For the past couple of days, the internet has been flooded with pictures and video of a sinister matte gray Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT that is rumored to be a bulletproof HELLCAT powered all-wheel drive (AWD) police car. So we contacted our friends at Armormax the Utah-based company that created the car and is a world leader in manufacturing light-armored and fully-armored vehicles for clients around the world. We wanted to see just what lies underneath the 707 horsepower muscle car monster they have created.
First things first, the car is NOT AWD. That rumor has gotten blown way out of proportion. Instead, the Charger still features its stock 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft of torque 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 backed by the TorqueFlite 8HP90 8-speed automatic, which sends that power to the rear wheels. It’s still the hardcore pavement spitting machine that you can purchase at any Dodge dealer.
What can’t be seen under the skin is all of the serious life-saving technology that Armormax put into the large sedan. This exact car is equipped about as heavily as a James Bond Aston Martin. Fully operable bulletproof glass surrounds the occupants inside. The ballistic glass is layered with acrylic and polycarbonate laminates. Heavy duty radiator protection and a unique ram bumper for the SRT fascia protect the front of the vehicle. While an armored battery, ECM and fuel tank also are heavily protected from attack.
The car is equipped with strobe lights and sirens with an external PA system. Electrified exterior door handles and a tack dispenser were also added for defense.
The HELLCAT also features B4 (handgun), B5 (AK-47), B6 (High-Power Rifle) and B7 (Armor Piercing) ballistic protection. The entire passenger compartment is armored with light synthetic laminates and air hardened heat-treated ballistic alloys. This includes the doors, roof, floor, pillar post and other parts of the body while minimizing the added weight from the armor.
The suspension has been reinforced, while the flooring of the car has been equipped with a bomb blast security upgrade. This allows the car to absorb impact from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and lessening the shrapnel associated with pipe bombs, hand grenades, and other fragments around explosives.
While this particular vehicle is not all-wheel drive, heavier armored vehicles can be equipped with an all-wheel drive system. Armormax, however, has not released details about fitting the HELLCAT with such a powertrain, just yet. The company does say it gets its AWD components from a third-party. But will not convert the vehicle unless it is going for a full-armored layout.
While pricing is done on an individual basis and customized to the customer’s needs, anyone can reach out to Armormax to have their personal vehicle to be equipped with such technology. If you want to know more about Armormax armored vehicles, you can visit Armormax.com or contact Mark Burton at Armormax with any questions you may have.
