The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept got a new suit – tri-coat Stryker Red – as it premiered this week at SEMA in Las Vegas.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) showed off the Banshee-powered battery-electric muscle car, as well as six “Last Call” 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger special-edition performance cars. Dodge also showed off different steps in its electrified performance, with 400-volt system output levels of 340 kilowatts (456 hp) and 440 kilowatts (590 hp) and an as-yet-unannounced, factory-delivered, power-level 800-volt SRT Banshee powertrain package.
The SRT concept also had “Stage 2” fender badging and new 18-inch Direct Connection lightweight carbon-fiber concept wheels with 305mm drag radials.
Meanwhile, other MOPAR madness was at SEMA:
The Ram 1500 Backcountry X Concept had the RamBox cargo management system, custom designed RamPack and RamRack storage features, and RamGate task-bench with custom paint, stripes and more.
The Jeep CJ Surge Concept was converted into a true EV with scalable 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module, 24 lithium-ion battery modules, JPP off-roading mods and 35-inch BFGoodrich tires
And the motocross-inspired Ram 1500 TRX Gold Shot Concept has a 702-hp rating, Mopar retractable bed step, and custom metal skid plates atop Vintage Bronze 18-by-9.5-inch Black Rhino Chamber wheels paired with 37-inch BFGoodrich tires.
The automotive world took notice when Dodge introduced the first “Hellcat” vehicles in 2014 for the 2015 model year. With a supercharged 707-horsepower V8 engine, the Hellcat Charger would become the most powerful production sedan ever created. Anticipation of seeing the new “cats” on the public roadways was palpable and their e arrival was loud, aggressive and often scary. Dodge’s new cats sent power to the rear wheels with a smoke-inducing vengeance, even with the tiniest of throttle.
Six years have passed and Dodge has expanded the Hellcat line up to include SUVs and with the all-new Dodge Ram 1500 TRX, pickup trucks. All of the variants boast over 700 horsepower. We’ve enjoyed doing the homework while reviewing the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and we’re currently testing the ferocious TRX, but nothing pulls our enthusiast heartstrings like the tried and true four-door-five-passenger SRT Hellcat Charger.
Unsurprisingly, the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody with its unique bodywork that features massive fender flares, put a smile on our faces that wouldn’t go away until we had to give it back. Even then we’d sit around and say things like “remember when we had the Hellcat Redeye Widebody?” and the goofy perma-grin would return.
Otherworldly Power and Performance
Powered by a 797-horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque version of the inspired 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, the Redeye retains the title of the “most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.” For lack of a better word, this engine is a beast. The supercharger whine is haunting. The exhaust sets off the neighbor’s car alarms and rattles house windows.
There is a good reason the Dodge marketing team opted to include the word “hell” in the sales brochure. Put the HP90 8-speed automatic transmission in drive, tap the throttle and the 20-inch wheels wrapped in 305/35ZR20 tires start to spin, usually without the car going anywhere. They will get traction eventually and when they do the car launches like a rocket ship. It is often scary as _ _ _ _.
Spacious Interior and Plenty of Cargo Space
While the supercharged V8 tends to get most of the attention, the Charger’s ponies are capable of more than a single trick. The spacious interior and ample cargo space make the Hellcat Charger one of the more useful family sedans on the market.
Considering the already family-friendly V6-powered Charger starts right around $30k, the Hellcat Widebody’s base price of $70k and the Redeye’s $80k jumping off point gives Dodge plenty of capital for improvement. With a long list of additional upgrades, our well-equipped test vehicle rang in at $87,165. At that price you expect more than a pretty face and a massive engine. For almost $90k you want heated and ventilated leather seats, suede and carbon fiber trim and unique visual cues. You are looking for that kind of substance and the Redeye delivers.
Rear seating is truly three people ready and the Charger’s trunk offers an incredible 16.5 cubic feet of useable cargo space. That’s enough room to accommodate a long weekend’s worth of luggage for a family of five.
Infotainment that Shines
We are longtime fans of Dodge’s intuitive and easy to navigate infotainment. The “Uconnect” system features at 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is found in much cheaper Dodge products where it completely rises above most of the competition. At $87k the system still shines, but feels more like it is “enough” than the segment show stealer that it is in a $25k vehicle. That said, the Hellcat’s special system features a long list of SRT performance apps that the lesser offerings don’t have.
We were also pleased with the optional 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. The premium audio upgrade gives the speakers a chance to rise above the raucous of the supercharged V8, most of the time anyway.
Active Safety Technology
Dodge’s SRT Hellcat is equipped with blind-spot monitors, rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. Options include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.
Do You Need a 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody?
Obviously the 797-horsepower Redeye isn’t for everyone. That said, it is a lot more useful than the initial marketing would suggest. How many drag strip ready cars are also perfectly equipped for the elementary school car pool lane? How about a rear seat that has room for THREE adults? Or a trunk that fits seven carry on bags?
