Sometimes, it feels like the automotive world is becoming increasingly homogenized, focused on blending in rather than standing out. In an era of cautious design and a push towards conformity, the desire to make a bold statement can feel like a thing of the past.
Then there’s the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.
This isn’t a car for the faint of heart. The Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye stands defiantly against the tide of automotive understatement. As the most powerful and fastest mass-production sedan available, it’s loud, proud, and unapologetically raw. It’s a muscle car in its purest form, a hairy-chested beast delivering an outrageous amount of power. In a world striving for subtlety, the Dodge Charger Redeye screams rebellion, and that’s precisely why it’s so captivating.
Perhaps I’m not the quintessential Dodge Charger Redeye driver. My car preferences typically lean towards balanced performance and handling prowess, favoring the finesse of Formula 1 over the brute force of NASCAR. I appreciate cars engineered for optimal equilibrium between power, weight, and chassis dynamics. However, the Charger Hellcat Redeye transcends typical categories. It’s refreshingly straightforward: what you see is what you get – unadulterated fun. This car is addictive, compelling, and delightfully basic in its approach, eschewing the over-engineered, overly synthesized driving experiences found in many modern vehicles. Behind the wheel of the Redeye, all you crave are open stretches of road to fully appreciate the supercharger’s distinctive whine, harmonizing with the deep rumble of the Hemi V8 engine.
Widebody Aggression and Design Details
The Redeye inherits the widebody design first introduced on the Charger SRT Hellcat in 2020. Integrated fender flares widen the stance by 3.5 inches, accommodating substantial 20-by-11-inch wheels wrapped in wider Pirelli P-Zero performance tires. These wider side sills seamlessly connect the flared fenders, giving the car a significantly lower and more imposing presence. The Dodge Charger Redeye appearance is as aggressive and assertive as befits the world’s fastest production four-door sedan. A newly designed functional performance hood is a key feature, accommodating a larger air intake that enhances both the menacing aesthetics and the airflow. The mail-slot front grille further contributes to engine cooling. My test car came in the eye-catching TorRed exterior, complemented by optional Carbon Black Aluminum wheels and black brake calipers. Subtle yet distinctive Redeye badging on the fenders and trunk, featuring sinister red jewel-like eyes, subtly differentiate it from the Scat Pack Widebody and SRT Hellcat Widebody models.
Interior: Performance Focused and Functional
Stepping inside the Redeye, the interior is purposeful and business-like. Beyond SRT logos, red instrument dials, and the optional carbon and suede interior package, it maintains a familiar Charger feel. This is part of the Redeye’s charm – the focus and investment are clearly channeled into the powertrain and performance aspects. The black and sepia interior in my demo car, along with Laguna leather seats, proved surprisingly comfortable and offered decent support even on winding roads. Equipped with the Navigation and Travel package and the exceptional Harman Kardon audio system boasting 19 speakers, an amplifier, and surround sound, the audio fidelity was superb. However, the allure of the supercharger’s whine often overshadowed my desire for music. The Dodge Charger Redeye also provides ample space for rear passengers and a generously sized trunk, highlighting why the Charger platform is so popular with law enforcement and rental car agencies for its practicality.
Technology and Performance Features
The instrument cluster is clear and straightforward, featuring red dials and a speedometer that reaches an ambitious 220 mph. The 8.4-inch Uconnect center screen provides intuitive access to media, navigation, phone, vehicle settings, and the SRT Dashboard – the hub for performance adjustments. SRT Drive Modes allow switching between Default, Sport, Track, and Custom configurations, enabling tailored settings for transmission shift speeds, steering, traction, and suspension. The Performance Dashboard also houses Launch Control and the exhilarating Line-Lock feature. Performance Pages provide real-time data with timers, engine gauges, G-force readings, and engine dyno information displaying horsepower and torque figures. The Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye includes both a Red Key and a Black Key – a symbolic choice: the Red Key unleashes the full 797 horsepower, while the Black Key limits output to a more manageable 500 horsepower.
Under the Hood: The Heart of the Beast
Lifting the hood reveals a meticulously arranged engine bay showcasing the colossal 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine, dominated by its prominent supercharger and massive air intake. To achieve the staggering 797 horsepower, Dodge significantly upgraded the supercharger from 2.4-liters to 2.7-liters, increasing boost pressure from 11.6 to 14.5 psi and raising the redline from 6,200 to 6,500 rpm. This makes the Redeye boast the largest factory supercharger of any production car. To handle the increased air induction, the Redeye incorporates dual dual-stage fuel pumps and a larger induction airbox, drawing air from the performance hood intakes, the mail-slot grille, and an opening near the wheel liner. Internal engine enhancements include strengthened connecting rods and pistons, a high-speed valve train, a new fuel injection system, and an improved lubrication system. Power is delivered through the incredibly smooth and rapid TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission with rev-matching, shifting gears in a mere 160 milliseconds. The upgraded torque converter further amplifies torque multiplication by 18% compared to the standard Charger SRT Hellcat.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
While the standard Charger Hellcat Widebody was already a formidable machine with 717 horsepower, the Redeye variant amplifies the experience with an additional 80 horsepower and 57 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V8 in the Hellcat Redeye generates a monstrous 797 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 707 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. This translates to a top speed of 203 mph, a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 10.6 seconds at 129 mph. Dodge proudly proclaims it the “World’s fastest four-door muscle car,” a truly remarkable feat for a family sedan. To manage this immense power, the Redeye is equipped with substantial Brembo high-performance brakes, featuring six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers with vented rotors. While carbon ceramic brakes might seem appropriate for this level of performance, Dodge opted for Brembos, likely to maintain a degree of cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, the Brembos perform admirably, even with the Charger’s 4,600 lbs weight, bringing the car to a stop from 70 mph in approximately 144 feet.
Driving the Redeye is an intoxicating experience, particularly as you push the revs and revel in the supercharger’s distinctive howl. The SRT-tuned Bilstein three-mode Adaptive Damping Competition suspension, combined with wide 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tires, provides impressive traction. However, with all the available torque, spinning the rear wheels remains effortlessly achievable. Straight-line acceleration is predictably brutal, limited only by the efficiency of traction. Fortunately, Dodge has integrated electronic aids accessible through the SRT Performance dashboard. Launch Control optimizes tire slip for maximum traction, while Launch Assist utilizes wheel speed sensors to modulate engine torque within milliseconds to enhance grip. The SRT Hellcat also features Torque Reserve, prefilling the supercharger and managing fuel flow and spark advance to build a reserve of torque for rapid acceleration.
Line Lock and Cooling Prowess
Perhaps the most entertaining feature is Line Lock, which engages the front brakes independently, allowing you to spin the rear wheels for tire warm-up. Activating by depressing the brake pedal and holding the “OK” button on the steering wheel, it unleashes the full power to the rear wheels. Witnessing the Charger Redeye disappear in a cloud of tire smoke, accompanied by the pungent smell of burning rubber, is a spectacle. However, discretion is advised – performing this maneuver outside upscale establishments might attract unwanted attention. Given the extreme performance, SRT engineers have meticulously refined the cooling system. Beyond maximizing air intakes, the Redeye incorporates the SRT Power Chiller, utilizing air conditioning refrigerant to cool the supercharger’s heat exchangers, resulting in denser, cooler intake air for enhanced performance. Race Cooldown mode keeps the engine’s cooling fan and coolant pumps running after shutdown to further reduce supercharger temperature, monitored via the SRT Performance Pages on the Uconnect touchscreen.
Fuel Consumption and Daily Drivability
At full throttle, the Redeye consumes a staggering 1.43 gallons of fuel per minute, emptying the tank in under 11 minutes – a truly “Demonic” thirst. However, under normal highway driving, the Charger Redeye achieves a respectable 22 mpg. This duality is part of its appeal: a ferocious beast on demand, yet transforming into a docile, comfortable family sedan for everyday use.
A Last Stand for Old-School Muscle
What’s truly endearing about the Dodge Charger Redeye is its honesty and straightforward nature, a refreshing contrast in today’s automotive landscape dominated by electrification and synthesized experiences. The Hellcat Redeye feels like a throwback, a glorious anachronism. These powerful V8 engines feel like a defiant last stand against the inevitable shift towards electrification. For enthusiasts who appreciate old-school muscle and raw power, the Charger Redeye is a must-have before this era fades away.
Pricing and Jailbreak Edition
The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody started with a base price of $81,420. The test car, equipped with options like 20-inch Carbon Black Aluminum wheels, black brake calipers, Navigation & Travel Group Package, Harman Kardon Audio Group, power sunroof, Carbon/Suede Interior Package, and 3-Season Tires, reached a total of $91,480, including destination charges and gas guzzler tax. This represents exceptional value for a car delivering this level of performance. For the 2022 model year, Dodge introduced the Charger SRT Jailbreak as part of their “Never Lift” campaign. The Jailbreak edition boosts the Redeye’s output to 807 horsepower through revised powertrain calibration and offers a wider array of customization options and color combinations, further enhancing its appeal.
For more information visit the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody webpage
Photographs by James Henderson.
