As we bid farewell to Dodge’s muscle automobile twins, the Challenger and Charger, a lot of the consideration has gone to the Hellcat-powered variants and rightly so. The Hellcat engine is without doubt one of the most spectacular engines ever put right into a manufacturing automobile. However the usual Hemi engine is not any slouch. Dodge delivered to us a Tremendous Bee Particular Version, one other of Dodge’s Final Name automobiles, with the usual Hemi engine underneath the hood and we have been capable of take pleasure in it one last time whereas evaluating it to the Hellcat engine.
Our Tremendous Bee confirmed up within the extra enticing of two Tremendous Bee colours: B5 Blue, one other colour resurrected from the traditional muscle automobile palette of the early 1970’s. Tremendous Bee badges adorned the flanks and grille of the automobile, whereas applique’s have been set upon the hood and the rear fenders. The look was traditional muscle automobile throwback and Dodge even threw in one other enjoyable muscle automobile attribute: hood pins. Parked in our lot, the Tremendous Bee seemed prefer it wished to go play, bully some Prius’, and perhaps goad some Mustang Shelby Cobras into operating for pink slips.
Inside was black leather-based and alcantara – fairly monochromatic however tastefully finished and comfy. The controls have been easy and easy to make use of. Seats have been supportive and comfy; nicely bolstered however not tough to get into and out of. Adjustable for nearly each physique dimension and form. The seats have been heated and ventilated.
Beneath the hood was Dodge’s venerable 6.4L Hemi V8, which roars like a lion and chases down every thing that dares threaten it. Big quantities of horsepower and torque, as you’ll be able to think about. The ability is transferred via an 8-speed computerized to the rear wheels, wrapped in drag racing tires that caught like glue to the asphalt and turned 0-60 occasions of simply over 4 seconds. Whereas not as highly effective or as quick because it’s Hellcat brethren, it appeared simpler to utilize the ability when driving. The paddle shifters labored with the engine fairly nicely, whereas within the Hellcat automobiles it’s straightforward to get caught up within the acceleration and also you neglect to shift and simply bang towards the rev limiter. The Tremendous Bee had a great steadiness of energy.
The suspension, whereas not the adjustable sort, was agency and composed however very forgiving. I’d have preferred a bit firmer setup however I used to be joyful sufficient with it. Dodge discovered a contented medium that ought to hold almost everybody joyful. They name it “drag-oriented” suspension so I assume it’s not precisely meant for twisty roads but it surely did simply effective on them.
The brakes have been Brembo 4-piston calipers straddling massive brake rotors. They stopped the automobile amazingly quick and by no means light, which wasn’t sudden since we didn’t push it on the observe or something whereas we had it. However they have been there after we wanted them they usually did amazingly nicely at scrubbing off pace quick. Very confidence inspiring.
We bought loads of consideration within the Tremendous Bee. I believe the enjoyable B5 blue paint and Tremendous Bee design cues bought folks’s consideration.
EPA mileage was presupposed to be 15 within the metropolis and 24 on the freeway for a median of 18mpg. I doubt we bought that, as usually as we have been stomping on the gasoline peddle, however there’s extra to automobiles that mileage. Can I get an “amen”?
Our Tremendous Bee stickered at $63,985, which we didn’t suppose was unhealthy given all of the expertise, efficiency, and creature comforts it got here with. Base worth was solely $50k.
As stock of Dodge muscle automobiles dwindles, Dodge has arrange a particular web site, accessible from their homepage, that can assist you discover the Dodge muscle automobile of your goals. That is Final Name they usually don’t need you to be denied.
We’ve tried a number of completely different fashions of the Charger through the years and have beloved each one in every of them. We’re unhappy to see it go, however we’ll take pleasure in loads of fond reminiscences of burnouts and excessive pace runs. Thanks, Dodge, for making a number of the coolest automobiles on the planet and reigniting our love with Detroit muscle. Godspeed.
