Chrysler Touts Powertrain Lineup for Dodge Challenger

Chrysler Group LLC says the broad range of engine options in the 2015 Dodge Challenger coupe should enhance the performance image of the iconic muscle car, which will go on sale in a few months.

The company forecasts 40% growth over the next few years for the U.S. market's specialty high-performance segment, in which the Challenge competes.

The engines offered in the new Challenge lineup starts with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is rated at 305 hp. Next is the 375-hp Hemi V-8. Topping the powertrain options are two SRT models: a base 485-hp Hemi V-8 and a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat rated at 707 hp.

Standard on all engines is Chrysler's new 8-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual gearbox is optional on all V-8 powerplants.

The 8-speed automatic is credited with delivering federal highway fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg for the Hellcat V-8, 25 mpg for the 485-hp V-8 and 30 mpg for the base V-6. Thus the Hellcat engine gets about two-thirds the highway fuel efficiency of the Challenger's smallest engine but with double the power output.

All bets are off at full throttle, however. Under those conditions, Hellcat fuel consumption drops to about 2 mpg as the supercharged engine sucks fuel through a half-inch-diameter fuel line at a rate of 1.5 gallons per minute. At its speed-limited 200 mph top end, the engine would empty the fuel tank in 13 minutes.

The new Challenger chassis gets a five-link rear suspension that can be tuned with an array of shock absorber and bushing options. Electronic stability control and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential aid yaw control. Other mechanical changes include a rack-mounted electric steering system for all but the Hellcat SRT V-8, which gets hydraulic assist.