The Dodge Challenger is one of the most widely recognized and famous muscle cars around. The outgoing third generation of the Challenger was launched back in 2008 and has had several updates over the years to keep it fresh. However, the whole point of buying a muscle car is power. And that’s something the Dodge Challenger hasn’t really lacked -- especially not in the recent years. And one could thank the introduction of the Redeye. So there’s already the incredible SRT Hellcat, and now there’s this. Dodge has been working on creating something which would not only work well on a drag strip, but wouldn’t faff about much if you fancy a normal (read “fast”) drive on the outskirts of the city.
But the 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye (a mouthful, I know) is arguably one of the most fun cars in its segment. The American automaker seemingly put some of its best engineers to create something that would not only knock out the enthusiasts, but wouldn’t necessarily run away with your wallet. In the United Arab Emirates, the Challenger Hellcat Redeye enters the ring with fellow titans such as the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro.
Exterior
The Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye is all about aggression -- it works so well that even SUVs tend to give way to it. While the overall design of the Hellcat Redeye isn’t radically different from the regular Challenger, Dodge has done enough to differentiate this wilder version from its other siblings. Some of the most obvious details on the Redeye up front are the exaggerated dual nostrils on the hood, a revamped front bumper with larger air intakes and a more aggressive splitter.
Around the sides, you get some really flared-up fenders that have been tacked on to accommodate the massive and butch-looking 20-inch wheels. The wide, muscular haunches from the likes of the Demon remain as it is. The biggest eye-catcher around the back of the Hellcat Redeye is its huge spoiler which helps this bad boy stay glued to the road if you feel like flooring that throttle. Apart from these, you still have those eye-catching headlamps, LED tail lamps and the impressive disc brakes all around.
Interior
On the inside, there isn’t really much to tell the 2019 Challenger Hellcat Redeye from its other stablemates. It is still a pretty comfortable yet sporty place to be, and you cannot really get away from the fact that you are inside a pretty ferocious muscle car. However, if you are expecting a huge change inside the cabin of the 2019 Challenger Hellcat Redeye, you are not really going to find it here. However, that said, it feels sporty and the quality of all the materials feel adequate enough.
The front seats are offer up enough support as you push the Redeye through the bends, whilst the cabin remains relatively sane (considering the aggressive tires, beautifully-loud engine & exhaust, and the less-than-ideal aerodynamics). The flat-bottom steering wheel, embossed ‘SRT’ logos on the seats and the red-colored seatbelts make this interior a pretty occasional event.
Engine and performance
If you thought that the 707hp Hellcat wasn’t brawny enough, the 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye should satisfy your quench for higher potency. The 6.2-liter V8 has been irked enough so that it now pumps out a gut-wrenching 797 horsepower and a mountain-tugging 959 newton-meters. As always, the rear wheels are shouldered with propelling this over two-ton muscle car to some insane speeds.
Of course, the brutish Challenger Hellcat Redeye tackles the run from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds, while the maximum velocity is an astounding 327 km/h - that’s an impressive number for a heavy muscle car!
Verdict
In the UAE, the 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye is on sale for AED 401,900. There are financing options available from AED 6,264 for the Hellcat Redeye, and if you are really interested, you should check this beast in flesh. While it may not be the most sophisticated V8-powered mucle car around, it will definitely will get your adrenaline pumping.
