The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Drive Modes Offer High Tech Handling Customization

In order to help drivers of the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT make the most of the 485-600 horsepower, the Chrysler Group has included a new Drive Mode system that adjusts a variety of parameters including the suspension, the shift points, the traction control, the stability control and more – allowing the driver to make adjustments to fit his or her style and abilities.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models will both come with the Drive Mode system. This system adjusts the horsepower output, transmission shift speeds, steering (Challenger SRT 392 only), paddle shifters (automatic transmission only), traction control and suspension settings with the choice of Default, Sport, Track or Custom modes.

-The Transmission setting of the new SRT Challenger can be set to Street, Sport or Track with Track offering the fastest and hardest shifts, but also reducing “comfort” by the greatest amount. When you have your grandma in the car, you will likely want the automatic transmission set to Street...unless you want to snap her neck with the Track mode. As you might have guessed, Sport is a balance of hard shifts and some comfort so this won’t break any necks, but it will get to the next gear more quickly and a bit harder than Street mode.

-In the non-Hellcat SRT Challenger, the steering system becomes tighter and provides more feedback in Track mode but oddly, this feature isn’t offered with the Hellcat. The Hellcat Challenger is likely standard with the most acute steering program possible. Chrysler hasn’t offered specifics on this portion thus far, but I would expect that the steering would have something like a Sport and Track setting – possibly with a third option added in for Comfort.

-Those 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT and SRT Hellcat coupes equipped with the new 8-speed automatic transmission will get a set of paddle shifters and the driver has the option to turn them on or off. The current Charger and Grand Cherokee have a beautiful paddle shift system and I expect that the system in the 2015 Challenger will be even better.

-The Traction Control system of the 2015 Challenger SRT and SRT Hellcat also have a Street, Sport and Track mode and, like the Transmission settings, the Track mode offers the best performance (for those who know what they are doing) with the least input from both the traction and stability control systems. Hopefully there is a full-off for the traction control so that drivers can do massive burnouts like the one shown above.

-The current Dodge Challenger SRT has a dual mode suspension setup that allows the driver to select between Sport and Track. Sport mode is more of a street setup with less road handling but better ride quality. Track mode stiffens up the suspension for the best handling possible, but the ride quality as much more harsh. I would expect the same pair of options for the 2015 Challenger SRT.

The SRT features on the current SRT models require you to use the large infotainment screen to adjust the drive modes, which can be inconvenient when you are in a hurry. For 2015, the SRT Challenger will have an SRT button on the switch panel at the bottom of the center stack for quick and easy access, but for those who prefer the touch screen controls, you will find a Drive Modes button in the SRT & Apps menu as well as in the Performance Pages. Those drivers who do not like the feel of the preset Drive Modes can opt for the Custom setting, which allows them to pick each individual setting within the preset Drive Mode features.

While this system doesn’t technically make the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT perform any better, the adjustability of the transmission, steering, suspension and traction/stability control systems allows the engineers to tune one group of setting very aggressively for optimal performance while the Street settings allow for a much smoother, more comfortable ride – allowing for the best of both worlds from your brawny Mopar muscle car.