By the time the year 2021 came around, we have pretty much gotten used to the Hellcat and its power. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive, especially not the Hellcat Redeye with as much horsepower as flagship Ferraris and Lamborghinis. That said, Hellcats have mostly been one trick ponies as it felt most comfortable on a drag strip or any stretch of road that doesn’t demand from the driver to turn the steering wheel. And even though that’s to be expected from a car that costs four times less than what it should if we only look at the horsepower, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is a bit different. Besides substantially more power than the standard model, the Redeye also gets extensive suspension modifications to make it work better on a race track or winding roads. That essentially makes it the fastest Challenger ever if we compare their lap times. Moreover, the 2021 model includes all the updates the Hellcat ever got as 2020 marked the last one before it went out of production. But before we go into more detail on what those updates include and how Dodge tweaked the Redeye’s suspension, check out the ones currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The 2008 Challenger gave a lot of old names a place they deserved like Hemi, R/T and even SRT, and that’s a classic muscle car in the true sense of the word. Its retro styling was less different from the original Challenger than the modern 911s are different from those made in the ‘60s, and at the same time, it wasn’t aiming at the European sports car segment like its rivals did. Instead, it was the most authentic modern muscle car experience made in the past few decades. But compared to the original Challengers, some of which boasted over 400 horsepower, the modern one was always a bit conservative when it comes to numbers. Well, until the Hellcat was unveiled and with its 707 horsepower it broke the automotive world and the internet. The Hellcat essentially set a benchmark for what an American muscle car could be and was often compared with cars three or four times its price. All this publicity helped Dodge sell over 40,000 examples which is more than impressive considering what it was all about. And over the years, it would grow even more muscle with the Demon coming out with 840 horsepower and later the Demon 170 with over 1,000. The 2021 Redeye sat right below the two in terms of power but it was also the best all-rounder. Unfortunately, with Stellantis moving Dodge in the EV direction, there won’t be a car quite like the Hellcat any time soon.
After the 2015 Challenger update which included the introduction of the first Hellcat, the interior didn’t change much over the years. However, Dodge always included a ton of customization options with different materials and color combinations. Everything from cloth, alcantara and leather to different combinations of the three and in numerous different colors. That said, it’s probably for the best that the interior remains simple because it won’t become severely outdated any time soon. The infotainment system features a decent sized screen with more live data drivetrain configurations than virtually any car ever made. At the same time, the gauge cluster features another 7” screen which is competitive even today. As for Redeye, it gets a bespoke animation on that gauge cluster screen featuring a different background behind the Hellcat which also gets red eyes. Other than that, the interior is simple and functional, in addition to having a few retro design cues sprinkled around which is always a plus.
There is no denying that the Hellcat’s exterior always looked mean and masculine, but by the time the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye rolled off the production line, it looked more mature and complete than ever. One of the biggest reasons behind that is the new hood all Hellcats got in 2019. The hood now featured a double intake which balanced the front look but also made it look even more sinister than before. The signature headlight intakes remained which instantly became its signature design cue in 2015. Redeyes also got new wheels after 2020 which were still double five spokes but were now more concave and more modern looking. Bespoke wing badges were also reserved for the Redeye making it easier to distinguish from the standard model. At the back, the Redeye gets a more angled trunk lid spoiler while the rest of the design remains the same.
The 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye gets the exact same engine found in the Demon. That means the biggest supercharger ever fitted to a production car, plus an improved valve train, lubrication system, and cooling. The result is 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. And the only reason it makes less power than the Demon is because the hood vents are more restrictive. Still, that power output is still not reached by entry level supercars from. Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren. All that power goes through an 8 speed automatic transmission only in 2021, although the manual did make a return in 2023. Still, the transmission is what helps the Redeye sprint to 60 in just 3.4 seconds, plus onto a top speed of 203. And even though the Redeye still weighs around 4,500 pounds, it handles its weight better than any other Hellcat. That’s thanks to bespoke Bilstein dampers tuned for handling of comfort or the drag strip, plus significantly thicker anti roll bars both front and rear.
With a starting price of $76,000, the 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye sat right in the middle of the Hellcat lineup. And while the prices are holding up, they have come down quite a bit from the original MSRP. Today, in 2024, a used 2021 Redeye with around 10,000 miles will usually go for around $65,000 to $70,000. Those with higher mileage will drop down to $55,000 to $60,000 but such examples don’t come up so often as it’s barely three years old.
The 2021 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye will remain one of the most sought after Hellcat models and quickly becomes a classic just like the first generation Challengers. At the same time, it’s also one of the best handling Hellcats ever made, second only to the Redeye Widebody, plus with all the updates, it’s one of the best models you can buy even today. Once you are ready to park one in your own garage, consider doing so with the help of Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection among other perks, Exotic Car Trader makes the process both safe and convenient. Even selling a car through Exotic Car Trader can be done almost entirely online with the exception of having to greet a professional photographer at your door.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
