The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has received a lot of press with its 707 horsepower motor and designation as “the most powerful muscle car ever factory-built”. However, up until recently, there has no mention on what sort of fuel economy this $60,000 machine would turn in. Well, EPA ratings for the muscle car are finally out, and the numbers are actually pretty impressive for a vehicle with this much power.
Sudbay Dodge in Gloucester, MA gave us the specs. The 2015 Challenger Hellcat with the eight-speed automatic is rated at 22 miles per gallon highway, 13 mpg city and 16 mpg combined by the EPA. Interestingly, when outfitted with the six-speed manual the fuel economy actually drops a small amount, in particular to 21 mpg highway, 13 mpg city with a 16 mpg average combined.
“As the fastest muscle car ever, the Challenger Hellcat can run 10-second ETs at the track, and then get 22 miles per gallon on the drive home. With a starting price of $59,995, there’s nothing else that even comes close,” said Dodge and SRT President Tim Kuniskis in a Dodge company release.
And he’s quite right. When comparing the Hellcat to the other cars in its class, its fuel economy numbers could be called stellar. Even the Dodge Viper, the SRT Hellcat’s sibling rival, is slightly lower at 21 mpg highway and 12 mpg city, while making a significant less power and torque. Care for a more exotic example? The Lamborghini Aventor with its 700 hp powerplant is rated at 18 MPG highway and just 11 mpg by the EPA.
What is specifically interesting about the just released Challenger SRT Hellcat gas mileage is that one can now state that muscle cars can actually be gasoline-frugal. Previous generations of muscle cars, even back to the 1950s, really couldn’t make that claim –not even close. How times have changed!
Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.