Dodge SRT piles on the power
Normally around this time of year, a group of Canadian car writers are heading down for FCA’s annual sneak peek of its upcoming 2021 model line-up at the company’s Chelsea Proving Grounds, just outside Ann Arbor, MI.
Obviously, this year’s pilgrimage has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, but this didn’t mean that FCA did not have anything to show -on the contrary, Dodge’s SRT division has added three new muscle-laden vehicles to its ranks.
As if the Challenger Hellcat wasn’t powerful enough the engineers have managed to coax another 10 hp from its supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine topping it out at a phenomenal 807 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. Taking its name from the “Super Stock” class in drag racing, Dodge claims the Challenger SRT Super Stock will be the world’s quickest and most powerful production muscle car available.
The TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission has had its shift points ramped from 6,300 rpm to 6,400 rpm that helps it reach 100kmh in 3.25 seconds, and complete a quarter mile in a blistering 10.5 seconds at 210 kmh. The top speed of the Super Stock has been limited by the tires and now tops out at 270kmh.
Being built on a standard Challenger SRT Widebody body, the extra space it provides adds to the lightweight 18-inch-by-11-inch wheels that are fitted with ground-grabbing 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radials that increase the overall width by 89mm. Filling the wheels are lightweight four-piston Brembo brake calipers and 360mm vented rotors.
The Super Stock benefits from four drive modes: Auto (Street) mode, Sport mode, Track mode and Custom mode, the latter allows the driver to select between a number of configurations for the transmission, paddle shifters, traction, suspension and steering. The Challenger Superstock has been designed with the drag strip in mind and is set up for maximum drag strip performance and to cover the quarter mile as quickly as possible.
To keep in line with the Super Stock drag racing segment, the Hellcat SRT Super Stock will be in stealth mode with no distinguishing badging.
The Dodge SRT Super Stock can be ordered this summer with delivery being available later in the year. There have been rumours about the arrival of Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye circulating for a while now, and Dodge have just confirmed that it will now arrive as a 2021 model.
The Redeye edition will arrive with the 797-hp supercharged HEMI high-output engine that will take it to a blistering top speed of 326 kmh making it the fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.
Covering the monster engine is a newly designed functional hood that adds to the already aggressive stance. The integrated fender flares add nearly 9 cm to the width of the vehicle and help cover the massive 11-inch wide wheels that are wrapped in Pirelli 305/35ZR20 tires. Standard 15.7-inch Brembo six-piston front calipers with two-piece front brake rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear fill the 20-inch wheels and add to the aggressive stance of the Charger.
Like its Challenger cousin the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye comes with four driver mode settings: Street (auto), Sport and Track and Custom – that is controlled via the 8.4-inch touchscreen that gives the driver the ability to fine tune and control horsepower, transmission, traction and suspension settings.
The 2021 Redeye model comes with a plethora of standard equipment that includes: adaptive damping suspension, electric power steering, launch control and assist, torque reserve, line lock, SRT drive modes and SRT Performance pages. The interior has been finished off with Laguna leather seating with the Hellcat logo embossed on the seat back. The Redeye edition will have an available carbon and suede package that adds real carbon fibre accents to the instrument panel and console with Dinamica suede headliner, A-pillars and sun visors.
The new 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye edition will be able to be ordered this fall with delivery early next year.
As if the two vehicles mentioned above weren’t enough to get us all salivating, Dodge kept the biggest news until last – the new Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.
This newly designed three-row SUV throws conventionality out the window when it comes to performance. The Durango Hellcat can reach 100kmh in 3.5 seconds, cover quarter of a mile in 11.5 seconds and has a top speed of over 289kmh – and can still tow a class leading 3,946kgs. And if that wasn’t enough it can haul seven passengers and their luggage. There aren’t many other vehicles available that can claim such achievements. Now I can see why Dodge are claiming that “it is the most powerful SUV ever”.
The 2021 Durango Hellcat exterior has been made far more aggressive borrowing some of the widebody design cues from the Charger Widebody that include a new front facia and grille, LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights. A rear spoiler has been added to add more downforce when traveling at speed. The cabin has been upgraded and now includes a new instrument panel, new stitched bolster and centre console and a new 25.6mm (10-inch) touchscreen.
It was no easy feat for the designers to shoehorn such an engine into the Durango. The engineers had to develop a specific cooling circuit for the air coolers that are part of the supercharger housing. This keeps the temperature of the air flowing into the engine below 140F.
The newly designed facia includes a cold-air scoop that helps feed the supercharger and throttle body.
The Durango Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 is linked to an eight-speed Torqueflight automatic transmission and both manage to push out 710hp and 645lb-ft of torque. Not bad for a seven-seater.
The Hellcat comes with seven drive modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco and Valet.
The 2021 Durango Hellcat edition will be in big demand as it will only be made available for the 2021 model year. Orders will start in the fall with delivery anticipated in early 2021.
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