First Hellcat Totalled

A sublime Hellcat in Colorado was totalled only 1 hr. after being purchased! The owner, apparently, lost control and hit a tree.

I understand that contributing factors were an icy road and summer tires.

With great power (707 hp) comes great responsibility.


https://autos.yahoo.com/news/2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-crashes-colorado-083512851.html

 

That sucks! Wonder if it was ice or he just didn't know how to handle that much power. I think the its the latter.

 

Colorado State Patrol have revealed that the driver of the crashed 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was 34-year-old Lance Utley. He was traveling along Riverdale Road with two passengers when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. Authorities have confirmed that there were no injuries and that they are charging the driver with careless driving.


Bad formula. 707 hp + icy roads + summer tires= disaster

Consumer Reports has posted this information about the danger of using summer tires in cold weather:

"If you own a car with summer tires, refrain from using it at all in cold temperatures as the tires may crack. Leave it parked. Beyond cracking concerns, summer tires have diminished grip below 40º F on dry and wet roads and virtually little to no grip on snow and ice.

This is a significant concern for buyers in northern climes, with GM notably advising not to drive such vehicles during winter chills at the risk of developing damaging cracks. It is likewise important to owners looking forward to spring drives in their performance cars to inspect the tires thoroughly.

GM bulletin #13-03-10-001A : "Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking" – (Jan 30, 2014) advises “avoid driving, moving, or test-driving vehicles equipped with high-performance summer-only tires below 20º F as operating at these temperatures can cause damage to the tires.” The car models affected include the 2012-2014 Buick Regal GS, 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport, 2012-2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Z/28, 2014-2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, and the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Stingray Z51, and SS sedan.

In GM’s quest to deliver the ultimate handling in these cars, they built performance tires with essentially a racing compound to deliver the goods. These tires are great for driving in temperate areas and are ideally suited for track use, but the practicality of the tires stops there.

Reaching out to a GM tire supplier, Pirelli, a spokesman explained that the performance tread compound becomes so stiff on such tires that it can lead to cracking when deformed in cold weather. In measuring the hardness of numerous brands of summer tires at 0º F, we have found the tread becomes almost inflexible and the tires lose their bounce when dropped. The cracking is characterized as cosmetic, but in our experience any cracking shouldn’t be taken lightly as it can evolve over time. If there is crack, you should replace the tire. (GM’s service bulletin also recommends discarding a tire with cracking)."

 

The wrecked Hellcat will be going to an auction soon in Denver. If the engine is still good, it will make an excellent swap for another car. What would you bid for it?

https://www.iaai.com/Vehicles/Vehic...0&itemID=18397692&RowNumber=7&loadRecent=True

 

How bad is it? Is the frame bent? Doesn't look that bad if the engine is fine and frame to repair it.

 

Ha ha, that much power was scaring you? I understand!