VIDEO: Dodge EV vs. Dodge Challenger
Click above to watch video after the jump
A few days ago we showed you some pics of the Dodge EV concept at a local car show in Southern California. It appears that the Dodge-branded, battery-powered Lotus Europa made a few other stops in the area as well, one of which was at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Alongside the EV, the Dodge boys were displaying, among other things, a Challenger SRT-8. Well, one thing led to another and before long a battle between '60s retro muscle and modern electric power was underway. Lucky for us, someone was there with a video camera to capture the fraternal pissing match. This impromptu drag race doesn't give us any clear indication of times, but you can definitely see the EV's advantage of light weight and instant-on torque from a stop. The concept electric vehicle jumps ahead at the start, but the Challenger hangs on. Just when the big HEMI seems to be getting a full head of steam, however, they run out of space. We've embedded the video for you after jump. Check it out and let us know how you think this battle would play out on a real 1/4 mile drag strip.
Gallery: Dodge EV in the wild
[Source: ALLPAR]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 3:10PM (11/18/2008)
LMAO
hella fast.
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Jeff 9:25PM (11/18/2008)
mmmm, the challenger breaking the tires going into 2nd is awesome
Matthew 3:11PM (11/18/2008)
Oh man I can't wait for that Dodge EV to come out, I will be first in line. Man that thing has power. That can only mean that the Caravan EV must move quite smartly off the line as well, and with the range of over 400 miles, it would be perfect for my wife too. Our 2002 Prius is nice, but its slow unless floored where the electric motor boots the gas motor in the butt to get moving, especially for passing power! I really hope good ol chrysler survives long enough to replace our beloved 2002 Neon as well with a Caravan EV and my Prius with that Dodge EV! Exciting times!!!
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retsel 3:13PM (11/18/2008)
wow...
Why does it seem that the Challenger is holding back...
and why dont they put the viper body on that thing...
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Torrent 3:21PM (11/18/2008)
after watching it about 17 times it kinda looked like the Challenger hit the brakes halfway through the race....
JD 3:22PM (11/18/2008)
Watch the second run. Off the line, he definitely wasnt holding back. Broke em loose shifting into second, and you could hear that HEMI wasnt taking it easy. They were neck and neck till the Chally hit third gear and backed off.
retsel 3:25PM (11/18/2008)
yeah... the rate of acceleration of the challenger just dropped off... he backed of... man even if i know it would have been staged... i would have toasted that EV if i could...
Mobius_1 3:16PM (11/18/2008)
Very impressive. Faster than a Challenger SRT8 in a drag race is not something many cars can claim.
Chrysler, bring that EV on!
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Illegal Machine 3:38PM (11/18/2008)
Actually, the SRT-8 Challenger is the slowest SRT-8 around. They rarely trap higher than 103, and a mid to high 13 seems the best it can do.
Now, if that IS a 6 speed, you can bet its a little quicker than the current disappointing model.
Mike E. 4:27PM (11/18/2008)
Edmunds tested the SRT-8 Challenger at the strip and trapped 107.5mph. Motor Trend tested the SRT-8 and trapped 108.3mph for the auto, 108.4 for the stick. So what's this 103mph nonsense???
bob 3:27PM (11/18/2008)
And to think, racing without loud engine noises to attract The Law's attention. ;)
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ZeGerman 3:30PM (11/18/2008)
This Challenger has a manual transmission. And since SRT-8s do not come with sticks, it is either a special SRT-8, or it is (more likely) a less powerful R/T.
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Illegal Machine 3:39PM (11/18/2008)
The Challenger SRT-8's are going to have a 6-Speed next year. Allpar already tested one.
matt 4:21PM (11/18/2008)
You can get a 6-speed srt-8 challenger
Jarvis 3:40PM (11/18/2008)
Actually the 2009 model SRT's have the manual 6-speed as an option. My friend's is being delivered mid-January.
John 4:00PM (11/18/2008)
The 6-spd Challengers in both SRT and R/T trim are already out and have been for about a month. My dealership was delivered our first in mid-October. We have 3 currently on the lot, 2 SRT's and 1 R/T.
tuna 3:36PM (11/18/2008)
I wonder what would've happened if Chrysler had not started with someone else's car in building this EV.
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thomas 6:00PM (11/18/2008)
it probably would not have been built as quickly as it was....
don't forget that the tesla roadster is a stretched elise
lotuses seem to be a popular choice... makes sense with their attention to weight
tuna 6:05PM (11/18/2008)
I know the Tesla was based on the Elise. One would have to be a complete idiot to not see the similarities. Point is, from a small up-start like Tesla, I expect it. For a large company like Chrysler, and there history in building cars, it has the effect of sending out a message that they couldn't do it on their own or didn't believe they could.
thomas 6:15PM (11/18/2008)
chrysler doesnt exactly have a pile of mid engine sports cars lying around to toy with. its no secret theyre in financial trouble. they need to save money wherever they can. so if they can pull a lotus europa off the shelf, gut it and throw in a bunch of batteries and an electric motor and call it a dodge... they will. and they did. also, i dont think the average american even knows what a lotus europa is.
i wouldnt even see a problem if dodge decided to sell the car exactly as is.... a car thats been designed and built overseas and sold under an american brand is hardly something new.