With a bang-for-the-buck calculation, to boot!
The Hellcat moniker is officially way too good to use only on the Dodge Challenger. Enter the Charger SRT Hellcat, which brings the angry-kitty badge and ludicrous 707-hp supercharged V8 to Dodge's four-door sedan—because think of the families, you know?
In the wake of the super-duper Charger's unveiling, we pondered the other mega-horsepower production sedans upon which the Hellcat is ready to pounce like so many unsuspecting, overfed hamsters.
For the purposes of this conversation, we're only including true sedans with enclosed trunks to keep the comparisons with the Hellcat honest. That knocks out five-doors like the Porsche Panamera Turbo S and the Audi RS7, which the Dodge out-powers, anyhow. In addition, we use the base version of each car to establish these power rankings; performance options that increase output—like the BMW M5's Competition package—don't count, though we do mention their availability.
Also note: Different models from a single manufacturer that use the same powertrain are grouped together. This was done in the spirit of inclusion and also to ensure some variety as you scroll—who wants to see three Benzes listed in a row?
Finally, to help parse all that power and guide you toward the best bang for your buck, we calculated the price of performance with a handy "cost per HP" figure.
Enough talking, now—on to the list!
BMW M5 / M6 Gran Coupe: 560 HP
Engine: twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8
Price: $95,850 / $117,950
Cost per HP: $171.16 / $210.63
Only in a world where a 707-hp monster sedan reigns supreme could the mighty M5 and M6 Gran Coupe find themselves last on our list. Both can be ordered with a Competition package that boosts output to 575 horsepower, but equipping them as such would only move them up only one spot. And while the special-edition 30 Jahre M5 makes 600 horsepower, only 30 of those will be sold in America; if you haven't ordered yours yet, it's already gone.
Rolls-Royce Ghost: 563 HP
Engine: twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12
Price: $267,800
Cost per HP: $475.67
Back in the old days, Rolls didn't even list engine output, saying only that their power was "adequate." Such is the tawdry state of affairs today that even Rolls-Royce must stoop to publishing such vulgar information—it's like catching a peek of Helen Mirren in her knickers. Then again, 563 horsepower shows the old dame's still got it going on.
Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4MATIC / E63 AMG S-model 4MATIC / CLS63 AMG S-model 4MATIC: 577 HP
Engine: twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8
Price: $142,375 / $101,525 / $107,425
Cost per HP: $246.75 / $175.95 / $186.18
This trio of blitzin' Benzes flaunts a feisty twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. In the S63 AMG 4MATIC, that hot mill hauls the 4943-pound sedan to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds (a tenth shy of Dodge's claimed Charger Hellcat number) and propels the S63 to a top speed of 187 mph. In the CLS63 AMG S-model 4MATIC, it's good for a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.2 seconds and a Vmax of 186 mph.Let's not forget the E63, which is also ridiculous and is also offered as the world's most badass station wagon, just because Mercedes can.
Bentley Flying Spur W12: 616 HP
Engine: twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12
Price: $221,125
Cost per HP: $358.97
Finally, a little truth in advertising: The Bentley chaps named their four-wheeled version of Downton Abbey the Flying Spur, and fly it does. The sheer magnificence of a car this enormous making this much power and doing it so elegantly is almost soothing—until you mash the gas pedal against the plushly carpeted floor and convert the landscape into a blurry smear.
Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG: 621 HP
Engine: twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12
Price: $224,625
Cost per HP: $361.72
That most folks can't buy their own zeppelin is one of modern society's greatest disappointments. You may, however, consider the truly prodigious S65 AMG one hell of a consolation prize. (If you have close to a quarter-million bucks, that is.) Sure, you won't be able to swoop over your neighborhood and drop small incendiary devices on the annoying microdog next door, but that's almost asking too much, isn't it?
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat: 707 HP
Engine: supercharged 6.2-liter V8
Price (est.): $63,000
Cost per HP (est.): $89.11
Say "Hell, oh, kitty!" Dodge spreads the 707-hp love from the ballsy, bold Challenger SRT Hellcat to this four-door, which flaunts 86 more horsepower than the S65 AMG at a price likely to come in at roughly one-quarter that of the big Benz. It might be a little nuts for Dodge to unleash this weaponized sedan on the general populace, but why should the devil have all the fun? But please, Dodge, for the love of all things sacred, just don't stick this engine in the Charger cop car.
Source: www.roadandtrack.com
