Hoonigan's latest racing video features two extremely different machines from two extremely different brands. The only thing in common is big power, with their owners quoting scarcely believable numbers.
The 2017 model year Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat usually belts out 707 horsepower, but this particular example of the breed makes in the ballpark of 1,200 ponies. According to its owner, the American muscle car is a 9-second car in the quarter mile. Given the drag racing wheels, massive drag radials out back, and the humongous Whipple blower hiding underhood, it appears to check out.
Gifted with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, air suspension from Air Lift Performance, quad exhaust pipes rather than the standard two, BRAUM seats, and BRAUM harnesses, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic from ZF. Tipping the scales at circa 4,400 pounds (1,995 kilograms), the Hellcat is porky compared to the 2018 Audi RS 3 in the other lane.
The four-ringed automaker from Ingolstadt lists the 2018 model with 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm) on tap, which are tremendous crankshaft numbers for a 2.5-liter turbo I4. Be that as it may, the EA855 Evo in this RS 3 develops a simply ridiculous 860 horsepower at the wheels. All four of them, that is, hence the aggressive setup.
Despite being equipped with seriously wide Mickey Thompson ETs out back, the Hellcat struggles for traction at launch. Then again, racing on a runway isn't the same as racing on a VHT-infused drag strip. The shocking thing, however, is how fast the RS 3 is compared to the 1,200-horsepower muscle car.
Photo: Hoonigan on YouTube
In the second of two races, the Hellcat's owner got six cars in front of the RS 3. Even so, the gentleman in the Audi smoked the more powerful car in the first 100 feet or so. Given the RS 3's Haldex-type quattro all-wheel drive and the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, this matchup is distinctly lopsided.
In any case, the RS 3 has time on its side while the Challenger does not. In fact, Stellantis ended L-platform vehicle production in December 2023. The successor is due in late 2024 for the 2025 model year in the form of a three-door coupe that won't be called Challenger. Previewed by the Charger Daytona SRT concept, Dodge's next muscle car has been confirmed with 400- and 800-volt electric setups.
The 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six turbo is likely to be offered as well, but alas, the third-gen HEMI will be gone for good after 2024. Regarding the RS 3, which is due to receive a facelift for model year 2025, Audi officials alluded to more power without hybrid assistance. However, the A3 line as we know it will be – reportedly – succeeded by a new EV.
It's not clear if the A3 name will carry over, more so because Audi's new nomenclature uses uneven numbers for combustion-engined vehicles rather than electric vehicles. Whatever the future may hold for the A3, there's no denying the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback could use a premium-oriented sibling.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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