It’s been three years since Dodge released the 707 hp Challenger SRT Hellcat and it has yet to be surpassed by a more powerful muscle car from any of the brand’s main rivals.
As it stands, Chevrolet has come the closest, as its new Camaro ZL1 delivers 650 hp from it 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. Like the Hellcat, it is also rear-wheel drive and offered with both a manual transmission and automatic ‘box and in a straight line, should be a pretty good match for the Dodge, at least in theory.
Shortly after customer deliveries of the new ZL1 commenced, one eager owner took the car to the drag strip and immediately lined up against a Hellcat. Bad decision.
On paper, both cars can achieve mid-11 second quarter mile times but the Camaro in question was a manual while the Hellcat was an automatic. Additionally, it seems apparent that the ZL1 owner is still coming to grips with launching the car, hence the gentle start.
We’d be very interested in seeing an automatic ZL1 going up against an auto Hellcat and would expect quite a closer result. Around a racetrack however, the Camaro would probably be the one to place your bets on.