With Stellantis taking Dodge down the EV route, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody is one of the last model years made. And since no major updates came after 2020, it’s one of the most advanced ones as well. The revised exterior, interior, extra power and new tech features are enough to make the 2021 Hellcat much more desirable than the initial model years, while the Widebody package also adds to the appeal significantly. Not only does the Widebody package make the Hellcat better looking to most people, but since it also comes with wider tires and a wider track, it’s one of the best handling Hellcat iterations ever. Granted, the Widebody package does come with a few downsides as well. But before we go into more detail on what the Widebody package does for the Hellcat and what all of those earlier updates include, have a quick look at the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
While the automotive industry had died down during the nineties, it went through quite the renaissance in the early 2000s which culminated in the mid 2010s. And in the middle of an automotive industry where new supercars, sports and even manufacturers are popping up left and right, barely any other model had drawn in as much attention as the Hellcat. And how could it not. The Challenger’s retro styling remained true to the original model while the Hellcat gave it more power than most supercars had at the time. That was enough for the Hellcat to become a synonym for modern muscle cars which is quite impressive considering its competition. Between 2015 and 2023, Dodge ultimately sold over 40,000 Hellcats which is a significantly higher production number than those of the ZL1 and Shelby GT500 combined. How many of those were Widebodies is impossible to say, but it was the most popular package since it came out in 2019, even outselling the narrow body that same year. Unfortunately, all Hellcats went back to where they came from in 2023 and as of now, there are no signs that a new one will see the light of day any time soon.
The original Challenger interior didn’t look nearly special enough to complement its amazing exterior. Not only that, but virtually everything you see could be traced back to a different Chrysler model. However, in 2015 when the first Hellcat came out, the interior was thoroughly revised giving it a much more bespoke design the model deserved. From the retro gauge cluster and a huge lip over it, the design was reminiscent of the original Challenger. But at the same time, a huge 7” screen could also be found inside the gauge cluster apart from the main infotainment system. The Hellcat also got dozens of different configurable gadgets for both screens making it pretty modern at the same time. Moreover, numerous different alcantara, leather and cloth combinations were available in dozens of different colors which took the premium feel of the interior a few steps forward. As of 2019, all Hellcats got line lock and launch assist features as standard while after 2020, those with a leather package included additional stitching on the dashboard and door trim. In total, the interior is functional, interesting and even luxurious to a certain extent.
One of the biggest selling points of all Challengers was the styling which was nothing short of perfect right from the start. But with the introduction of the Hellcat, the Widebody and the 2019 update, it grew and improved in all the right places. And so, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody gains an extra 3.5 inches of width thanks to the fender flares, plus a new dual intakes hood. The fender flares alone improve the look tremendously as the Hellcat looks much more stable on its feet thanks to them. At the same time, the dual intakes hood balances the front end design which also features the intake headlights, a signature design cue for all Hellcats. The 2021 model also gets new wheel designs which on the Widebody are still double five spoke but this time they are much more concave and more contemporary looking. But the interesting details don’t stop there. The huge front splitter coupled with the trunk lid spoiler and fender flares all make the Hellcat look not just like a normal classic Challenger, but one that’s ready for circuit racing. As far as the cool factor goes, hardly anything can beat a Widebody Hellcat, especially one with dual racing stripes.
With 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody is more powerful than models that came before 2019. Not by much with only a ten horsepower improvement, but it’s an improvement nonetheless. But what makes the Widebody so much different from a regular Hellcat is the suspension and tire setup. The Widebody gets 305 section rear tires in place of 275 found on the narrow body. That’s enough to improve acceleration by 0.2 seconds for a 3.4 second 0-60 sprint. Furthermore, the front and rear tracks are wider by 1.6” and 2” respectively, coupled with slightly retuned Bilstein dampers, and the lateral G force improved by 0.04. And although the brake setup didn’t change, with six piston Brembo calipers and 15.7” floating rotors, it didn’t need to. However, the Widebody package does hurt the top speed putting it three mph below the narrow body at 195. But that’s a small price to pay for all the extra driving fun the Widebody provides.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody isn’t depreciating that quickly given that the model was recently discontinued. That said, the used prices have deflated to some degree and finding a Hellcat Widebody for around $60,000 isn’t that difficult. Still, those examples usually have over 30,000 miles and with a starting price of $71,000, depreciation is yet to go into full swing. At the same time, models with showroom miles still fetch $70,000, sometimes even $75,000 which goes to show that the Hellcat is bound to be a future classic.
For those who are looking to get the most out of the Challenger experience, a 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody remains one of the best ways to do it. With all the new tech features, better suspension, bigger tires and more power, the 2021 model is significantly more advanced than the first model years, and just as advanced as the last, 2023 model. The only downside is that the manual transmission wasn’t available in 2021. Lastly, if you are looking to get into a Hellcat or any other muscle car, supercar or luxury vehicle, consider buying it through Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection covered, the entire process is as safe and convenient as it gets with Exotic Car Trader. The same goes if you would like to use Exotic Car Trader to sell your current vehicle, or even trade it with one of our customers.
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