Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye – Best Ultimate Review

Published by admin on 3:06 pm3:06 pm

Imagine a car that packs more punch than a super-expensive McLaren Senna, yet costs way less than a BMW M5. Meet the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, a true American muscle car that defies Europe’s definition of high-performance automobiles. It’s a true rebel in the world of automobiles, and that’s precisely what makes it so special.

What’s Going On Here?

Think of the Dodge Challenger like the Porsche 911 of muscle cars. It started its third generation back in 2008 with just a few models. But now, it’s grown into a big family with over 15 different versions, each with its own special blend of power and parts.

And just when you thought there were enough, Dodge has decided to make the Hellcat and R/T Scat Pack (try not to laugh at the name) even wider. Plus, after they finished making the super-fast Demon, they’ve taken some of its fancy bits and put them into other new models.

Which Challenger Is The Right One For You?

In the world of drag racing, they’ve come up with the R/T Scat Pack 1320. It takes the regular 485-horsepower 392 V8 engine and spices it up with some of the Demon’s fancy features like adaptive damping with Drag Mode, line lock, transbrake, torque reserve, and tougher half-shafts, among other stuff.

Then there’s the R/T Scat Pack Widebody, which borrowed the Demon’s wide wheel arches and got its chassis tuned up to make it handle better in corners. We took it for a spin, and I can tell you it’s the best-handling Challenger you can get your hands on. It might not beat an SS Camaro 1LE, but it’s a noticeable improvement from what it used to be.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye – What’s Special About This Car?

Well, it starts with a Hellcat, which was already upgraded in 2019 to 717 horsepower and 656 pound-feet of torque thanks to a cooler dual-snorkel hood. But the Redeye takes it up several notches. It boasts the ‘Hellcat high output’ engine from the Demon, which means it has a bigger supercharger and another 80 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque compared to the regular Hellcat.

But that’s not all. The Redeye also gets some cool features like the Power and After Run chiller to keep the engine cool during and between runs. It has a power reserve function for quicker getaways and a tougher drivetrain. And just like the Demon, you can even remove the passenger and rear seats if you want to.

What it doesn’t have from its big brother, the Demon, is the high-octane mode and all the drag-specific gear like the drag suspension, transbrake, special drag tires, and such. Think of the Redeye as a high-speed Demon. In fact, it can hit speeds over 203 mph in its regular form, whereas the Demon, with its drag tires, tops out at about 30 mph less.

Digging Deeper: Uncovering The Impressive Details

First off, the new twin-snorkel hood, along with the air catcher headlight intake and another one in the wheel liner, make the engine breathe better, improving the airflow by 18 percent. In fact, the engine now sucks in 1,134 cubic feet of air per minute. To put it in perspective, that’s like 89 grown-ups exhaling every single second. That’s a lot of air!

The front brakes have also been upgraded. Instead of the Demon’s weight-saving four-piston calipers, you get six-piston Brembo calipers to clamp down on the front discs. And here’s a cool choice you have: you can pick between different rear drive ratios. If you’re after more top speed, go for the 2.62:1 ratio. But if you’re craving more low-end power, then the Demon’s 3.09:1 ratio is the one for you.

Available Options: Is The Widebody The Sole Choice?

Nope, you’re not limited to just the widebody version. You’ve got choices! You can pick either a Hellcat or Hellcat Redeye, and you can have them in the regular, slim body or the widebody format. But, here’s the deal: unless you’re constantly pushing your car to its absolute top speed, the widebody is the way to go.

Why? Well, it’s got those wider 305 tires, which means more grip. And trust me, with nearly 800 horsepower under the hood, you’re gonna want all the grip you can get to keep that power firmly planted on the road.

Cruising Behind The Wheel: A Driving Experience Overview

So, how does the Redeye feel when you’re behind the wheel? Well, picture what you’d expect from a souped-up Hellcat. You’ll encounter the same sounds and responses, but they’re cranked up a few notches in both volume and speed. The engine’s larger supercharger, just 0.3 liters bigger, still dominates the soundtrack when you’re above idle. A gentle touch of the throttle, and those tires are itching to break loose. And you’ll be sitting in cushy comfort within the roomy cabin.

Now, when it comes to differences between the Demon and the Redeye, that’s where things get interesting. In Drag mode, the Demon feels floaty, soft, and a bit squishy, like something out of the ’70s. It tightens up nicely in Street mode and can get even better in Custom, where you can fine-tune the chassis to your liking. The Redeye, on the other hand, starts off firmer and more controlled right from the get-go. Switch it to Track mode, and it can become quite rigid.

On the road, in Sport mode, it handles much like a Hellcat with wider tires – super comfy, with improved steering feel and responsiveness. When you hit the track and engage Track mode, you’d be surprised at how composed it remains despite its hefty 4,500-pound weight and nearly 800 horsepower.

Thanks to those beefy tires, you can take corners at higher speeds, but keep in mind, you’ll still be doing a fair amount of steering with the throttle rather than just the steering wheel. It might not be the quickest way around a track, but it sure is a blast.

Choosing Between Redeye And Hellcat: Which One Should You Buy?

In the widebody version, absolutely. You’re getting the superior engine, some exciting new features, and more rubber on the road. However, when it comes to the narrow body, it’s a different story. The regular Hellcat already struggles to find traction with its standard tires. So, adding even more power and torque doesn’t improve the situation, unless your sole intention is to do stationary burnouts.

Regardless of the version you choose, I highly recommend getting behind the wheel of a Challenger as soon as possible. These true muscle cars, with their incredible looks and performance, might not be around for much longer. It’s essential to savor them while they’re still available.