A Hellcat car is any Dodge (now under Stellantis) vehicle powered by the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, famously known as the Hellcat engine. These cars are defined by their extreme horsepower, thunderous exhaust note, and "more is more" American performance philosophy. They are not designed for subtlety but for delivering an exhilarating, high-horsepower experience straight from the factory.
The whole point of a Hellcat is the engine. It's a beast. The supercharger whine is a signature sound, and the power is immediate and relentless. The Hellcat engine has been offered in several models, creating a hierarchy of performance. The Challenger and Charger are the most well-known, but it also found its way into more niche vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the Durango SRT.
A key distinction is between the standard Hellcat and the more powerful Hellcat Redeye and Demon variants. The standard Hellcat engine typically produces 717 horsepower in its final years, while the Redeye bumps that to 797 hp. The Demon, and its successor the Demon 170, are drag-strip-focused monsters pushing over 1,000 horsepower.
The following table compares the key factory figures for the main Hellcat-powered models in their final iterations:
| Model | Body Style | Horsepower (Standard Hellcat) | 0-60 mph Time (Est.) | Top Speed (Governed) |
|---|
| Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat | Coupe | 717 hp | 3.6 seconds | 198 mph |
| Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat | 4-Door Sedan | 717 hp | 3.7 seconds | 196 mph |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk | SUV | 707 hp | 3.5 seconds | 180 mph |
| Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat | 3-Row SUV | 710 hp | 3.5 seconds | 180 mph |
| Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock | Coupe | 807 hp | 3.4 seconds | 182 mph |
Owning a Hellcat is a commitment to performance. Fuel economy is low, often in the teens or even single digits. The wide tires are expensive to replace. However, for the driving enthusiast who craves raw, unapologetic power, the Hellcat delivers an experience that is becoming increasingly rare in the age of electrification, making it a modern icon.
