As soon as Dodge dropped the 707 horsepower hammer blow that is 2015 Challenger Hellcat on the automotive world, we knew this was going to happen. By “this”, we mean a comparison between the 2014 Camaro ZL1 and Dodge’s new crown jewel. Motor Trend was first to acquire the two iconic muscle cars and line them up side-by-side, so lets break down their results.
The Hellcat and the ZL1 both have 6.2-liter supercharged V8s, but there are a few differences. The Camaro has a 1.9-liter Eaton Roots style supercharger, while the Challenger has a larger 2.4-liter Lysholm unit. The Camaro is obviously down on power – 580 to the Hellcat’s 707, but it makes up for by being nearly 400 lbs lighter than the Dodge. As a result, the performance differences between the two when MT took them to their test track weren’t as big as you might think.
In the quarter-mile the six-speed manual Camaro posted a 3.9-second 0-60-mph time before blasting down the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds at 116.6 mph. The Hellcat meanwhile posted a 0-60 mph time of 3.7-second time with an 11.7 second quarter-mile at 125.4 mph. We all saw that one coming though, after all, the Hellcat was developed for the drag strip.
The figure eight let the ZL1 make good use of its smaller kerb weight. MT said the Camaro is “well-suited for handling work, with quick, accurate steering that weights up nicely, and a well-controlled ride, thanks to GM’s trick magnetic shocks.” As such, it posted the faster figure eight time of the two, 24.0- seconds to the Hellcat’s 24.7. That seems like a small difference, but MT says the Hellcat behaved “just like a (standard) Challenger. Understeer into the corner, oversteer out,” which speaks volumes.
So far no surprises then. The 5th generation Camaro has historically been America’s best handling pony car and the Hellcat has 707 horsepower, so it being faster at the strip was inevitable. The Hellcat drew significantly more attention from fellow motorists when MT drove around in it though, which is no doubt an important attribute of any flashy performance car. The California Highway Patrol even gestured for them to do a highway pull in it, while the Camaro received little to no attention.
MT say Chevy “appears to have forgotten” that “musclecars are supposed to be as much about the show as they are about the go,” with the ZL1, which is a statement we outright disagree with. In comparison to any other everyday car, the Camaro is a head turner, but lined up against the brand-new 707 horsepower Hellcat painted in a striking Sublime Green shade, it really stands no chance. We’d say Chevy styled the Camaro with show in mind, but the buzz surrounding the Hellcat is what created the especially overwhelming attention towards it. Admittedly, the Hellcat would have gotten the majority of our attention, too.
Chevrolet will have a new ZL1 or other performance variant of the Camaro when the sixth-generation of the muscle car drops next year, which may close the performance gap between the 580 horse ZL1 and 707 horse Hellcat. In the mean time, Dodge will no doubt have the performance advantage at the drag strip. It doesn’t really matter though, because the real winner here is the consumer. These two cars have a combined output of 1,287 horsepower and joint value of $123,715, which makes us feel like were living in a truly great time for performance cars. Â You can read what MT thought of the ZL1 and Hellcat in their comparison test here.
Comments
Dont see the point in comparing a car designed in 2012 to a car designed in 2015. The camaro is much older, and it still handles better, has a better power to weight ratio, and is more desireable. the hellcat beats it at the strip, but who cars, Remember when motor trend compared the gt500 and the zl1 and the gt500 beat it in the drag? They quoted “thats how we used to test cars 40 years ago” now theres more to the car then a drag race, The camaro would eat this thing on the track, they didnt even run it at a course though. Makes me wonder how they can say the hellcats better. Theres more to cars then a strait line now, motor trend seems to have forgotten how comparing a car works. Zl1 three years older, less horsepower, handles better, fasater around a race track, and gets better gas mileage (not that it matters). I’d say zl1 is the real winner here. Hard to say the dodge came out on top of this generation when they waited for the competition to move on.
The Hellcat is just what is it a great engine that is put into a very old car that is in great need for replacement.
The fact is the muscle car as we knew it has changed and evolved. In the old days it did not have to stop and it did not have to turn. It only had to go like hell. While this car does go like hell it does not much else.
The engine has bought time to a car that is not going to replace soon. With a new Ford and soon a new Chevy they needed some help and that is all this engine does.
The fact is the car could turn these times with only 600 plus HP as the car is not putting all 707 HP to the ground as it just does not have the tools to do that.
To me the new Hellcat is just the kid in the back of the class who is only good at Gym acting out as he is getting overlooked because of the kids in the front of the class that can do all things very well.
Chrysler or Fiat did a smart thing here to buy some time but it will only last so long. They had better get a new car moving along soon or they will be left behind and no cry out from more HP will matter.
Wow, noticing all the thumbs down on the first two comments that state the TRUTH, that the Camaro is better overall, looks like there’s a lot of fiat gaycat fans in here, and almost ANY car would turn heads with a flashy color.
Some folks just can’t take the truth.
But what ever it is what it is and a lie will not change it.
article points out the attention grabbing challenger. as owner of a 2009 challenger, i still get comments and admiration in this car. and i’ll also say it is a fun drivers experience, it peels out of parking lots, tires are quick to chirp. the last time i was on a racetrack… well i never was so i guess the straight line thing is more applicable.
You know what I find most interesting? The majority of Chevy & Ford fans don’t see what the true draw is here. Of the three pony cars discussed & compared (Challenger, GT500, Camaro) the Hellcat Challenger looks more like its predecessor from 1971. It accomplished this task the best of all three.
I know that it’s a heavy car on the track, and doesn’t perform as well as compared to the others. But, I don’t take “the track” when I drive to work. In fact, the last time was at the track, I had my 427 Shelby Cobra lapped by a Miata! So, I’m not looking for a track car in the Challenger.
I LOVE Fords & Shelbys of the 60’s. Not so much now, because they’ve lost the “retro look” that I grew to love as a kid.
Hell, I owned a 1969 GT 350 and a CSX Shelby Cobra with an All-Aluminum 427.
I understand that body styles change with time and advances in technology. But you know what? Dodge was able to still maintain that “look” for the most part and added an new generation of tech to the entirety of the car.
Will the Challenger beat a Camaro LZ1 at the track? I highly doubt it.
Will it blow the doors off a GT500? Not quite.
Will it put a smile on my face every time I’m standing on the outside, looking at it, or inside, driving it? ABSOLUTELY!
The car may the most retro but Yet the Dodge is #3 in sale by a wide margin.
Scott, you may very well be right. But, the general consensus (i.e. sales figures) will not be the determining factor in my decision to purchase a Hellcat.
That is true some travel the road less traveled.
But if I were the one responsible for sales I would much rather have the me Mustang or coming Camaro in my line up. They are the complete package.
There is more to life than doing burn outs. Hell I can shut off the launch control in my HHR SS and turn thr18’s into smoke all day but what is the point ?
You knuckleheads don’t get it; beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Like what you like and let the other guy like what he likes. But if sales are the guide you use to buy your car, have fun with your Camry.
This is apples to apples knuckle dragger. We are talking three cars in class and the ones which are doing a better job with the public and in the market.
But someone has to marry the fat ugly girls too. Thanks to all the Dodge owners taking one for the team. LOL!
Anyone can like what they want but the better cars always stand out and it is not the out dated over weight Dodge based on even older Benz parts.
Sorry if I disagree but I expect more car than what they delivered. Right now they are discounting LX platforms like a fire sale. My In Laws just got a new 300 $10K off sticker. It made it a great buy but not a better car.
Dodge and Chrysler cars are in trouble. The Dart is doing just ok and the 200’s best comment in test has been it is a lot better than the old one. While the Malibu is an under performer GM is already replacing it soon as they knew it was lacking since it was a left over pre bail out car. The 200 is what it is.
You watch as If things do not improve in 5 years you may be left with only Jeep and Ram as they are the only things making money there.
Note there is No Dodge in Ram any longer as if and when it goes south it will be so much easier to keep the trucks on the market with less stigma.
Fiat is not flush with money and they will only lose money for so long before the plug is pulled. I hope the can turn things around but they have a lot of work to do yet and no guarantee it will work.
You may not like hearing this but watch and you will see. I am not the only one making this call.
“But if I were the one responsible for sales I would much rather have the me Mustang or coming Camaro in my line up. They are the complete package.”
Personally the Dodge to me is the complete package, you get the horsepower and an actual usable backseat unlike the Camero and the Mustang. But I like all three.
Dodge doesn’t even need to use DI to get their v6 engines to 300+ HP… but GM has to use DI.
Too bad all the negative voters here are not buying Chrysler as they would have sold some cars.
Anyone see the latest Hail Mary of a Supercharged V10 in the Viper. Too bad that will not solve what is really wrong. I hate to see it but they may lose the Viper since it is not progressing as fast as the C7 is in refinement.
With Ferrari in house Fiat needs to let Ferrari put their hands on that car or they will lose it. But then again does Fiat really car if it live another 5 years?
Be wary this is not Chrysler anymore this is FIat and that may change things in ways you may not like.
I agree the hellcat is badass but I don’t think fiat is going to save dodge because of its American heritage. I own A CTS-V I shopped around and It really was the most well rounded American car. It would lose in a drag race to the hellcat But it can keep up with just about anything on a track and it feels like a luxury car the other 90% of the time. As a person who loves America in general it pains me to see dodge lose in most categories except A straight line.
fact 1
average driver not skilled enough to ring out consistent fast times with hellcat, due to extra skill set required. the diff in times in 8 etc between cam, stang, HC is at best negligible. Draw
fact 2
transporting 4 grown men in comfort & speed Hellcat hands down
fact 3
Hellcat more German American Engineering than Fiat, do some reading.