Stellantis shook the automotive world back in 2015 when it came out with the Hellcat versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger. But they upped the ante in future years with the even more powerful Demon and Redeye versions of their two muscle cars.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat puts out 717hp. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye ups that to 797hp. So how much of a difference does that extra 80hp make at the drag strip?
Well, Drag Racing and Car Stuff have posted a video showing the results of a drag race between a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The video then shares a race between the Redeye and a Tesla Model S Plaid as well.
SIBLING RIVALRY: HELLCAT VERSUS HELLCAT REDEYE
Horsepower alone does not determine the outcome of a drag race. There are other factors including driver skill and traction that can affect the final results.
Traction is certainly a big factor when it comes to rear-wheel-drive cars with lots of power. Some of them have difficulty putting all of their power down to the pavement, and the result is wheelspin rather than forward motion.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye in this video does not have an issue with traction. It appears to leap off the line like a cheetah in pursuit of a gazelle.
The Redeye shoots out of the hole against the Hellcat and takes an early lead and maintains it. In the end, the Redeye wins the race with an elapsed time of 8.6 seconds versus 9.75 for the Hellcat.
Redeye Lines Up Against A Tesla Model S Plaid
The Redeye's night is not done after it dispatches the Hellcat. It then moves on to a race with a Tesla Model S Plaid.
The Tesla Model S Plaid has everything needed to be the modern king of the drag race. It has 1,020hp to along with instantaneous torque emanating from its electric motors. The Plaid also has an all-wheel-drive system that efficiently puts all of that power to the pavement.
The Plaid gets out of the starting blocks a bit quicker than the Redeye. But the two beasts remain fairly even throughout the race. The results show the Redeye crossed the line in 9.29 seconds at 149mph. The Plaid finishes with a time of 9.67 seconds at 142.94 mph.