The GT350’s V8 produces 526 horsepower, while the Charger Hellcat’s 707.
The GT350’s flat-plane crank V8 of 5.2-liters produces 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. This is a small amount compared to the Charger SRT Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb.ft. The Charger is heavier at 800 pounds, but that’s not enough to compensate for its sheer power.
Performance is different and results down the drag strip can be predicted. It’s actually a much closer race than you might think. Although it looks like the Charger crossed the finish line before the tree turns yellow, it was not. The Mustang ran 117.38 miles an hour and crossed the quarter-mile finish in 12.27 seconds. The Charger was faster, crossing the finish line at 121.72 mph in 11.72 seconds.
These results are not surprising. The Charger has more power, but not enough to make the Mustang more suitable for drag racing. This is a great example of the differences between performance cars. These supercars are insanely powerful and can do one thing very well: go fast. In the opposite corner are performance cars that can deliver the fastest laps at the track.
Two different approaches are required to address these differences. Although the Charger Hellcat is capable of lapping the track, the Mustang could run circles around it. Before the Charger could match the Mustang, it would have to be on a diet. The track does not require a lot of power. The track car’s power is optimized to maximize its efficiency. Excessive power can cause tire wear and damage at the exit. You don’t need 800 horsepower to drive a car, unless you are the Charger Hellcat.