The world is in a bit of a pickle at the moment. But Dodge believes it has the answer to all our problems: horsepower.
It doesn’t matter what the issue is – be it a global pandemic, or if you’ve bitten off that tiny bit of skin next to your fingernail that seems to bleed forever – the answer according to the power-crazed boffins at Dodge’s SRT tuning division is more power.
This morning, Dodge dropped an 8,950bhp bomb on the world courtesy of the news that – I can’t quite believe I’m writing this – every single model in Dodge’s range (now that the Journey and Grand Caravan are being discontinued) will have a Hellcat-powered, 700+ horsepower SRT version courtesy of the new Challenger Super Stock, Charger Redeye and Durango Hellcat entering Dodge’s loony asylum.
That’s Lamborghini Aventador-esque power in a family SUV. With the new 710bhp Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat now claimed as the most powerful SUV on sale. Don’t like SUVs? No worries. As there’s the new 203mph, 797bhp Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world. But if you see those power figures as rookie numbers, Dodge has expanded its range to offer a replacement for the now out-of-production Demon: the 807bhp 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock.
Let’s start with the Super Stock. Wearing the same widebody kit as the Hellcat Redeye and fat, sticky 315-section-width Nitto NT05R drag radials from the Demon, it slots itself directly in between those two beasts. But there is one very important difference. One horsepower to be precise. Using the same potty supercharged 6.2-litre V8 as the Redeye and the Super Stock makes 10 more horsepower than the Redeye but exactly 1bhp less than the 808bhp Demon in order to not to cuck its big brother.
Like the Demon, it’s also drag-focused with strip-ready tyres, a shorter final-drive ratio of 3.09 and an enhanced load transfer from a bespoke Bilstein suspension tune. See, when you select ‘Track’ mode, the front suspension is set for firm compression and soft rebound, while the rear will remain firm for both compression and rebound, allowing the Challenger to transfer as much load as possible to the rear in order to sweep up as much traction as possible before firing itself at the horizon in an invisible cloud of noise but visible cloud of clutch and tyre smoke.
There’s no word on pricing, but given it’s the meat in the Redeye/Demon sandwich, expect the Super Stock to be slightly more expensive than the $80,190 (US only) Redeye widebody. But it’ll add some sweetness to the salty taste in the mouths of the people who missed out on a Demon. But if you can’t live with two doors but a 700+ horsepower figure is a necessity on your car shopping list, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye is your bag.
The old, non-conjunctivitis one claimed to be the fastest sedan in the world, so it’s no surprise that this one with an extra 80 horsepower and 77Nm of torque is even faster. And it’s properly fast. 327kph fast. Again, it uses a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 but a new, bigger 2.7-litre (it used to be 2.4) IHI supercharger has been bolted on. This produces more boost. And boost is a good thing. Now up at 14.5 psi (compared with 11.6 psi), it rips around to a higher 6,500rpm redline.
That’s not the only change, though. Now needing more fuel, to quench this outrageous thirst it has not one, but two dual-stage fuel pumps. Luckily, some of the internals have been beefed up to compensate, and there’s a new scoopy bonnet, mail-slot grille, and cold-air intake plumbed near the wheel to hoover as much air up as possible. Apparently, 18 per cent more air now gets into the Hellcat engine to gift 797bhp and 959Nm of torque. Lovely.
But what happens if you want a car with four doors but have a dicky back so can’t get down low but also HAVE to have over 700bhp? Well, step this way and consult the Durango SRT Hellcat – a headbutt straight into the schnoz of the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk.
Obviously a 710bhp and 875Nm SUV is not needed. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need it. Especially as it’s been certified by the National Hot Rod Association as having an 11.5-second quarter mile and 3.5-second 0-100kph time. Which is mental considering it weighs about the same as a cruise liner and can tow 3,946kg. But SRT claims there’s also been a 400 per cent increase in rear downforce. It really is amazing what shaving a brick can do, eh? Well, now it’s good enough for a 290kph top speed, which isn’t to be sniffed at.
So which 700+ horsepower Dodge would you have?
