Report: Why the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat won’t get a manual

With the new 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat siblings out, there are still a few question surrounding the Charger, which has yet to be launched.

When the Challenger was revealed, Chrysler happily confirmed to be equipping the Challenger with a six-speed Tremec manual transmission, despite having to transfer an insane 707hp to the rear wheels. But more surprisingly, the Challenger is also available with a traditional ZF-sourced torque converting automatic. That said, many wondered if the Charger SRT Hellcat would get a manual as well, since it’s only available with an automatic across the board.

And according to Jalopnik’s Opposite Lock, the Charger SRT Hellcat continues its trend of being auto only. But not only that, Jalopnik also rationalized why the Charger won’t be receiving the six-speed Tremec in SRT Hellcat form, despite it sharing a lot of structural design with the Challenger.

According to user doodon2whls, the Charger was crash tested with floorpans designed to be paired with the automatic transmission only, whereas the Challenger was crash tested with both. Because of this, the Charger would need to be recertified by the US as a crash-safe vehicle with a new transmission (the manual). And this is an expensive and lengthy process in comparison to the minimal return Chrysler would get investing in this change. In other words, it’s just not worth it for them to go through the process, especially since the manual is such a slow and niche seller.

Makes sense.

Source: Jalopnik Opposite Lock