Dominic Toretto’s 1968 Dodge Charger has become an icon of the Fast & Furious movie franchise, and in the latest installment, Fast & Furious 9, it’s back and better than ever. This time around, the Charger has been given a wide-body and upgraded with a powerful V8 HEMI Hellcat engine, making it even more impressive than before.
The 1968 Charger used in the movie is not just any car. In fact, nine versions of the car were built specifically for the film, with two of them featuring the powerful V8 HEMI Hellcat engine in the middle. The other seven cars were equipped with V8 LS3 engines that were used in stunt scenes. Building these cars was no small feat, and it took the team at Dennis McCarthy’s Vehicle Effects department at Universal Studios a total of 4.5 months to complete the project.
The V8 HEMI engine used in the Charger is taken from the Charger Hellcat model, which has a standard capacity of 707 horsepower. However, tuner Performance Tech has increased the power to more than 800 horsepower with 110 octane gasoline. The car also features a 6-speed manual gearbox Graziano, taken from the Lamborghini Gallardo supercar.
In addition to the powerful engine, the Charger has been upgraded with a custom-made chassis and a wide-body bodykit made from SpeedKore Performance carbon fiber, which extends the wheelbase by 150mm. The car also features sports wheels from HRE and high-end Brembo brakes.
Inside the car, the cockpit is classic and features an NOS tank, which is a must-have for any car driven by Dom Toretto. The plexiglass and metal visor protect the driver from heat and engine noise, a detail that was inspired by the Ford GT40 racing car.
Behind the scenes, the team at Dennis McCarthy’s Vehicle Effects department had to work tirelessly on this project, with an intensity of 14 to 15 hours a day. Two Chargers with more than 800 horsepower had to do many parallel scenes in Glasgow, Scotland, and Tbilisi, Georgia. Despite the harsh scenes, both cars are said to be in near-perfect condition.
Overall, the 1968 Dodge Charger driven by Dominic Toretto is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering and a true icon of the Fast & Furious franchise. With its powerful V8 HEMI Hellcat engine, custom-made chassis, and wide-body bodykit, this Charger is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences around the world.
video :