Those looking to boast about numbers in the horsepower war will still turn to Dodge. The brand’s Challenger nameplate will now feature two separate Hellcat models: the standard Challenger Hellcat and Challenger Hellcat Redeye. And more power comes for the latest model year.
The standard Hellcat pushes the power rating from 707 horsepower up to 717 hp, thanks in part to a new dual-snorkel hood that better channels air into the factory cone filter. The Hellcat Redeye, which receives some of the now-discontinued Challenger Demon’s technology, makes 797 hp. The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 remains Chevy’s top dog with a 650-hp 6.2-liter LT4 supercharged V8 engine.
Aside from the power bumps, both models sport nearly identical looks to the previous model year cars, though the dual-snorkel hood is the major differentiator. The hood is meant to recall some of the most iconic Mopars or yesteryear, notably the Dart Swinger and original Demon.
We’ve mulled the question numerous times before, but the retro-inspired designs and throwback cues certainly help motivate Challenger buyers. We think it’s time Chevrolet look back on the Camaro’s past for its own design packages and styling motifs inspired by the past.
Comments
I really don’t understand what GM is waiting for a more powerful Camaro!!!???
Meh… Challenger is still a bloated pig on a 13 year old platform. Not too concerned about it.
The only thing that the Challenger has going for it that GM is sorely mistaken in not offering is an AWD option, especially in the ZL1/Z28 models.
2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye curb weight – 4,400lbs. 2018 Challenger Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time (vapor)
2019 Camaro ZL1 curb weight – 3,842lbs. 2018 Camaro ZL1 Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time 7:16.04
Get in the Ring!
In a year or two the ZL1 or Z28 will have the LT5 motor giving it the power to weight advantage (in a lighter package) that is already quicker “around” a race track. A few years after that, the Viper (Hellcat, Redeye or Demon?) will return looking up at the mid-engine C8’s superiority.
Ah the old quicker around the imaginary race track that all these Corvette and Camaro buyers are taking their cars to.
95 percent of people who own these cars only go fast in a straight line after a traffic light goes green.
GM and Chevy don’t need two Camaro models basically doing the same thing. Yes road courses are fun but useless when the majority of Americans have hours between them and one.
Ditto. Power isn’t the end-all factor. Keep throwing power at a ride that’s at its best in a straight line only. IMO , the power bumps are distractions from recognizing that this platform is OOOOOLD!!! May successfully create a halo effect for the brand but then the offerings are slim to boot.
So when a Viper eats a Hellcat, does it contract Redeye and become a Demon? or is it when the Hellcat eats a Viper it,,,
Chrysler is playing a PR gam3 to sell cars. It is working to a degree as they are getting headlines but long term it does nothing for 5nei4 future as the platform is long over do and with coupe sales in the tank may mak3 a new buisness case for the often delayed replacement tough to approve.
Right now their future will lie with anew owner. Hyundai?
GM needs to only focus on Global sales for the. Amati as Nort American sales will no longer support the car alone at an affordable price. Ford has already made the move.
They need to just focus on th3 complete package and refinemen5 and they will see enough sales globally to support the car.
Global sales is what has kept the Miata alive for so long.
Also more power is only a number unless you put it to the ground.
The real challange is to get more people to buy 100k units of the V6 and SS vs 1500 mega powered cars that cost twice as much.
mopar says it sold 25,000 of those high powered cars and they only expected to sell 3000
Still not enough to make a buisness case for a new model when the other half of production sells at fire sale rebates.
These lines need about 100k units to survive.
Chrysler put on some new siding over a house that is eaten up by termites. They are looking for a sale and just enhanced the drive by appeal.
FCA is not replacing the car at this point and that is telling.
Chevy is in this for th3 long term but if coupe sales do not improve globally both the Mustang and. Camaro could be at risk.
Al O has said a Demon competitor is not off the table, as the Camaro is nowhere near capped out.
the mopars are drag race cars and the camaros are road race track cars. the mopars sell well because more young people and older people reliving their youth are into drag racing .
Time for GM to step up the horsepower. Replace the small supercharger for a bigger one and get into the 700 club in the camaro line. Corvette needs to be in the 800 club.
Any meathead can put a big powerful engine in a car. The Challenger is like the big dumb bodybuilder who can bench press more than anyone in the gym but get’s his arse kicked by smaller guys who know how to fight.
The Camaro is the well-built guy at the gym who knows ten different martial arts and can drop the other guys without even trying. It handles as well as a Porsche and has more than enough power to kick the Challenger’s arse in any situation other than a straight line.
I’ve even read that the 700+ hp Challengers are downright dangerous because their chassis isn’t tuned well enough to handle such power.
Alas, the Camaro is too ugly to own. Maybe someday GM will hire a designer who can make it look as sophisticated as its chassis dynamics. Hell, they could just add more glass to the greenhouse so I can see out of the damn thing, and I’d put up with the cheesy styling.
Hot dam , the sixties are back again. Mean looking grill and hood , this is pure muscle car ! Camaro to me is a single purpose track car but the Challenger is a street car with room for four like I have never seen before . WOW !!
Isn’t there a general speed limit of 55 miles/hr in the USA?
No
Only when in a 45 zone and the cops are watching
When GM builds that Camaro with 700+ hp, make sure that optional Blue Button is available to keep it out of limp mode.
I know the Challenger platform is getting ancient and the car is overweight, but you have to give Chrysler credit for somehow staying in the sales game and even upping the horsepower ante. After completely missing the full redesign that Camaro/Mustang went through (which look remarkably similar to their previous generation cars), someone at Chrysler has to be laughing to the bank.
On the other hand, it may signify that a lot of the pony car demographic is looking for a vehicle high in cool factor, with great street performance (rather than track) and dare I say it — a usable back seat!
Any stock zl1 with drag radials will keep up with or outrun any stock hellcat, same drag radials and consistently at the track I beat hellcats 7 out of ten races because my zl1 hooks everytime and is consistent the hellcats hook sometimes and sometimes dont,and my zl1 traction control is way more consistent and recovers faster than the dodge system that just bogs car as no waits for power to come back in, zl1 will just chatter tires a little bit and keep pulling under tire spin with traction control in race mode, doesn’t just fall off like hellcet it regulates the power and goes. The hellcats are running beast, but Camaro gets it done pretty dam good with less power and keep up with me on way home down my 24 mile twisty country back road to and from my house I travel every time I leave, I would have put a challenger in the ditch already