The Dodge Charger and Challenger are arguably two of the most popular muscle cars out there.
They’re fast, furious, and certainly a pair of showstoppers. But if you think you’ve gotten everything out of Dodge’s muscle cars, it’s likely that you haven’t met the apex predator of Charger and Challenger engines一the Hellcat.
What’s a Hellcat?
Dodge SRT Hellcat models are upgraded versions of the automaker’s flagship muscle cars一the Challenger and Charger. First introduced in 2015, the Hellcat was designed as a racetrack-ready version of the Challenger that can go from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds.
What Engine Does a Hellcat Have?
The Hellcat sports a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine. This engine can deliver more than twice the output of a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar in some Chrysler, Ram, and Dodge models. Short for hemispherical, the term Hemi refers to the shape of the cylinder heads and combustion chambers on a Hellcat motor.
How Much Horsepower Does a Hellcat Have?
The first Hellcat was already capable of delivering 707 hp and 650 lb-ft. of torque. The succeeding models only got better and faster from there.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat’s standard output is 717 hp. Meanwhile, the Redeye Challenger and Charger models are capable of churning out as much as 807 hp and 707 lb-ft. of torque, pushing the speedometer readings to 203 mph.
Is the Hellcat Dodge’s Fastest Car?
As impressive as its track record is, the Hellcat is only a runner-up to the Dodge Demon when it comes to speed.
A limited-edition Dodge Challenger, the Demon boasts a 6.2-liter Hemi V8 that’s backed by a 2.7-liter supercharger, which takes the car from 0 to 60 in as fast as 2.3 seconds.
How Much Does a Hellcat Weigh?
The Hellcat weighs over 4,000 lbs, which is more than a thousand pounds heavier than its competitors like the Lamborghini Aventador and Dodge Challenger.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye has a curb weight of 4,430 lbs, which is 39 lbs lighter than the first Hellcat (4,469 lbs). The 2021 Hellcat was the lightest at 4,428 lbs.
How Much Is a Hellcat?
When the Hellcat debuted in 2015, it had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $60,990. In 2023, the “cheapest” Hellcat you can buy is the Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, which costs around $67,595.
Here’s a complete price list of 2023 Hellcat models.
| 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat | MSRP |
| Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak | $67, 595 |
| Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak | $73, 595 |
| Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak | $76,200 |
| Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye WB Jailbreak | $82,200 |
| Challenger SRT Super Stock | $84,205 |
| 2023 Charger SRT Hellcat | MSRP |
| Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak | $78, 895 |
| Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye WB Jailbreak | $87, 495 |
Hellcat Origins
The Hellcat was inspired by a fighter plane from World War II that carried the same name. The Grumman F6F Hellcat sported an IHI supercharger that was used on the Charger and Challenger Hellcats. Furthermore, the powerful propeller-driven fighter lent its name to the Hellcat motor and the vehicles that used the engine.
A Closer Look at the IHI Supercharger
The IHI supercharger is a positive displacement supercharger that uses screw compressor technology. It’s a mechanically driven compact supercharger that delivers instantaneous boost response.
An IHI supercharger has a high cycle efficiency that results in a lowered temperature from the generated airflow. It also has a low input drive for airflow and pressure ratio. Its performance-boosting abilities make it suitable for a Hellcat motor.
SRT Hellcats: The Rundown
The Dodge Challenger is available in six SRT Hellcat models: the standard Hellcat, Hellcat Widebody, Hellcat Redeye, Hellcat Redeye Widebody, SRT Super Stock, and Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak.
These models cover various 0-60 sprint speeds with the SRT Super Stock being the fastest at 3.25 seconds, making it a suitable pick for drag racing.
Other than speed, the most notable difference among these models lies in their physical appearance, with some sporting a wider body, larger wheels, and a more luxurious interior than others.
Unlike the Challenger, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat only comes in three options: the Hellcat Widebody, Hellcat Redeye Widebody, and Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak.
The SRT Hellcat models for the Challenger and Charger have similar options when it comes to customization. Drivers can choose from the following:
- Brass Funky
- Old School
- Red Dawn
- The Classic
- Old Glory
- Yin Yang
- Yeller
Curtain Call: The Hellcat’s Farewell
After dominating the streets for eight years, the Hellcat and its monster V8 will say goodbye after 2023.
Stellantis has committed to electrifying its future vehicles, which means it’ll be the end of the line for Dodge’s formidable Hemi. The Hellcat motor is being retired along with the performance trim that shares its name.
As a tribute to the Hellcat, Dodge has rolled out “Last Call” editions for the Challenger and Charger. These are limited-edition cars that only have 300 units each.
The Challenger’s last Hellcat is named the “Black Ghost,” a nod to the 1970 Challenger RT SE that paraded along Woodward Avenue before disappearing for months.
Meanwhile, the Charger’s last Hellcat is named “King Daytona,” which is a tribute to William “Big Willie” Robinson and his Charger that dominated the drag strip during the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Other Hellcat Breeds
The Dodge Charger and Challenger aren’t the only cars that sported a Hellcat engine. Here are other models that carried the same power source.
2016 Jeep Trailcat
The Trailcat is a Hellcat-backed Wrangler capable of delivering 707 hp. It was a special Wrangler designed for the 50th anniversary of Jeep’s Easter Safari.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Trackhawk is recognized as the first non-muscle car to have a Hellcat engine in production form.
2021 Ram 1500 TRX
The Hellcat engine can also be found in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, helping the truck get from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. The Ram 1500 TRX is also capable of delivering a maximum of 702 hp.
2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is considered the muscle car of midsize SUVs. Boasting a total of 710 hp, the Durango can go from a 0 to 60 sprint in as fast as 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. Like the other vehicles, it uses a Hellcat motor.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
