Performance Review: Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Charger Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Dodge Charger has a 2213cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Charger shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Charger's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1114 kgs (2455 lbs) this makes the Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Charger shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2213cc 8V St4 engine produces 146 bhp (108 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 167 lb-ft (226.4 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Charger you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (156.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Charger.

The Dodge Charger has a Power to weight ratio of 131.0 bhp per ton and 149.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Charger competing with the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (156.0 bhp per ton) or the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (156.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Charger generating around 149.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (174.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive28i E89 (174.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Charger and the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Charger on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.87 secs @ 86.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs), the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), and the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 has a maximum speed of 115mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Charger equals the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Dodge Charger Shelby Turbo 2.2 then how about the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph), the , or the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (126 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Charger Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison