Remember the awe that struck the automotive world when the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat debuted with its monstrous 707 horsepower? It was sheer madness back in 2015. But the Redeye, my friends, that’s a whole different animal. This isn’t just about brute force; it’s a testament to Dodge’s commitment to old-school muscle car madness in a world obsessed with eco-friendly driving. Buckle up as we delve into the 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye— a glorious throwback with a tire-shredding secret.
Design: A Modern Classic
The Challenger has aged like fine wine, its retro design cues still captivating all these years later. The Redeye Widebody treatment amplifies this with subtle enhancements like LED running lights and massive wheels that pay homage to its ancestors. Our tester, sporting a sleek satin black hood, roof, and rear deck, evoked the spirit of the iconic Challenger T/A.
However, the interior tells a different story. While the cabin remains functional and spacious, the design feels somewhat dated compared to newer models. The materials are decent, but the layout and physical gauges lack the modern touch seen in its rivals like the Mustang and Camaro.
Comfort: Cruising in Style, Not Sport
The Hellcat Redeye pampers you with large, comfortable seats perfect for long journeys. However, those seeking a more performance-oriented experience might find them lacking the aggressive bolstering found in the Recaro seats of the Shelby GT500 or Camaro ZL1.
While the deleted rear seat in our tester (a cool feature, by the way) sacrifices the Challenger’s unique five-seater capacity among muscle cars, it highlights the abundance of space. The cabin is roomy, offering ample headroom and legroom, while the trunk is generously sized, making it practical for weekend getaways.
The ride quality is surprisingly refined, even on rough roads, effectively isolating you from wind and tire noise. Only in Track mode do the adaptive dampers stiffen up, sacrificing comfort for minimal gains in handling.
Technology and Connectivity: Uconnect Still Holds Its Own
The Challenger continues to impress with its Uconnect 4 infotainment system, featuring a responsive and user-friendly 8.4-inch touchscreen. Although starting to show its age, it holds up well against competitors, offering quick response times and intuitive navigation.
The SRT Performance Pages add to the driving experience, providing access to various performance data and allowing you to fine-tune the Challenger’s driving modes. The inclusion of 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity further enhances its appeal.
Performance and Handling: Taming the Beast
The heart of the Redeye is undoubtedly its monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8, churning out a mind-boggling 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, the power delivery is nothing short of exhilarating. Acceleration is brutal and immediate, pushing you back into your seat with unrelenting force.
However, the Redeye’s Achilles heel lies in its tires. Unlike the GT500 and Camaro ZL1, which come standard with summer tires and offer optional ultra-high-performance variants, the Redeye is left to grapple with its immense power using all-season tires. The optional summer tires on our tester, while an improvement, struggled to contain the Redeye’s fury.
This mismatch between power and grip results in a car that feels constantly on the edge, requiring constant attention to manage the overwhelming torque. Investing in a set of high-performance tires is highly recommended to unlock the Redeye’s true potential.
Handling, as expected from a Challenger, is geared towards straight-line domination. While the adaptive dampers try their best, there’s still a noticeable amount of body roll and squat. The steering, though responsive, lacks the sharpness found in its more agile rivals.
Safety: Power Comes at a Price
Opting for the Redeye means compromising on active safety features. Due to its demanding cooling requirements, it misses out on advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking, which are available on other Challenger trims. However, it compensates with excellent visibility and a decent set of HID headlights.
Fuel Economy: A Predictable Thirst for Fuel
As expected from a car boasting this much power, fuel economy isn’t the Redeye’s strong suit. The EPA rates it at 13 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined, demanding premium fuel. While these figures aren’t surprising for a car in this segment, the Camaro ZL1 proves that you can have your cake and eat it too, offering slightly better fuel economy while still packing a punch.
Pricing: Power Doesn’t Come Cheap
Starting at $76,595 for the Widebody trim, the Hellcat Redeye is the most expensive car in its class, even before adding the mandatory $2,100 gas guzzler tax and a $1,495 destination charge. Options can quickly inflate the price, as evidenced by our tester’s $95,540 sticker price, which included several four-figure packages.
Conclusion
The 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is a thrilling and unapologetic muscle car. It stays true to its heritage, offering breathtaking acceleration and head-turning looks. However, its lack of grip and high price might make potential buyers hesitate. If you can live with its quirks and crave unrefined power, the Redeye won’t disappoint. However, those seeking a more well-rounded performance car might find better options elsewhere. Let us know in the comments below what you think of the Redeye and if you’d choose it over its rivals. And don’t forget to share this review with your fellow car enthusiasts!