2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Sells Its Soul To The Demon For 797hp

Dodge clearly knows what Challenger buyers want: more power, more aggressive styling, and better performance all-round. Lucky, then, that that's just what the 2019 Dodge Challenger range delivers, including a new 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye with a 797 horsepower engine.

That, Dodge says, makes it the most powerful, quickest, and fastest muscle car around. The supercharged HEMI V8 pairs 707 lb-ft of torque with its 797 hp, for a 3.4 second 0-60 mph time. It'll do a quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds hitting 131 mph, while the top speed has been nudged up to 203 mph.

In short, it's the Demon's V8 dropped into a car that isn't just designed to go in a straight line very, very quickly. The Redeye has a larger supercharger than the regular Hellcat, with increased boost pressure, and a higher rpm limit of 6,500 rpm compared to the usual 6,200 rpm. There are two new dual-stage fuel pumps, rather than just one, and a larger induction air box that sucks both through the new, dual-snorkel hood, and through the driver-side air catcher headlamp along with an inlet near the wheel liner.

Dodge has combined it with a TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic, and there's Torque Reserve for an extra 3.9 psi of boost at launch and up to 55-percent more engine torque. It includes both the SRT Power Chiller and After-Run Chiller systems, and two body designs: regular and Challenger SRT Redeye Widebody. There'll also be two final drive ratios offered: the standard 2.62:1, and an optional 3.09:1 for "enhanced launch capability."

The 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat, meanwhile, gets 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque for the new model year. It also gets the new dual-snorkel hood, which Dodge says is Dart Swinger and 1971 Demon inspired. Both Hellcats get 20 x 9.5-inch SRT Low Gloss Black lightweight performance wheels as standard; new 20 x 9.5-inch split five-spoke wheels with Brass Monkey finish are optional. The Widebody versions of both cars get split-five spoke, 20 x 11-inch "Devil's Rim" forged aluminum wheels shod with 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero rubber.

If you want a manual transmission, you'll need to opt for the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat, mind. That comes with the Tremec six-speed as standard, with the automatic an option. Either way you get Adaptive Damping Suspension with three modes, Launch Assist and Launch Control, Line Lock, and the SRT Performance Pages section in the Uconnect infotainment system.

Then there's the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack. That's now being offered in Widebody Package form, with 3.5-inches added to the overall width. Larger, six-piston Brembo front brakes go along with wider wheels and tires. There are also suspension upgrades. Altogether, Dodge claims, you'll get a 2 second cut on your lap times compared to a non-Widebody version on a 2.1 mile road course.

Further down the range, the Challenger R/T and new Challenger GT RWD get performance suspension and enhanced steering as standard. There are 20-inch Granite Crystal pained wheels, paddle shifters for the auto-equipped cars, and a performance hood and front splitter. Inside, there are Houndstooth cloth sports seats.

The Performance Handling Group option adds enhanced brakes to both cars. On the Challenger R/T it also upgrades the springs, sway bars, Bilstein shocks, bushings, and mounts. A Performance Plus Package on that car includes 20 x 9.5-inch forged wheels with 275/40ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero tires, a limited-slip differential, and enhanced handling balance.

The new 2019 Challenger range will start to arrive in dealerships in Q4 2018. Pricing will be announced closer to that point.

Update: We've added live photos of the new 2019 Challenger models to the gallery below