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Tesla Model S P85D vs. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Rematch: There’s Been Some Practicin’...

Discussion in 'News' started by Gearhead Central, Apr 8, 2015.

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  1. Gearhead Central

    Gearhead Central Automotive news feeds

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    [​IMG]

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    A few months ago, a video showing the 707-hp Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat being spanked by the all-electric Tesla Model S P85D at the drag strip came out. The internet nearly broke with the pro-Hellcat, anti-Hellcat comments-section battles that ensued. As we pointed out, the Hellcat clearly suffered from a terrible launch, pitifully spinning its tires through most of the quarter-mile. The Tesla? Well, it ran an 11.6-second quarter at 114.6 mph—it’s got 691 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and produces peak torque at zero rpm. Predictably, video soon surfaced showing the Hellcat guy running the quarter in the 10-second range thanks to a set of drag radials and an improved launch technique. More predictably, we now have a video of the Hellcat re-matching the Tesla, which we’ve embedded below for your comments-section fuel.

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    So who wins? The Hellcat, but note how the Dodge is no longer stock. Sure, it ran an 11.08 at 125.92 mph with the P85D following just behind with a 11.92 at 112.11 mph. But that was with Nitto NT555R drag radial tires, not the stock Pirelli PZeros. The Nitto rubber is barely wider than stock (305-section vs. 275-section), but remember that adding tire width doesn’t increase traction, increasing the contact patch does. Our guess is that while the Nitto rubber is possibly grippier than the PZero, the real difference in the driver’s launch performance came by way of lowered rear tire pressures, which would slap more rubber on the pavement—and some practice not doing what he did in the first video, which was to stand on the throttle and route all 707 horsepower to the rear wheels without finesse.

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    Consider the jury out on whether this Dodge-vs.-Tesla score has really been settled, because on stock tires, the best quarter-mile time our expert testers could extract from the Challenger Hellcat on an unprepped surface (i.e. not a drag strip—our test facility simulates real, normal road) was a 11.7-second run at 126 mph in the automatic-equipped model.

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    Gearhead Central, Apr 8, 2015
    #1
  2. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    That was much closer then you would think it would be.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 8, 2015
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  3. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    So now Dodge should offer those tires as part of a package. Then people can feel like they are driving a "Tesla-spanker."
     
    Andrew B., Apr 8, 2015
    #3
    Flexin likes this.
  4. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    :roflmao: "Now check this out sir. This is the new 707 hp Hellcat. She is a beast. Now if you want to take on electric cars we have an optional tire package for $1200 and we will even throw in an air freshener."

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 8, 2015
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  5. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    Andrew B., Apr 8, 2015
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  6. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    Yes I did read about that. There was a post about that in the news section. That is dirty. The customer could track down another dealer for that car but they string them along. What if they miss on on one all together? If that happens, you didn't make that sale (so you wouldn't have lost anything finding a dealer for them that does have one) and you might have just lost a customer for life. What if that is a two car family? That is two deals you lost. If they are buying a Hellcat it could be a two or three car family. Then if they have kids. It isn't worth screwing over customers like that.

    On the other hand I'm sure it is tough for the dealers that might have a few people lined up and not being able to get their hands on enough cars to sell. None of that is a reason to pull stunts like that though.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 8, 2015
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  7. Andrew B.

    Andrew B. Member

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    There is really no upside for the dealer doing this. OTOH, it could be inexperienced sales reps, just trying to make a sale and figuring it will all sort itself out. The last time I went cars shopping I met more than one sales rep who didn't even understand the model lineups of the new cars they were selling.
     
    Andrew B., Apr 9, 2015
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  8. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I met some bad ones and really good ones. Here is a thread on the bad ones. http://gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/worst-experience-when-buying-a-car.8065/#post-25560

    I agree on there being no up side. Even if there was a inexperienced rep that pulled the stunt, someone above that sales rep or in another department should see that they are taking in more orders then they can fill. I know a guy that ordered a Jeep Cherokee SRT. It was going to take a while to come in. Maybe 6-8 weeks. He went in a few weeks later to find out when it would be in and the sales guy didn't have it ordered. I forget his excuse. So he asked him to order it. Came back in and same story. I think that happened 3 times or so. Then another dealer gave him a great deal on a Denali so he wouldn't buy from that dealer.

    I'm not sure what the sales guy was doing. Maybe it was a supply issue like the Hellcat and he wanted to string him along till there was some available. That is just poor business.

    James
     
    Flexin, Apr 10, 2015
    #8
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