It’s likely that you’ve heard the terms “SRT” and “R/T” when hearing people talk about the Dodge Challenger or Charger. So what do these terms mean? SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology, while R/T stands for Road and Track. They indicate trim levels of certain Dodge vehicles, such as the Challenger, Charger, and Durango. You may now know what SRT and R/T stands for, but how does it actually affect these vehicles and their performance?

SRT Upgrades

When you purchase an SRT vehicle you get upgrades to these three major things; power, braking, and aerodynamics. 

• HEMI Engine: Every SRT is powered by the impressive Supercharged HEMI V8 engine. This engine makes the Dodge Durango, an SUV, go from 0 to 60 in only 4.4 seconds. It gives the Challenger Hellcat a whopping 717 horsepower. This engine is made for speed.
• Aerodynamics: SRT models have been designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, having air induction hoods, spoilers, wide-body styling, and other features to reduce drag and improve overall handling.
• Brembo Brakes: If you’re going to go fast you better be able to stop fast, which is why every SRT is equipped with Brembo Brake systems. High-performance Brembo calipers and slotted brakes make it so you can break quickly and safely.

What About R/T?

The R/T variants of Dodge vehicles are almost similar to SRT variants, but have slightly less power. They do come cheaper, though. You’ll get most of the great features that SRT variants have for half the price. You can get the Challenger, Charger, and Durango in the R/T variant.

So Which One Should You Get?

If you aren’t concerned with price, then going SRT would be right for you. The Dodge Charger SRT starts at $69,645, while the R/T Charger starts at $36,395. If you aren’t as concerned with having all the premium features but still want to go fast, the R/T is for you. If you want to give any of these bad boys a test drive feel free to come into the dealership and speak to our staff. They would love to give you a helping hand.

If you’re in the market for a new truck you may be considering moving from gas to diesel. You likely already know, diesel engines produce more low-end torque, great for trucks that will be towing heavy equipment, but let’s delve deeper:

The Towing Capacity

Probably the most notable and desirable feature the diesel truck boasts is its incredible towing capacity. Diesel engines provide more torque, meaning more pulling power. Let’s compare the towing capacity on the 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn diesel to the regular Ram 1500 Big Horn

• 3.6-Liter V6 24V VVT eTorque (Regular Big Horn) – Max towing equals 7,730 lbs
• 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel Gen 3 (Diesel Big Horn) – Max towing equals 10,040 lbs

As you can see there is a noticeable difference in these two towing capacities. Both these trucks cost the same amount, the price being $36,885 msrp. If you have a job where you need to tow heavy items, or maybe if you have a large trailer or boat, the diesel variant may be the best option for you.

Maintenance 

Something that doesn’t get mentioned enough for the diesel engine is the frequency of maintenance that is required, or the lack thereof. Generally, if you treat your truck well, you won’t have to get it worked on as often as you would a gas powered truck.  Even though diesel engines are internal combustion engines, not hybrids or electric, the way that they operate means they tend to require less upkeep and service. You’ll still need to take proper care of your vehicle and have it serviced as recommended by the manufacturer, of course, but this is usually less frequent and involves fewer replacements than a gas engine. That being said, maintenance needed for a diesel engine is typically more expensive than for a gas engine. Replacement parts can cost a bit more and the maintenance itself can be more expensive, but this is, of course, offset in part by a reduced need for service that diesel trucks require.

Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency of diesel trucks is impressive, comparatively speaking. In general, diesel engines have better overall fuel economy than standard gas engines, especially when it comes to highway driving, making them a great option if you spend more time on the highway than around town. We’ll look at the 1500 Big Horn again so you can see how much a diesel engine really makes a difference.

• 3.6L V6 with eTorque: 20/25/22 MPG – City/Highway/Combined
• 3.0L EcoDiesel V6: 22/32/26 MPG – City/Highway/Combined

As you can see you get almost 10 more mpg on the highway, which in the long run will save you a sizable amount of money.

So Which Truck Should You Get?

It really depends on what you plan on using the truck for. Do you have a job that requires you to drive on the highway frequently while towing a trailer full of work supplies? Then the diesel option is perfect for you. Do you do most of your driving around town and rarely ever haul anything heavy? Then maybe a regular gas powered truck is up your alley. If you have more questions regarding diesel trucks, or if you want to give a diesel or regular gas Ram truck a test drive today, come visit us at Briggs Dodge Ram.

The Dodge Hellcat is a name that instantly grabs your attention when you hear it. You’ve probably heard of the Hellcat and how fast it is, but do you know how it earned its name and the history behind it? Well if you don’t, keep reading and you’ll learn some fun facts about this iconic muscle car.

How It Earned Its Name

How did the Hellcat earn its intimidating name? Well, there were many names that were suggested for the Hellcat while it was just a project, ranging from “Apache” to “Tigershark”. Eventually the creators of the Hellcat settled on the current name, which they got from a World War II fighter plane, the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The F6F Hellcat was best known for its role as a rugged, well-designed carrier fighter, making it a fitting name for the Dodge Hellcat of modern day.

There’s Diamond In The Hellcat

That’s right, in every single Hellcat you can find diamonds. In each of the washers you’ll find embedded diamonds which were added for maximum strength as the Hellcat’s engine’s supercharger is so powerful that steel washers were too weak and wouldn’t properly anchor the crankshaft. This led to the creators having to implement one of the strongest substances known to man to support the incredible power of the Hellcat: diamonds.

The First Two Hellcats

The first production model of the Hellcat went for the total sum of 1.65 million dollars. This is a staggering amount of money, and it was all donated to charity. At an auction in Las Vegas the very first Hellcat was sold to Rick Hendrick for $825,000, and the price was matched by the Engelstad Family Foundation. The money went to a charity called Opportunity Village, which is a charity that provides men and women with all levels of disabilities the chance to lead a life that had previously been unattainable. 

The second Hellcat was the first to be officially sold by a dealership, lasting only one hour. Sadly, the owner lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree shortly after taking it off the lot. Luckily the owner and his passengers escaped unharmed, but the Hellcat was totaled. Let this be a lesson to drive responsibly, especially when you’re driving a beast like the Hellcat.