2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye

HOLD ON TIGHT! DODGE CHARGER HELLCAT GETS MORE POWER WITH REDEYE EDITION

Probably the last thing you might think the Hellcat version of the Dodge Charger sedan needs is a power boost.

As if the 707 horsepower in the debut 2015 Hellcat wasn’t enough, Dodge has upped the number for this year’s base Hellcat to 717.

Still hungry for more?

Dodge has come out with a Redeye version that takes horsepower to just short of the 800 mark at 797. That’s 47 more ponies than what NASCAR engines are allowed for road courses and short tracks for this year and far more than the 550 the stock cars are permitted on the larger tracks like Homestead-Miami and super speedways like Daytona and Talladega (https://nas.cr/38UiIDk).

That engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Torque is rated at 707 pound-feet and moves the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

Dodge timers clocked it at 10.6 seconds for the quarter-mile. Top speed for what the automaker hails as the world’s most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan is 203 mph.

That’ll spice up your daily commute!

Actually, though, I’m not sure you will want to use the Dodge SRT Hellcat for getting back and forth to work (after first impressing your co-workers, of course). Mileage ratings of 12 miles-per-gallon city, 21 highway, and 15 combined are not exactly suited for such tasks.

Saving the Charger for weekends would be my recommendation, especially considering how thirsty it is and that premium fuel (91 octane) is required to keep the engine going. Keep in mind, too, that the SRT stands for Street & Racing Technology, so take the hint.

The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye comes in Widebody form only  boosting width to 78.3 inches (without mirrors), or 3.5 inches wider than the standard Hellcat, to accommodate the wider wheel wells.

At 201 inches, the SRT Hellcat Redeye is slightly longer than the other Charger trims, though not by much. With a curb weight of 4,610 pounds, the SRT Hellcat Redeye also is a bit heftier than its Charger stablemates, including the regular Hellcat (4,595 pounds). 

Charger is classed as a large sedan and offers passengers the luxury of 41.8 inches of legroom up front and 40.1 in the back. Truck space, too, is generous at 16.5 cubic feet, and the rear seats fold to accommodate larger items.

Ventilated Laguna leather seats are standard on the Redeye, and, as with other Charger models, they are power adjustable eight ways with lumbar support for both front seat occupants.

Plenty of infotainment features are offered in the UConnect 4C system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth communications and streaming audio, and satellite radio all operating off an 8.4 -inch screen. The system can be upgraded to include navigation as well.

The good thing about that technology is that none of the functions require an engineering degree to operate. And the ride is surprisingly comfortable.

Standard safety features on the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye include a parking assist system, blind-spot monitoring with cross-path detection, and numerous air bags.

The MSRP of $69,595 covers all that. Options like a Customer Preferred Package that included special Redeye design touches and a 220 mph speedometer, a Suede Package that included a suede headliner and carbon-fiber interior accents, and navigation ran the total for my week’s vehicle to $86,865 including the $2,000 gas guzzler’s tax and $1,695 destination charge.

What I liked about the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat RedEye Widebody: The performance is exactly as advertised. Unlike the original Charger, which was a two-door coupe, it has four doors, but it still is very much a Muscle Car. Technology is plentiful and easy to operate.

What I didn’t like about the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody: The interior isn’t as spartan as the early Muscle Cars but still could use an upgrade. Those shopping in this price range generally expect more refinement. Gas mileage is about you would expect from a beast like this beast.

Would I buy the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody? Let’s face it. Unless you are going to take it to the track, there really is no need for all that horsepower for daily drives. It is fun for a while, lots of fun really, I wonder how long the thrill will last.