Photos & Words: Evan M. Yates
Exterior: Everything about the 392 SRT Charger personifies what a new age muscle car should be. The overall stature is menacing from every angle, especially the front. Head-on, this radical ride looks as if it wants to hunt you down and eat your offspring. The hood is almost identical to the Hellcat’s minus a couple vents but on the street, it has virtually the same effect on onlookers. The dark-tinted headlights come alive upon ignition as the C-shaped LED lights illuminate. Muscular side skirts, a rear bumper with custom cut outs and the slim line spoiler all further enhance the creatine-infused appeal. The color that coats this charming Charger, Redline Red, is absolutely perfect for a vehicle, yet it may put a bull’s-eye on your back. The 20-inch forged SRT wheels wrapped in 275/40/20 Pirelli summer rubber are a perfect fit for the wheel wells and are worthy of NOT being upgraded.
Interior: Red cars do not need red interiors. With that in mind, the red perforated Alcantara suede Napa leather SRT performance seats are pretty damn cool in this Charger. The front seats are also heated and ventilated which not only justify the price of the car but add that bit of luxury that performance sedan owners crave. I could certainly do without the red painted plastic on the doors that would have been fine in black, but otherwise the Charger SRT 392 has a very attractive interior.
A/V: The Uconnect system with the 8.4-inch LCD monitor is one of my favorite display units regardless of manufacturer across the board. It’s big, bright and easy to operate. On this particular model, the SRT Performance Pages section is definitely one of my favorites to play around with. The SRT Performance Pages feature is certainly more than a gimmick as it truly allows you to collect real-time performance data and dial in your car just the way you like. Our test car also came equipped with the Technology group with blind spot and cross path detection, forward collision warning and lane departure warning – all quite helpful for a vehicle of this size. And top of all the gadgets, this Charger jams thanks to a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system complete with subwoofer for the low tones.
Performance: The 2016 Charger SRT 392 is an absolute torque monster. The 6.4 liter V8 pumps out 485 horses and perhaps more importantly, 475 lb-ft of torque which will snap your head back in an instant. Having reviewed a Challenger Hellcat in 2014 as a reference point, the similarities and differences between it and the 392 prove that you may not ever need 707 horsepower. Although a bit tamer than it’s more powerful sibling, the 392 proves you can still have fun and sling the massive car around like a toy with sub-500 horses. Matter of fact, the 2016 Charger SRT 392 may just have the perfect amount of power for such a vehicle. It can certainly get you in trouble but probably won’t get you killed. To make sure you can get this powerful vehicle to a halt massive Brembo six-piston high performance brakes come equipped as well.
Final Verdict: The new 2016 Charger SRT 392 is worthy every penny. It has all the creature comforts you could ever desire, ability to transport four or five people comfortably with a loaded trunk and can seriously haul some tail at a moment’s notice. Dodge just may have perfected the American muscle sedan.
Damage: $57,870.00
Power: 485 hp, 475 ft lb
0-60: 4.3 sec
Gas Cash: 17 MPG (combined)
