There’s a psychological guidelines that requires a run by way of for each full-throttle software of the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye.
Is the wheel straight? Cool, that one’s extremely steered. You’ll additionally wish to take a peek at your traction management setting. The alternatives are “medium burnout” and “black out the solar” modes. Subsequent, decide if there are members of legislation enforcement nearby or earshot. In the event that they’re not already, the sound of a Hellcat accelerating is pretty much as good as a police canine whistle at this level. Lastly, are you paying very shut consideration? As approachable as Dodge makes 797 horsepower despatched to the rear wheels really feel, placing your foot all the way in which down isn’t any elementary activity. There will be counter steering required. You higher be capable of sense simply when these meaty 305s are going to lastly hook submit spin cycle, too, as a result of wherever you’re pointed, you gained’t be touring slowly.
Honestly, the Charger Hellcat Redeye is a automotive that didn’t must exist. Dodge’s 717-horsepower model of the Charger will already interminably smoke the rear tires for so long as your rubber price range will permit. Including one other 80 horsepower to the combo is extra of a “as a result of we are able to” choice — the components had been already sitting round because of the Challenger Hellcat Redeye — versus a response to any precise shopper demand for extra energy. Whereas some producers trumpet EVs and set far-reaching emissions objectives, Dodge plods on with a smirk. Heh, we put an even bigger supercharger on this one.
However give the Redeye some credit score. Certain, the supercharger will increase from 2.4 liters to 2.7 liters in measurement, however the 6.2-liter V8 it’s hooked up to is extra just like the Demon than the usual Hellcat. Meaning it has strengthened connecting rods and pistons, a high-speed valvetrain, revised gasoline injection system and the next performing lubrication system. All these upgrades permit Dodge to extend enhance strain from 11.6 psi to 14.5 psi, and lift the redline from 6,200 rpm to six,500 rpm.
There’s extra to this powertrain than simply the internals, too. Dodge says the Redeye’s new hood permits an 18% higher air move charge than the usual Hellcat’s consumption. The consumption system additionally takes benefit of the SRT Energy Chiller that diverts air con refrigerant to assist cool consumption temperatures when it’s sizzling out. Yeah, that’s fairly metallic.
Dodge even went to work on the eight-speed automated transmission within the Redeye, becoming it with stronger internals. Plus, the torque converter is ready to bump torque multiplication by 18% in comparison with the common Hellcat. A stronger driveshaft and axles are fitted to permit the drivetrain to deal with the additional torque. Widebody-spec 20-inch x 11-inch wheels mounted to 305-section-width tires put the ability down, and sure, it’s a 305-square setup. All-season tires are commonplace, however you’re going to need the non-compulsory, stickier three-season Pirelli P Zero rubber. Don’t even ponder driving this automotive within the winter — it’s already a handful in mild rain.
The one couple methods you’ll be capable of inform the Redeye from the common Hellcat from the outside are within the badges and hood design. Dodge embeds a tiny purple eye within the Hellcat emblem on every fender — you actually need to look intently, in any other case you’ll miss it. Surprisingly sufficient, Dodge doesn’t use the purple eye in both the trunk or grille Hellcat badges. The hood is only a bit extra aggressive than earlier than with greater openings and the aforementioned purposeful hood scoop. On the within, the SRT Hellcat badge on the passenger facet sprint options the purple eye therapy, however that’s it past some Redeye graphics within the screens. The remaining is regular Hellcat fare, which suggests it’s sparse, easy and spacious. All of your cash goes towards what’s below the hood.
And that cash may be very effectively spent when you’re a horsepower fiend. Having the ability to smash the fuel pedal at 45 mph and enthusiastically mild the rear tires up is laugh-inducing each time. There’s a little bit of give and take to that sort of an expertise, although. You’re solely ever in a position to absolutely and successfully get into the fuel pedal when shifting at speeds above 30 mph. Dodge’s built-in launch management system illustrates this automotive’s lack of grip and traction at low speeds greatest, because it feels just like the automotive crawls off the road, scrambling and desperately looking for traction. We had been unable to duplicate Dodge’s claimed 3.6-second 0-60 mph time utilizing the automotive’s onboard timer — that point seemingly requires a ready drag strip and correct tire warmup, so don’t anticipate to match it on the road.
The place the Hellcat Redeye really comes alive is from 30 mph as much as nevertheless costly of a ticket you need. Significantly, you gained’t discover any remotely authorized pace the place you drop the hammer and it doesn’t slam you again into the couch-like bucket seat. Dodge says it’s going to max out at 203 mph, making it quicker at V-max than any of the German tremendous sedans which are considerably dearer. That mentioned, the most important query that requires answering is that this: Does it really feel higher and faster than the non-Redeye?
Dodge’s numbers would counsel sure to the latter, however solely barely. The official quarter mile time is 10.6 seconds at 129 mph, besting the usual Hellcat’s go by 0.36 second and 4 mph. From the driving force’s seat at street speeds, the distinction is imperceptible. You’ll really should be on the drag strip or racetrack to reap the rewards of the Redeye. And sure, Dodge says the Redeye is faster round a street course, besting the usual Charger Hellcat round its personal 2.1-mile check observe by 1.2 seconds.
The 2 largest variations you’ll bodily sense within the Redeye are its extra aggressive shifts and a higher-volume to the supercharger whine. There’s an additional little bit of violence to this revised transmission’s habits in any drive mode. That makes it barely extra uncouth to pop round city in, but it surely’s additionally extra participating if you’re stepping into it and regularly slapping up and down by way of gears. And the extra-loud supercharger whine solely is sensible — it’s greater! We like it.
Dealing with performs second fiddle to this 4,610-pound four-door, but it surely’s higher than you may think. Dodge doesn’t do something to improve the Redeye’s suspension, however the adjustable Bilstein adaptive dampers fitted on the common Hellcat Widebody are greater than able to dealing with the duty. They provide a supple sufficient trip in Auto to make for comfortable freeway cruising, however are in a position to stiffen the automotive up and sharpen reflexes dramatically in Sport and Observe modes. Observe continues to be too stiff for many public roads, however that’s why they name it Observe.
There’s an acclimation interval to trusting this automotive’s grip by way of corners, however when you’re there, you notice that you may lean on and be assured that these large 305 entrance tires will carry you thru. The steering is surprisingly talkative, too, at all times letting you recognize what dips and street imperfections these tires are discovering themselves in. Making use of energy popping out of corners requires one more step of belief, as a result of even when you go away traction management absolutely on, the Redeye will nonetheless attempt to get free do you have to be a bit of early into the throttle on nook exit. Discover that completely satisfied steadiness, and this automotive will really shock at how wonderful it handles.
The worth premium on a Redeye over the usual Hellcat quantities to $8,600. Is the Redeye an $8,600 higher expertise than that base Hellcat Widebody? No, not except you propose on frequent journeys to the native drag strip and racetrack. If you’re, the upgraded internals, drivetrain elements and trick additional cooling capability is effectively value the additional change. And in case your pocketbooks are bottomless, why not get the extra highly effective model? You’ll be able to spec it out to be north of $90,000, like our $90,360 check automotive was — Hellraisin, as our tester was painted in, is extremely advisable. Bear in mind to price range for tires, too. Lots of them. And doubtless dashing tickets.
One factor’s for certain, irrespective of which you select, you’re going to be laughing like a toddler each time you drive it. Like most SRT (and particularly Hellcat-equipped) automobiles nowadays, this Redeye is likely one of the most obnoxious and fun-to-drive vehicles on the street. Get them whereas they final.
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