heat under the hood. In addition, the supercharged version featured a so-called Air Catcher inlet port that fed air directly into the engine air box through the driver-side parking lamp. Last but not least, the Challenger Hellcat featured a large splitter that increased downforce.

From its profile, the American coupe boasted its muscle-car appearance thanks to its thruster rear fenders, raised behind the doors. Dodge offered the 2015 SRT with 20-inch alloy wheels regardless of the engine version, albeit those fitted on the Hellcat were wider. In addition, the front fenders of that potent version had chromed “Supercharged” badges on the front fenders, like a warning for those who wanted to challenge them. At the back, the automaker dropped the idea of full-width taillights. It installed two separate units with a rectangular shape that resembled those from the 1971 Challenger. Between them, the chromed Dodge badge stood proud on the rear fascia above the bumper. Both versions got a restyled rear valance that made the 2015 Challenger SRT look lower to the ground.

Inside, customers found a completely new interior. Fronting the driver was a fresh instrument panel that showed a seven-inch configurable driver display (DID) flanked by the retro-styled speedometer and tachometer. In addition, the driver fronted a flat-bottom heated steering wheel sporting the SRT badge in the middle. At the same time, the horizontal spokes featured buttons that controlled the media system, the cruise control function, and other functions of the DID. The high-bolstered front seats were leather-wrapped and promised excellent side support during high-speed cornering, while the center console between them was styled differently, depending on the car version. Both had the same trapezoidal shape, but the Challenger SRT 392 featured a “Hectic Mesh” design, while the SRT Hellcat featured a “Dark Engine Turn” finish.

Under the hood, both vehicles came fitted with the 392 HEMI engine that featured on-head valves. The SRT 392 was naturally aspirated, while the SRT Hellcat was helped by a supercharged to develop 707 hp (717 PS). Both versions could be paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission that sent all the oomph to the rear wheels.