Photo by Andre Tan on Unsplash
Disclaimer: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. See our full disclaimer here.
After 13 years in production, Dodge has followed up its Challenger production with another year of churning out its Hellcat. The Hellcat is a 2-door notchback coupe that has been blowing away the competition of other full production coupes for more than a decade and has gotten quite the reputation along the way.
The reputation of the Challenger Hellcat is one of power and one of a roaring beast that overtakes you on the road. This year is no different. The Hellcat continues to march onward with its truly devastating loadout and intimidating power.
The Challenger Hellcat is impressive when it comes to power-to-price ratio. It tops-out at 797 horsepower on its highest model, easily outstripping nearly any vehicle that comes in south of $1 million dollars. It is the only car that even comes close to offering this brand of power. The car can get you to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds before accelerating far, far beyond that.
How much will you pay for all of this legendary power? Well, the pricing tops-out at around $90,000. It’s one of the only vehicles with that kind of power that can seat a family of five and their cargo. Normally, in order to get even close to this kind of fury, you have to sacrifice day-to-day usability. That is not the case in regards to the Challenger.
That said, the Challenger is not without its challenges. One is the incredible weight of the Hellcat Redeye models – 2.25 tons. This means that ripping around curves is going to be a dangerous proposition. But, it gets an outstandingly low 13 miles per gallon in town, only creeping up to 22 miles per gallon on the highway.
However, it does create sounds much like its fictional namesake—the hellcat—that will alarm every single other person on or near the road! It’s not going to command the same respect as a Bugatti or a Ferrari, but that’s also not going to stop you from having fun with the insane amount of power that one of these vehicles wields.
How Accessible is That Power Really?
Photo by Cody Campbell on Unsplash
What is a supercar worth if it’s not fun to drive? The Hellcat is absolutely fun, providing unrelenting power. Some drivers may find its power to traction ratio too much to handle as it’s extremely easy to spin out, but if a beast that needs careful handling is what you’re looking for, the Hellcat is it. How fast can the Dodge Challenger Hellcat go? Let’s say it’s somewhere north of 200 mph.
However, all that power will die on the turns, and be especially careful in wind, snow or rain. It should go without saying that every person driving a car that can break 200 mph should be fully aware of their surroundings at all times.
One of the things that can help is upgrading to the Widebody package, which is 3.5 inches wider on the body frame, and sports tires that are 2 inches wider. When you’re fighting against these levels of power, every square inch matters.
In Summary: A Review of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat
The Hellcat is not for every driver. However, it is hard to beat the amount of power that it brings to the table—707 hp. If you have access to straightaways where you can really let her rip, the Hellcat could easily be the car of your dreams.
Dodge Challenger Hellcat FAQs
Photo by Doug Watanabe on Unsplash
What Are The Differences Between the Trim Levels of Challenger Hellcats?
SRT Hellcat
The Challenger SRT Hellcat clocks in at $58,995. It comes with the 6.2L HEMI SRT Hellcat V8 Engine, running at 717 hp. This runs into either a six-speed TREMEC manual transmission or a High-Output TorqueFlite 8-speed with paddle shifters.
It has a conical air-intake that runs into 2,380 cc/rev blower which produces considerable boost, and it has an after-run chiller to make sure that the car comes down cleanly afterwards. In order to keep all of this power under control, it employs four-wheel-disc brakes that have six-piston red Brembo front calipers bearing the SRT logo. These will deploy to help keep you on the road.
On the exterior the SRT Hellcat is a Dual-scoop hood and air-catcher headlamps, 20x 9.5 inch, low-gloss black, lightweight aluminum performance wheels, which bear 275/40ZR20 all-season performance Pirelli tires, a larger front splitter, and black exhaust tips.
Inside, the Hellcat logos are on houndstooth cloth seats. The instrument panel bezels and has the unique SRT logo and badge, and the speedometer climbs to 200-mph. All the door panels are ambiently lighted and, more importantly, have multistage front airbags.
SRT Hellcat Widebody
When you add the Widebody package—which will bring the price up to $64,995—the widebody suspension package offers a smoother ride, along with that 3.5-inch wider base, which helps to tame the beast a bit and prevent some of the spinning out that the Hellcat suffers from. The wheels are also 2 inches wider and come with 305/35ZR20 all-season tires.
SRT Hellcat Redeye
The Redeye package will start at $70,595, and upgrades the engine to the supercharged 6.2L High-Output HEMI SRT Hellcat V8 engine, which puts out that maximum of 797 horsepower. The Redeye comes with widebody competition suspension standard but not all the features of the Widebody package.
It has a Torque Reserve that can punch an extra 3.9 psi of boost on initial acceleration, leading to 55 percent engine torque. It also has higher-strength steel prop shafts that provide 15 percent increased torque capacity, and 41-spline half-shafts which can boost torque capacity an extra 20 percent. With all this extra power it packs on an SRT Power Chiller that utilizes an intercooler liquid-to-air chiller system to assist with boiling off all the extra heat that the system can churn out.
Externally, all this extra power is marked out by the black chrome Redeye exterior badging, which also extends to the interior. The speedometer goes up to 220 mph internally, and it has a Hellcat Redeye startup screen in the gauge cluster. The Redeye package isn’t satisfied just to hand you a more powerful car, it wants to make sure that’s visible, even when you aren’t tearing down the road and alarming the neighbors with the power under the hood of your beast.
SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody
This brings to all of the Redeye features, the extended wheels and fender flares of the Widebody model for a truly ferocious experience. If you really want to get the most out of the beast, this is where you need to start from, and that will start out at $80,560.
2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody (Green)
Running footage and beauty shots of the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.
What Are The Different Types of Dodge Hellcat Engines?
At the low end, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 Engine delivers 303 horsepower; this is the standard package and is available with the SXT, GT, and AWD packages.
Next up the food chain, we meet the 5.7L Hemi V8 that steps it up to 375 horsepower and has the built-in ability to switch from eight cylinder to four to save on gas. This one comes standard with the R/T model.
The 392 Hemi V8 is the standard engine on the R/T Scat Pack and brings us all the way up to 485 horsepower. At this point we have well stepped outside the realm of practicality and into the realm of power.
The Supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 rocks out with 717 horsepower. This can only be found in the SRT model and absolutely destroys on the straightaway.
Finally, the Supercharged 6.2L High-Output Hemi V8 delivers 717 base but, with the limited run Super Stock upgrade, steps it all the way up to 807 horsepower—well above any other production car, bringing truly ludicrous power to the driver.
What is a supercar?
A supercar is defined by an emphasis on top speed and acceleration far above the handling of sports cars. This is a relative term that falls in the middle of the continuum between sports cars and hypercars. There is no hard and fast rule for what a supercar has to have, as the bar continues to move higher and higher. American muscle cars began as the first supercars, but now, they are categorized as sports cars.
Regardless of what measure you’re using, the Challenger Hellcats certainly are among their number. The Challenge Hellcat outstrips many of the cars in the Ferrari lineup, which are held up as quintessential supercars. It absolutely earns its place among the pack of terrifying everyday supercars.
What does SRT mean?
SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology, which is a line of Dodge parts that are specifically tuned for superior performance (in terms of speed and acceleration). The SRT brand and promise is that there will be no trouble in going from zero to 60 in seconds and bringing yourself safely back from 60 to zero when the need arises.
Top Dodge Challenger Accessories and Gift Ideas
Let’s face it, if you own a Hellcat, you spent a pretty penny to buy it and you want to keep it nice. Invest into a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Full Car Cover with Hellcat Emblem and keep your car clean. Would be an awesome (albeit a little pricey) gift as well!
Add some flare to your cat with this Black Fender Flare Kit for the 2007-2020 Dodge Challenger. It installs neatly in minutes with no drilling and the OEM matte black finish can be painted to match your vehicle.
Have you seen those Lambo Style window shades? Installed, these rear window louvers give your Challenger a retro muscle car inspired look. We dig it.
Don’t have a Hellcat (yet!) but still a fan?
Pick up a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Diecast Model Car.
Or shop for this vintage set of iconic Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat artwork. The artist reinterpreted the patent paperwork to capture the spirit of innovation, engineering, kinetic energy and craftsmanship used to make the classic car design.
We know a few guys that need this SRT Hellcat Charger Challenger “BEAST” 30 oz stainless steel insulated tumbler. The gift box comes with a lid, 2 reusable straws and a brush to clean them. Would be a great gift for any muscle car lover.
Merch for Dodge Challenger Fans
We know you love the Dodge Challenger Hellcat (who doesn’t?!) Check out these:
Be sure to subscribe for exclusive deals, updates on new car swag, articles for auto enthusiasts and DIY car hacks.
I’m a kid at heart disguised as an auto researcher and business owner. I’ve always enjoyed providing insight in the form of reviews (anime, video games, autos, etc.) When I’m not researching, I’m spending time with my family, driving my Dodge Challenger, riding my motorcycle, and finding new entrepreneurial pursuits.
