The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is where tires go to die. It’s one of the last coupes with American-style V-8 thunder under its hood. The Challenger SRT Hellcat lineup’s most reserved model spews 717 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. But there’s so much more: output from the Hellcat Redeye model’s version of this engine jumps to 797 horsepower. And the meanest, nastiest Hellcat Redeye, the Widebody Jailbreak edition, deploys 807 horsepower. All Challenger SRT Hellcats help you toward a suspended license with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel-drive is the only configuration offered and is one that is always ready to deploy billows of smoke from each of its massive, 12-inch-wide rear tires. While souped-up rivals such as the Chevy Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are more road-course friendly, the SRT Hellcat has surface-prepared drag strip energy. And a lot of it. The more everyday all-wheel drive, V-6, and smaller V-8 equipped Challenger are reviewed separately.hellcat engine for sale.
What’s New for 2023?
Dodge is gearing up for the final model year for the current generation Challenger SRT Hellcat by making the 807-hp Jailbreak package available on both the Redeye and non-Redeye models. All 2023 Challengers will come with a special “Last Call” plaque under the hood to commemorate the final production run before Dodge switches to a new generation of performance cars featuring electrified powertrains.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT / SRT Hellcat starts at $71,895 and goes up to $92,895 depending on the trim and options.
Base
Jailbreak
Widebody
Widebody Jailbreak
Redeye
Redeye Jailbreak
Jailbreak
SRT Hellcat Redeye Wide Jailbreak
Redeye Widebody
$91,895Super Stock$92,8950$25k$50k$75k$100k$125k$150k
The Widebody version looks cooler with its flared fenders and handles better, thanks largely to wider wheels and tires, so that’s the one we’d choose. Despite the fact that the SRT Hellcat is all about excess, we wouldn’t opt for the Redeye model that increases power to nearly 800 horses. In fact, during our testing, the Redeye wasn’t quicker than the standard Hellcat because its tires simply couldn’t put the extra grunt to the ground.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The mad scientists at Dodge’s SRT laboratory pulled a Samuel L. Jackson and went all Old Testament with the almighty Hellcat engine. The standard setup makes “only” 717 horsepower, and the version in the Redeye pumps out 797 horses. The 807-hp Super Stock model features dedicated equipment for drag racing. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the last Challenger SRT Redeye Widebody we tested roared to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds at 125 mph. We’ve driven several Hellcats and—as expected—never got tired of tapping into the endless power supply. However, launching the unruly beast straight and true is an exercise in extreme car control. Every model had an insidious growl at startup that builds to a hellish howl under heavy throttle. The Hellcat’s distinct supercharger whine will send shivers down your spine from either fear or excitement—most likely both. These high-performance Challengers might not be the ultimate tools for a track-attack event, but they’re quick as hell in a straight line and handle well enough to hustle down twisty back roads—provided your heavy right foot knows when to let up.duralast gold battery