Is This Really the New Batmobile?
A few years back, we wrote about the history of the Dodge Charger throughout the ages, inspired by the Dodge Charger driven by the anti-hero, Ghost Rider, an addition to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the time. Upon further inspection, we learned a lot about the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, a classic nearly impossible to find thanks to all the remaining models destroyed by the Fast & Furious series (still think they’re cool?) Now in 2020, another superhero is using what looks like a high-tech, mid-engine Dodge Charger. It’s the legendary Batmobile!
This new Batmobile is a little…odd. It definitely doesn’t look like the Batmobile we’ve all come to love. Even the Nolan Batman Batmobile had some “Don’t’ mess with me” look. This is just a Dodge Charger with a fancy spoiler. The above image is possibly the best look at the “bat” in batmobile, but the rear fascia does look pretty sick (seen below).
That angle is far better than how it looks from the front (below)? Maybe the concept photos are just bad, but this looks like someone found it in a junk heap and stuck some costume props onto it. Is this seriously the vehicle the upcoming “The Batman” movie will be sporting? What is director Matt Reeves doing to the Caped Crusader’s famous ride?
The concept shares similarities to hot rod Dodge Charger, but there is nothing confirming this. Aside from photos shared by Hollywood model maker and designer Jeff Frost, then leaked onto Twitter by @TheBatRobert after the website was made private, there is nothing concrete. Aside from the similarities the new Batmobile model shares with the Dodge Charger, there are of course a couple of high-tech and futuristic additions, but not enough to make this look like anything other than a modern-day K.I.T. if someone decided to reboot The Nightrider.
Judging by the looks of the rear, one may think at least that part of the Batmobile is sacred, the jet-like propulsion that sends it through the streets of Gotham (and other places) at incredible speed. No, not this Batmobile. Although it may have inklings of a widebody package, due to the width of the front bumper, this model doesn’t come with anything of the sort. Instead, it seems to be outfitted with a V8 engine, but so far we’re not sure which one.
The Dodge Charger is known to come with three V8 engines made famous by the Dodge Challenger. There’s the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, able to generate up to 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque – definitely not Batmobile material. How about the 392 HEMI V8 engine, capable of 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque? It’s better, but it doesn’t scream “jet engine”. The only choice is the Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI SRT Hellcat V8 engine, able to generate up to 707 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque, able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, only 0.2 seconds behind the now 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, going from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.
Of course, if we really wanted speed, maybe the studio will grab up one of those remaining Dodge Challenger SRT Demon models, a vehicle that could blast off and accelerate from 0-60 in just 2.3 seconds. Now that’s a Batmobile. What do you think? Can someone out there do better? Please say yes. You can start by modifying your own Dodge Charger from Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.