Challenger SRT8 vs Hennessey Camaro HPE550 vs Mustang GT500

In response to reader dismay about the previous test which Motor Trend compared the 2010 Camaro SS LS3, 2010 Mustang GT and the 2009 Challenger R/T, this latest comparison has the following:

• 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
• 2010 Camaro Hennessey HPE550
• 2010 Ford Mustang GT500

First off, we do not find this to be a truly accurate comparison as the Dodge and the Ford are OEM vehicles you can order from your dealership and are built at the respective assembly plants. The Hennessey car takes a Camaro SS and transforms it into the performer you will see here, maybe a closer representation to what GM would do with a Z28 type package.

Here are a few replies MT received after that previous comparison:

"What a crock you guys did. How do you guys sleep at night? What upset me on the test was you didn't use the SRT or the Shelby in the comparison...you used the R/T and GT to keep the price more inline...I have an idea for next month's test. Compare the Camaro SS against a Kia Rio. They're both cars, have 4 wheels, have an engine and transmission. Close enough."
Monsoon
via email

"This is such crap! Why the hell did they compare them? A Camaro SS vs. the Challenger maybe, but the SRT8 version would have been better to compare. And again, with the Mustang GT, the GT500 would have been a better comparison car. dturner via motortrend.com

"Motor Trend, you amaze me at your stupidity. You take a mid-range Mustang and a mid-range Challenger and pit them up against a RANGE TOPPING Camaro SS. What are you thinking?? Here is an Idea, when you compare cars, make sure they are the same trim levels. Look and learn...Dodge Challenger SRT8 vs. Ford Mustang GT500 vs. Chevy Camaro SS"
6G72AVENGER
via motortrend.com

A better comparison in this case would have been the Challenger SRT8 and Mustang Cobra against the Camaro SS. Let's compare apples to apples.
Dave Tatman
Sammamish, WA

You get the picture. If they think a Camaro SS and a GT500 or the SRT8 are comparing apples to apples, they are delusional.

I'll let you read the comparison for yourself, let us know what you think!

Comparison: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 vs 2010 Hennessey Camaro HPE550 vs 2010 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500