1970 Dodge Challenger on 2040-cars

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Defiance Dodge Charger, saving Earth from aliens isn't clean work [w/video]

You'll be forgiven for not having heard about the TV show Defiance - it actually hasn't aired its first episode yet. The new science fiction show about an alien war against Earth in the near future seems like a perfect fit for the SyFy channel, and, apparently one that Dodge saw as a slick marketing opportunity for its Charger sedan.
Here in Chicago, Dodge has given a large corner of its show stand to the Defiance Charger, a car that won't be skipped by any Mad Max fans in attendance at this year's show. The Charger boasts one hell of a gnarly patina under a confusingly welded cage of tube steel, as well as window bars, a grille guard in front, and big, knobby truck tires. There aren't any obvious guns or turrets on the outside of the vehicle, so we can only hope that the characters driving it go well-armed.
Look for the Charger to make its star turn in Defiance when the series premieres on SyFy on April 15 at 9:00 PM EST. Also, there's said to be a Defiance video game in the works, too, so you may get a chance to steer the burly Dodge for yourself. Find a trailer for the show, below, as well.

Dodge Challenger spied exercising supercharged Hellcat Hemi V8

One of the prime complaints against the Dodge Challenger is that, even in SRT8 guise, its 470 horsepower is responsible for hauling over 4,200 pounds of vehicle. For comparison, the 420 hp in the Ford Mustang GT only has to deal with 3,618 lbs. Things only get worse from there, as the higher-performance variants of both the Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro are far more powerful than an SRT8 without adding on much heft.
So what is Chrysler to do? The correct answer is add a whole lot more grunt to its hefty two-door and even the odds. That's where the all-new Hellcat engine comes into play. We reported on this engine in May, and suggested that the Hellcat, a supercharged powerplant based on a 6.4-liter V8, would easily generate 500 to 570 hp and could likely arrive boasting more than 600 ponies.
Chrysler's ace in its sleeve has now been spied testing, with a number of Hellcat-equipped Challengers running the potent new engine both in more urbanized areas and under the sun of Death Valley. The hoods on these testers have been raised to accommodate the engine, and that camouflage over the fascias of these prototypes is there to hide a larger air intake. We also note what appears to be a new split grille under wraps. As for power output, our spies are now suggesting a Viper-equalling 640 hp from the Hellcat-equipped cars.

It ain't easy keeping a Hellcat steady at 170 mph on ice

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat you see hit the ice at Arsunda Speed Weekend in Sweden, over two hours north of Stockholm. It's said to be bone stock, save for the studded tires that help it grip on ice. But it apparently takes more than some steel studs and a lead foot to keep it pointed the right way. Just look at how much driver Alx Danielsson has to saw at the wheel to keep the Hellcat from veering off course. Fortunately he seems to have the chops to do so, being not only a native of Sweden (and therefor imbued from birth with otherworldly abilities to drive on ice) but also having won the highly competitive Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship back in 2006. In the end Danielsson hit a top speed in excess of 170 miles per hour, touted as some sort of record, however unofficial (and specific to Dodge Challengers). That's a fair bit shy of the 205 mph that Bentley achieved in the Continental Supersports, but while that model had slightly less power than the Hellcat, it did have the benefit of all-wheel drive – something that could make all the difference in these kinds of slippery conditions. Related Video: