For many performance brands out there, this is an era that marks the transition to more "sanitized" cars, with the ever-increasing pressure of emission regulations having this inevitable effect in spite of the best efforts coming from designers and engineers. But don't put Dodge on that list, because, as its freshly revealed 2021 line-up shows (more on this below), it sits at the opposite end of the cool scale.
As we dive into the details of the fresh arrivals, allow me to explain the rendering above: just look at the face of the brand spanking new 710 hp Durango Hellcat sitting on the non-wide body of a Challenger Hellcat - you can thank digital label Car Front Swaps for this two-door, seven-seater muscle car.
We can see the big coupe sporting the SUV's front fascia, as well as the latter's hood, while the red finish of the Brembo brake calipers and the Destroyer Grey hue covering the exterior are the type of treats Dodge enthusiasts are used to seeing in showrooms.
At least to these eyes, the mix looks stable. Then again, I might be subjective, especially since I appreciate the rendering's way of bringing together two members of the ever-increasing Hellcat family.
WIth that out of the way, let's move on to the new 2021 goodies, shall we?
The actual Durango SRT Hellcat? This tiny bus will complete the 0-60 mph run in 3.5 seconds, but, give it a bit of extra time, say, a total of 11.5 seconds, and you'll see the thing completing the quarter-mile run.
Then there's the Challenger SRT Super Stock, which basically closes the gap between the current Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody and the retired Demon even more. So while the Challenger Hellcat Redeye incorporates hardware borrowed from the Demon, the new model also throws in the latter's smaller 18-inch wheel and tire package, among others.
Thus, if you like to spend time at the drag strip, you don't have to seek aftermarket help for a small wheel conversion that helps you find traction (OK, if you're looking for an extreme build with over 1,000 hp, you'll probably still go for a custom 15-inch conversion, but this is a totally different universe). The result of the added bits and pieces: the 0 to 60 mph run is handled in 3.25 seconds, while the 1,320 feet sprint takes 10.5 seconds.
I've left the new 797 hp Redeye incarnation of the Challenger Hellcat last simply because this is the least shocking release, as we all knew exactly what to expect thanks to the spyshots. Long story short, this is a sedan that can take five occupants all the way to 203 mph. And, when hooned around a 2.1-mile racetrack that Dodge uses for testing, the super-sedan beat the "standard" Hellcat by 1.2 seconds. Speaking of which, the same course saw the Durango Hellcat besting the time of the naturally-aspirated Durango SRT, which used to be the range-topper, by a full 1.5 seconds - you'll find the complete details in the press release below.
The automaker also decided to remove the Grand Caravan minivan and the Journey FWD crossover for the 2021 model year. Axing the two models makes for a 40% reduction of the lineup, leaving the shorwoom floor to the Charger, Challenger and the Durango. Nevertheless, the retired pair wasn't on the go-fast radar, so, at least for aficionados, its demise is no major loss. If anything, we can say that the move has only increased the average horsepower rating of a 2021 Dodge.
However, as much fun and customer satisfaction the remaining models provide (Dodge recently became the first US brand to sit at the top of the J.D. Power study on the matter), we need to talk about the future.
As is the case for parent company FCA altogether, Dodge needs to ensure its next generation of cars will be just as enticing. Well, in this age, it all means balancing that (V8) firepower with electrification efforts, so the company can meet the ever-stricter average fleet emission standards. And if we factor in the fans' desire for the Viper to return (the supercar was discontinued in 2017), it means the carmaker has one hell of a mission to complete.
Meanwhile, you can watch Dodge head honcho Tim Kuniskis introducing the 2021 HEMI-tastic trio described above in this video.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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