In today’s parts-swapping, platform-sharing, and highly regulated automotive scene, it’s Dodge that’s deserving of a round of applause. The fact that they still sell a family SUV with a supercharged 6.2L V8 is quite ballsy. Add to that the gas-guzzling Charger and Challenger SRTs, and the whole lineup is nothing short of badass.
If we’re brutally honest, the Dodge Challenger is our only recommendation for hardcore muscle car enthusiasts. Ford Mustang has transitioned into a mix between a sports car and a muscle car, and the struggling Chevy Camaro can no longer be called a pure muscle car!
The Challenger SRT Hellcat is the last great muscle car sold in America. But what left us surprised is how Dodge lied about the Hellcat’s horsepower figures. Freedom Street Garage took their 2021 Hellcat to JBA Speed shop and put it on the dyno. Surprise, surprise, the car made more power than advertised!
Updated March 2023: Freedom Street Garage shocked us when they did a dyno run of the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat. The figures indicated Dodge downplaying its performance numbers. So, then, what are the actual wheel horsepower and torque figures of the SRT Challenger Hellcat? We have updated this article with the same and also tell you why the numbers don't matter anymore!
A Closer Look At FSG’s $100,000+ Challenger Hellcat Widebody
What you find under the hood is a 6.2L supercharged Hemi putting out a whopping 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque. At least, that’s what Dodge says. More on that soon. For something that handles like a boat, the Challenger Hellcat—despite its aging platform—is still a force to be reckoned with. If you ever doubted the Hellcat’s purpose, think of this—the speed machine is supplied with a 2.4L supercharger, which is about the size of most mainstream car engines.
Dodge equips the Hellcat with Bilstein active suspension in addition to six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brakes. The supercharged Hemi sends power to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic, with a limited-slip differential thrown in for better traction. You could’ve ordered a Hellcat with a 6-speed manual, but the 2021 Challenger Hellcats are strictly an 8-speed torque converter only. Apparently, this was a temporary measure, and the six-speed manual has returned for all V8 engines in the 2023 Challenger Hellcat.
FSG’s Hellcat costs over $100,000. It has the widebody package, which adds $6,000 to the Hellcat’s $61,000 base price. It comes with the optional $2,000 plus package, giving you ventilated seats and suede inserts. Additionally, the Hellcat is optioned with the $1,000 Alcantara package and the SRT logo embroidered on the seats. It also has the near-$2,000 Harman Kardon 18-speaker premium audio and the U-connect 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This Hellcat gets the 8-speed auto, adding another $3,000 on top of the $1,200 granite-finish 20-inch wheels wrapped in 305-section high-performance rubber. All told, the car sits at $83,000. But after factoring in the taxes, dealer markups, the custom gun-metal wrap, and ceramic coating, the total price rockets past $100,000.
The 2021 Challenger Hellcat Makes More Than 717 Hp At The Crank
FSG’s Challenger Hellcat, after the dyno run, puts out 748 horsepower at the crank. What this means is Dodge has undervalued the Hellcat by advertising it at 717 horsepower. Also, if we look at the dyno map, the Hellcat puts out 563 whp (wheel horsepower), while the torque figures are 521 lb-ft.
This equates to a 25 percent drivetrain loss, which is something you have to live with. However, the 190-odd horsepower loss could’ve been minimized if it was a manual.
That said, automatics are getting more efficient. And the 25 percent loss seems a bit high. Owners over at Hellcat.org claim 620-640 whp. Also, they estimate drivetrain loss to be around 15 to 20 percent, which makes sense given it’s a fairly modern gearbox.
How Much Horsepower Does A Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Have?
While Freedom Street Garage shocked us with the dyno-run figures, let's not jump to conclusions. A dyno is a tool with many variables. Air temperatures can affect the output, and so can the altitude. Too hot an intake—you’ll be down on power; the colder, the better. Fuel used also makes a difference. Higher octane fuel can deliver better results.
Another inference from the JBA dyno run is that a Mustang dynamometer is used for the test. Forum members claim Dynojet to be slightly more accurate, bringing us back to the idea of a dyno being just a tool. Use it for reference when modifying the internals or running a tune.
The 2023 Challenger SRT might be the last year for America's true muscle car. Dodge, on its official website, still states that the 6.2-Liter Supercharged HEMI V8 pumps out 717 hp 656 lb-ft of torque.
So, numbers make sense only if you’re utilizing the full potential. Nine out of ten people are using their Hellcat as a recreational car. Surely, no one’s hitting the strip every day. So instead of worrying about numbers, try enjoying it. And since it’s a Hellcat, we’re pretty certain you won’t be disappointed.
Sources: Freedom Street Garage, Hellcat Forum, Dodge