2012 Dodge Super Bee First Test

We test the 2012 Dodge Super Bee.

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC]

00:10 Chrysler has done it much differently with the new Super B.

00:27 Turning a fast, luxo cruiser into the knuckle-dragging beast it was always

00:31 meant to be.

00:32 Comparing it to its counterpart, the standard Charger SRT8,

00:36 the Super B package sets everything right.

00:39 The SRT8's chassis tuning is impressive.

00:42 The 470 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque threw the car forward with ease.

00:48 But the entire package just didn't seem to live up to its muscle car heritage.

00:53 Chrysler has foregone the new luxury hides for a new black cloth and

00:57 yellow trimmed interior with Super B logos embroidered into the seats.

01:02 The SRT8 steering wheel remains, but the navigation system was cut for

01:06 cost savings.

01:07 In its place is a touch screen, not much bigger than a smartphone,

01:11 which handles temperature, audio, and phone controls.

01:15 Gone are the front and rear heated seats and

01:18 the classy 19 speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

01:22 The weight savings have paid off in performance.

01:25 The Super B is slightly faster around our figure eight,

01:28 posting a 25.5 second lap time at 0.76 average G,

01:34 with an average lateral acceleration of 0.86 G.

01:38 However, the Super B might be slowed down by the lack of the 20 inch forged wheels

01:43 found on the SRT8, which have been replaced by lower cost cast pieces.

01:48 The wheels are still a split five spoke design and

01:52 are still wrapped in 245/40 Goodyear Eagle F1 super cars, but they are heavier.

01:58 In the brake test, the nose dove onto the front tires and

02:01 skidded to a halt in 112 feet.

02:04 This brings us to an important point on all of the SRT8s.

02:08 Although the 4.4 second 0 to 60 time and

02:12 the quarter mile time of 12.8 seconds at 112.6 miles per hour

02:17 are both impressive, a good set of sticky tires would likely shave a couple of

02:21 tenths off both numbers.

02:23 The Charger SRT8 Super B isn't for everyone.

02:27 Some buyers still want the coddling and comfort supplied by the standard car.

02:31 But when we fantasize about chasing a perp through alleys and

02:34 parking garages, we don't care if our Frappuccino is chilled while our cheeks

02:38 are warmed.

02:39 We'll take our Super B in pitch black paint and put the money saved into rear tires.

02:44 [MUSIC]

02:54 (logo whooshes)