MOPAR mania, part 3: Hot Wheels 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, alongside Hot Wheels 2011 Charger R/T and Matchbox 2006 and 2011 Charger R/T Police

The biggest introduction for me in 2016 is the Hot Wheels version of the Dodge Charger based on the SRT Hellcat that was introduced in the Challenger in last year's Hot Wheels line.  Raw performance in a 4-door sedan with a smoother look to it.  Best Charger model yet?  Let's see how it compares to the earlier Hot Wheels 2011 R/T, the Challenger Hellcat, and the Matchbox 2006 R/T and 2011 Police versions.

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Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

The new 2015 Charger sedan gets a much-needed improvement over the previous version with smoother lines that mimmick the Dodge Dart.  Add to that the new SRT Hellcat model with the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 that produces 707 hp. and 650 Ib-ft. of torque through an eight-speed automatic only.  This Hot Wheels version follows the same red paint job with blacked-out 5-spoke wheels and side graphics as in the Challenger last year, but adds dual hood stripes with SRT logo.  The mean kitty is the only indicator that this is a Hellcat as the name is forbidden around the casting, same for the Challenger.  The front has rounder headlights with LED running lamps and projector lamps with integrated signal lights like the Dart.  The large horseshoe grille is finally gone, replaced with a smaller grille that is even smaller on SRT and Scat Pack models with SRT logo near left headlight and a larger lower grille.  Because of the extra cooling needed, foglights are not available on the Hellcat models.  The hood gains air scoop and heat extractors similar to the ones found on the SRT Viper.

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The sides are more smoother and still has the side scallops, though less visible.  The rear is spruced up with a rear spoiler that is more functional than the 2011 model, while the taillights are now wrapped around the corners and the racetrack LED lights are a smooth neon look instead of individual dots, dual exhausts that are large and round, and side bumper vents to enhance the look.  Compared to the 2011 Charger it looks much more better and streamlined.  The interior is the same as before with the same gauges and dashboard layout with touch screen in the center and roomy seating for five.  The changes include the 3-spoke SRT wheel with flat bottom, digital center in the gauge cluster, revised front buckets that are more supportive, and a T-shifter that engages more better than the previous toggle T-shifter in previous Chrysler's.

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2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Police version

The base underneath shows off little detail and difference compared to the 2011 Charger.  Introduced in 2011 the new Charger R/T was Hot Wheels first stock Charger R/T and not cartoonish like the SRT8 that was introduced in 2007.  The front has a separate and detailed truck grille that is part of the interior piece and sticks out, but looks out-of-place with headlights that still recall the previous-generation model.  The lower bumper has foglights and a smaller lower grille.  The hood has the dual scallops and the side scallops that recall the 1968-1970 Dodge Charger's (Hot Wheels released the 1970 Charger, resembling the one in the Fast and Furious movie, also in 2011).  The flat rear has the racetrack lights that recall the 1969-1970 Dodge Charger, a typical rear-spoiler, and dual exhausts in square cutouts.  The sunroof shows off to the interior, which is a great improvement over the previous-generation with a rounded look, soft-touch materials, touch screen infortainment system, and a smaller 3-spoke steering wheel.  So far, this casting has kept the hood and side tampos similar to the 2011 release, which came in red, green mystery baggies, gold multi-pack, and this recent metallic orange found in a special 4-car set and the color is one of the best.  Others include an Aurora Fire Department version in 2011 and a Then and Now with a 1969 Charger in 2013.

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In 2013 after a year delay the Matchbox version finally comes out as a permanent police car.  The police car is a different route than the earlier 2006 version that, even with police versions, still was based on the stock R/T model.  The front grille and headlights are joined by the push bumper with strobe lights.  The sides add details that include exterior mirrors, roof strobe lights, and police logo's on the doors.  The rear has a cleaner look with no rear spoiler, racetrack taillights, and lower bumper with dual exhausts.  The exterior look is more rounded and detailed than the Hot Wheels version.  The interior is the same except for the relocation of the shifter to the steering column, basic radio setting, and a laptop closer to the passenger seat, and a rear window divider bar.  So far, the police car has been a success with white, then black with Boone County Sheriff in North Dakota (the police chief there is a Matchbox collector), and recently a flat black and blue color.  In all this Matchbox Charger Police casting fits very well in the Matchbox line.

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Matchbox 2006 Dodge Charger R/T

It all begins during a time when Matchbox was starting a resurgence from the bland and awful Hero City-era to the fine and realistic Golden-era, and it all starts with the 2006 Dodge Charger R/T.  Not one of the first Charger replica's to hit the market, this Matchbox casting was the finest at best.  The metallic red version was a gem, and featured details that include detailed projector beam headlights, silver cross-hair grille, and lower bumper with foglights.  The sides have a simple four-door layout with exterior mirrors, while the rear has detailed taillights, badges, and the dual exhausts that really sticks out with a chrome base.  The base is the downer part as it's just a bunch of bars laid out.  The interior has the detailed 4-spoke steering wheel, round gauges, center stack, front and rear seats, and a center console.  The dashboard does have a nasty lower gap in the center that is the result of the dashboard and lower interior piece mating together.

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If that's not enough the Charger was joined by the Magnum Police wagon later in 2015.  After one last recolor in dark blue  in 2006 and a lime green with black hood and rear valence panel (recalling the Daytona package) in 2007 the Charger switch places with the Magnum to become a police officer.  Problem is, it never was designed to be a police car nor did the car ever have roof lights or a push bumper at the front.  Still, it carried on the police duty until a suitable replacement appeared in 2013.

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The Charger has come a long way from perfecting it's image from a few of its flaws.  From the exterior styling to the interior it has come a long way.  Finally in 2015 with the SRT Hellcat the Charger finally gets the right amount of proper design looks, the right amount of interior quality, and one heck of an extra dose of power as well.  Did I mention that the Charger's aerodynamic profile and better weight distribution means that the Charger has a higher top speed rating than the Challenger Hellcat!  Now that's amazing!

Opps!

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Update 12/19/17:  The Hot Wheels Dodge Charger has been through a lot of impressive recolors, from the red and white in 2016 to this silver for 2018.  The wheels are now gray instead of blacked-out and the graphics are slightly different, but the look of the Charger Hellcat is still there.  Adding detailing also helps as well: