US-centric automaker Dodge has doubled down on its commitment to V8-powered performance muscle cars in the US, adding two new members to the Hellcat family, while upgrading an existing favourite.
While the Dodge brand was quietly retired in Australia in 2016, the brand’s parent company, Fiat Chrysler, has not ruled out a return for headline products like the Dodge Challenger muscle car to take on the likes of the Ford Mustang in the future.
The growing success of other American-market products like the currently import-only Ram could also herald the introduction of the incoming and seemingly fit-for-Australia Dakota mid-size ute, but this will likely depend on how global Fiat Chrysler is willing to make its incoming products (i.e. for right-hand-drive markets).
Regardless, here is the new muscle focused and V8 powered Dodge range that will remain forbidden fruit in Australia for the time being.
2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
The Durango Hellcat is faster and more powerful than the Lamborghini Urus.
Essentially Dodge’s version of the popular-in-Australia Jeep Cherokee, the Durango has less conventional and more aggressive looks, and now, the brand’s infamous Hellcat engine to match.
The most powerful SUV to ever wear the Durango badge, its 6.2-litre supercharged V8 will produce 529kW/875Nm giving it the capability to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds (or faster and more powerful than even the Lamborghini Urus).
With an optional towing pack fitted, it is also reportedly capable of towing nearly four tonnes which the brand says is the world’s highest towing capacity for an SUV.
2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye
Dodge claims the boost in performance is enough to have the Redeye outperform the ‘regular’ SRT Hellcat by 1.2 seconds on a 3.4km road course.
Again, claiming to be the most powerful car in its class worldwide, the Charger sedan gets an even more powerful version of the same 6.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 594kW and 959Nm of torque.
The brand claims the boost in performance is enough to have the Redeye outperform the ‘regular’ SRT Hellcat by 1.2 seconds on a 3.4km road course. Dodge says it will hit a top speed of 327km/h.
A previously optional ‘wide body’ is standard, with an extra 3.5-inches of width, as well as “25 major component upgrades” throughout the car, including a larger supercharger, increased boost pressure, a larger air box and an increased rev-limit.
2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock
The Challenger Super Stock is armed with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, producing 602kW/959Nm.
The Challenger Super Stock is described by the brand as essentially being a drag car that can also be driven on the road.
Equipped with a yet-again more powerful version of the same 6.2-litre supercharged V8, power has been boosted to 602kW, and it has the same 959Nm torque figure as the Charger Hellcat Redeye. Dodge claims the Super Stock is “the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car”.
