Customers have two more years to buy a Hellcat since Dodge will discontinue the powerful V8 engine in favor of electrification. As one of the more powerful Hellcats, the Dodge SRT Charger Hellcat Redeye delivers an overwhelming performance, especially on a straight line. But there are quicker models that the Dodge cannot beat, and the Audi R8 could be one of them.
Power Advantage For The Charger Hellcat Redeye
YouTube channel Sam CarLegion recently uploaded a video in which a 2022 Dodge SRT Charger Hellcat Redeye took a 2021 Audi R8 Performance. Power-wise, the Charger Hellcat Redeye smokes the R8. It features a steroids-laden version of the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine that could deliver 797 hp of max output and 707 lb-ft of peak torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the other hand, the R8 on the video comes powered by a boosted variant of the 5.2-liter V10 mill. This engine offers 602 hp of max output and 413 lb-ft peak torque, as sent to all wheels via a 7-speed S Tronic automatic transmission. Obviously, when these power specs alone are considered, the R8 cannot dream of beating hell out of the Hellcat.
Audi R8 Obliterates The Charger Hellcat Redeye
Obviously, the Dodge SRT Charger Hellcat Redeye and the Audi R8 are different vehicles built for different types of customers. While the Hellcat Redeye is a wild horse aimed at muscle car lovers, the R8 focuses on luxurious dynamics. After all, it is Audi’s halo car that combines luxury and performance, which explains why it costs more than twice a Hellcat Redeye.
In Sam CarLegion’s video, however, the Hellcat Redeye seemed to be a slow vehicle when racing against the R8. Except in the first run where the R8 driver had a late pedal response, the Hellcat Redeye was always losing every race. The drivers tried various modes and configurations, but the Hellcat was still on the losing end.
Why The Charger Hellcat Redeye Could Not Win
Definitely, the Charger Hellcat Redeye was more powerful than the R8. But it was also more than 1,000 pounds heavier. That balanced things out, but the Hellcat Redeye still had a better power-to-weight ratio.
But just as the host noted, the Hellcat Redeye cannot properly put the power down as they were not racing on a prepped surface and on slicks. The R8 has the advantage in this aspect, as it is not just lower on the ground, but is also an AWD affair.
Source: Sam CarLegion on YouTube