Mopar fans know very well that their favorite models' days are numbered. Stellantis has ordained since last year that 2023 model year ICE-powered versions of the Charger and Challenger will be the last of the gasoline-sipping kind before embarking on a novel journey to find their EV lifestyle's mojo.
Naturally, the company was eager to make the Charger and Challenger nameplates authentic collectibles, so they also revealed no less than seven 'Last Call' special editions – and they culminated this proper farewell with the 1,025-hp (on E85) 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 dragstrip-oriented flagship. Just recently, we also found out that Dodge will soon stop taking orders for the Hemi-powered Charger and Challengers.
So, we are witnessing the dusk of an entire Mopar era. But that doesn't mean we can't indulge in some feisty quarter-mile dragstrip action to alleviate the sadness. And here's the videographer behind the Wheels channel on YouTube coming to the rescue with some modern muscle car shenanigans.
The host is usually a big fan of MRP (Mission Raceway Park in Canada, aka 'Thunder by the River') and Bandimere Speedway in Colorado, also known in the NHRA as 'Thunder Mountain.' Still, he sometimes loves to dabble with The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well. Such was also the case here when the latest video feature (embedded below) focused on a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody that is owned by someone who probably saw all Fast saga installments just before taking a commission of his or her feisty Mopar.
Anyway, the fancy Challenger Redeye looked ready to party at the quarter-mile dragstrip instead of facing its peers at The Strip. No worries; the owner had enough time to come to his/her senses before the races kicked off. The first one is against a Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody, and the Redeye made short work of its rival by way of 11.28s versus 14.38s ETs. The second race of the night was between the Redeye and another Challenger, an SRT 392, according to the description – and again it prevailed, despite a slower start on this occasion (11.61s versus 12.79s).
Thirdly, a Jeep Grand Cherokee came out for a quick brawl, but it probably didn't know what it was getting itself into – hence the 11.76s versus 15.81s elapsed times. All in all, neither the competitors came close to posing any threats to the quirky-looking Mopar, nor was this particular Redeye able to impress us with ten-second ETs! Oh well, we can't be picky about our Dodges these days, especially considering the upcoming goodbye to ICE-powered models. Alas, if that was a feisty Corvette Z06 in the other lane, I really don't know if this cocky Redeye would have been able to avoid getting ashamed…
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News