We broke the news about SRT’s suspected Widebody Hellcat earlier this month and today Dodge affirmed the product plan today revealing important details at a long-lead press event at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, MI. The new Hellcat variant will fit into the line-up between the existing Hellcat and the new drag-oriented Demon. The SRT Hellcat Widebody Challenger will have an MSRP of $71,495 and add key features such as fender flares that add an extra 3.5 inches of width. These flares will house wider Pirelli P-Zero 305/35ZR20 tires on 20×11 “Devil’s Rim” split five-spoke wheels.
Why all the fuss over wide wheels and tires when the rest of the Hellcat remains for all intents the same? Sure, it looks bitchin, but it’s well known that much of the Hellcat’s performance envelop is held back not by its brakes, suspension, or even its powertrain, but by its relatively outgunned tire contact patch. Relative to the Hellcat’s mass, the smallish 275/40R20 tires on the standard Hellcat are simply overwhelmed. By scaling up the tire/road interface with a 305/35ZR20 tire, the straight-line, lateral, and braking acceleration are plussed-up significantly. According to SRT, the Hellcat’s 0-60 benchmark improves from 3.5 to 3.4 seconds and the quarter-mile e.t. from 11.2 to 10.9 seconds—all because of the wider tire. Although the Widebody Hellcat’s Brembo-sourced brake package remains the same as existing Hellcats, the wider tire will significantly bolster braking performance—perhaps the single most important area of improvement.
The Hellcat Widebody will be available in 15 exterior colors including the new F8 Green. Production of the 2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody begins later this summer with deliveries to SRT dealers in the third quarter.
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