Test Drive
Posted: 25 Oct 2011 14:59So last night I got to test drive a 2011 Green With Envy 392 Hemi Challenger with a 6-speed manual transmission. 
It was amazing! I had test drove an R/T a few months back and was a bit disappointed due to a lack of power and acceleration, but the ride was nice and smooth. The 392 Hemi steps up the performance to where I had expected. At around 2500-3000 RPM's the challenger really starts to accelerate and gets out of its own way. Unfortunately I did not get to test out the cornering capabilities or add new lines to the road due to slightly wet roads, and fear that I would scare the salesman in the back seat, but the ride was smooth and straight. The exhaust was a Mopar Performance exhaust, a much needed upgrade to the car, which makes the car audible and gives the sound all Challengers and Chargers should have. The dealership had also installed a Mopar Performance intake, no comments due to no comparison.
The interior was comfortable with the sportier seats that seem to hug you a bit. The dealer added Hurst shifter was comfortable grip, but seemed like it was a little too high. All the buttons and knobs were all a comfortable distance from the driver. My only complaint is that the steering wheel is a little too close to the gauges, and as a result its a little difficult to read half of the fuel gauge, and half of the temperature/voltage gauges. I would love to see the engineers sink the gauges into the dash a little bit further, or pull the steering wheel away a little bit. Or possibly reposition the gauges to be more retro R/T style, or even to look more like the concept Challenger.
I was surprised that I was allowed to test drive this Challenger because the salesman said they usually like to get deposits on the SRT models before they allow someone to test drive them. He felt my credentials (occasional road course racing) were good enough to allow me to test drive it. Im sure if you show up at a dealership with a 70-74 Challenger they would have no problem letting you test drive a new SRT without a deposit.
I know I will be purchasing an SRT as soon as I get rid of some of my debt, and can scrape some money together. Maybe by then Mopar will be offering an SRT with a 426 Hemi. I recommend taking a test drive, even if just to say you did.
It was amazing! I had test drove an R/T a few months back and was a bit disappointed due to a lack of power and acceleration, but the ride was nice and smooth. The 392 Hemi steps up the performance to where I had expected. At around 2500-3000 RPM's the challenger really starts to accelerate and gets out of its own way. Unfortunately I did not get to test out the cornering capabilities or add new lines to the road due to slightly wet roads, and fear that I would scare the salesman in the back seat, but the ride was smooth and straight. The exhaust was a Mopar Performance exhaust, a much needed upgrade to the car, which makes the car audible and gives the sound all Challengers and Chargers should have. The dealership had also installed a Mopar Performance intake, no comments due to no comparison. The interior was comfortable with the sportier seats that seem to hug you a bit. The dealer added Hurst shifter was comfortable grip, but seemed like it was a little too high. All the buttons and knobs were all a comfortable distance from the driver. My only complaint is that the steering wheel is a little too close to the gauges, and as a result its a little difficult to read half of the fuel gauge, and half of the temperature/voltage gauges. I would love to see the engineers sink the gauges into the dash a little bit further, or pull the steering wheel away a little bit. Or possibly reposition the gauges to be more retro R/T style, or even to look more like the concept Challenger.
I was surprised that I was allowed to test drive this Challenger because the salesman said they usually like to get deposits on the SRT models before they allow someone to test drive them. He felt my credentials (occasional road course racing) were good enough to allow me to test drive it. Im sure if you show up at a dealership with a 70-74 Challenger they would have no problem letting you test drive a new SRT without a deposit.
I know I will be purchasing an SRT as soon as I get rid of some of my debt, and can scrape some money together. Maybe by then Mopar will be offering an SRT with a 426 Hemi. I recommend taking a test drive, even if just to say you did.