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SRT8 Charger Super Bee and Challenger Yellow Jacket readied for L.A. auto show

Wed, 09 Nov 2011

Dodge--or more accurately, the new SRT division--is bringing updated versions of past icons to the Los Angeles auto show. On Nov. 16, the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee will break cover along with its partner in crime, the Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket. They'll both arrive in showrooms in the first quarter of 2012.

The Super Bee was first introduced in 1968 as a member of Dodge's Scat Pack performance group. It was based on the Coronet and was offered with either a 335-hp, 383-cubic-inch V8 or the 426 Hemi. In 1969, the 440 Six-Pack was added. Later, the Super Bee package was switched to the Charger with the same engine lineup. The resulting 1971 Charger Super Bee had a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.7 seconds--downright fast for its era.

The name was revived in 2007 on the LX-body Charger, getting Detonator Yellow paint and unique exterior styling. The latest version, based on the 2012 Charger, gets a 392-cubic-inch V8 delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque backed by a five-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are optional on a new SRT8 steering wheel, which has a heating function.

Inside, the Super Bee gets cloth seats with yellow and silver striping, silver accent stitching and embroidered Super Bee logos on the headrests. The logo will also appear in the information screen on start-up.

The exterior will wear either Stinger Yellow or Pitch Black paint, with satin-black hood graphics on the yellow car and satin-gray graphics on the black car. The front fenders sport “392 Hemi” badges while the rears read “Powered by SRT.” New 20-inch wheels add to the performance look.

As for performance numbers, the new car will have a 0-to-60-mph time in the high-four-second range, according to SRT, with a quarter-mile time in the high-12-second range.

The Yellow Jacket name comes from the 1970 Challenger with the 426 Hemi option. It came in a color called Honey Gold and had the same Scat Pack performance features of the Super Bee.

Today's Yellow Jacket comes in Stinger Yellow paint with a black grille surround to match black body stripes. Yellow Jacket logos are placed on the rear fenders, while 20-inch, five-spoke wheels sit at the corners.

The special-edition Challenger will get the same 392-cubic-inch Hemi engine as the Charger with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. A Tremec six-speed manual will be standard with a dual-disc, high-performance clutch that first was used on the Dodge Viper. A five-speed automatic is optional. A limited-slip differential is standard on the Yellow Jacket.

Inside, leather seats get a yellow accent bands with the Yellow Jacket logo and silver accent stitching. The driver's seat is a bit more advanced than the 1970s version, with full lumbar support, tilt and memory. The new SRT steering wheel is included, again with optional paddle shifters for automatics.

The adaptive damping suspension is new for 2012 and is tuned specifically for the Challenger 392, according to SRT. The company says it has the fastest turn-in of any SRT product. It has both a sport and an auto mode.

Performance numbers are similar to those of the Charger, with a 0-to-60-mph run in the high fours and a quarter-mile time in the high-12-second range.

Both cars will be produced on a limited run of approximately 1,000 units each and will be available to order in December. Pricing hasn't been released, but we expect to hear news in the middle of next month.




By Jake Lingeman