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| 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost |
The Dodge boasts a blend of reduced weight, heightened speed, and amplified power, while the Kia showcases superior initial acceleration.
Evoking visions of a mysterious black vehicle challenging all contenders on a dimly lit, desolate road at night, the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost pays homage to its iconic 1970 predecessor that dominated Detroit's Woodward Avenue. This model is part of Dodge's exclusive Last Call special edition series, positioning it perfectly for a thrilling showdown against the modern Kia EV6 GT in a U-Drag competition, pitting classic muscle against cutting-edge electric performance.
Engineered by Edmunds Cars, the U-Drag is a comprehensive race designed to assess a car's holistic performance. Commencing with a quarter-mile drag race, followed by a U-turn maneuver and a rapid sprint back to the starting line, this challenge evaluates not only straight-line speed but also acceleration, braking, and handling, thus determining the overall performance of the vehicles.
Drawing its foundation from the potent Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the Black Ghost is enhanced with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine generating an impressive 807 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. This power is channeled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelling the Challenger to reach 60 miles per hour in a mere 4.6 seconds, covering the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at a speed of 121.2 mph. Despite its substantial weight of 4,476 pounds, the Challenger remains substantial, swift, and primed for action.
In contrast, the Kia EV6 GT stands as a prime example of modern high-performance electric vehicles. However, it faces a formidable challenge against the Challenger. With a more modest power output of 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque, and a heavier weight of 4,793 pounds, the Kia employs a unique advantage – its immediate torque delivery facilitated by an all-wheel drive system. This means constant power distribution to all four wheels, resulting in instantaneous response.
Ultimately, the instant torque delivery proves to be the pivotal factor. The Kia EV6 GT accelerates to 60 mph in an impressive 3.6 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds at a speed of 120.5 mph. Despite the Challenger Black Ghost's superior trap speed and its ability to corner at 1.21 G, it struggles to bridge the gap rapidly enough.
In an extended drag race scenario, the outcome could differ. With its reduced weight and heightened power, the Challenger Black Ghost gains momentum swiftly before needing to brake. Although the Kia initially pulls ahead, the Challenger progressively closes the distance as the U-turn approaches.
For more thrilling Challenger and Kia EV6 drag race matchups, please refer to the following resources:
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| 2023 Kia EV6 GT Exterior Drift Mode |
