Over the years there had been numerous different Hellcat iterations with varying suspension, tire and brake setups, as well as with different power outputs and inherent purposes. Of all those different iterations, the 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is the most well rounded as it handles better than any other model while also accelerating almost as well as the Demon since the two share the same engine although the Redeye makes a smidge less power. The Widebody package is in part what improves the handling thanks to more traction, but Dodge also thoroughly retuned the suspension for better handling instead of straight line speed. At the same time, the Redeye loses almost none of the comfort the lesser models enjoy making it just as good on public roads. Moreover, Dodge gave all Hellcats a major update in 2019 which the 2020 model includes. But before we break down all the improvements one by one and all the innovations the 2019 update brought, we invite you to check out the models currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
The original Hellcat which came out in 2015 took the world by storm. Not only did it bring one of the most major facelifts the Challenger had ever seen, but it also brought the power it always deserved. As a matter of fact, its 707 horsepower was a higher output than any muscle car of its time, but also higher than most supercars and even hypercars. Moreover, the Hellcat still had a starting price that was significantly lower than that of sports cars with half the performance. As such, the Hellcat was bound for success and Dodge ended up selling over 40,000 units between 2015 and 2023. And given its success, the most natural thing Dodge could do is double down on the winning recipe, and that was more power. So, in 2018, an even more powerful, drag-ready, Demon was unveiled boasting 840 horsepower. And as it went out of production just a year later, that same engine found its way into the Redeye which would remain in production until 2023 when the entire Challenger lineup was discontinued.
For the 2020 model year, the Hellcat didn’t get any major updates as far as the interior goes. The leather packages included additional stitching on the dashboard and the door trim, and while that certainly made the interior look more premium, not all models got the same treatment. Apart from that, the 2019 and 2020 models are largely the same. But the 2019 model year did bring some innovations. For one, the 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody now includes dark interior trim as standard and the gauge cluster includes new Hellcat badges. As far as technology goes, launch assist was added to help prevent wheel hop, and so was line lock for easier and more efficient burnouts. Other than that, the Redeye gets a bespoke gauge cluster graphics that show up when starting the engine. And that’s about where the changes end. The interior does look somewhat outdated by today’s standards, but no Hellcat buyer will mind that. Especially not with hundreds of different drivetrain live data configurations they can geek out over.
The exterior saw much more substantial changes over years compared to the interior. One of the biggest improvements came with the 2019 update which brought the twin snorkel hood that looked miles more aggressive than before, and was also fully functional adding another ten horsepower to the standard Hellcat thanks to improved cooling. Moreover, the Widebody trim which adds 3.5 inches to the overall width makes the 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody look like an old school race car. The aggressive and wider front splitter also adds to that same look. As for the 2020 model year, it brought along a new wheel design for the Redeye. The new wheels were still double five spokes but were now concave and had a more contemporary design. All Redeyes also get bespoke wing badges and the wider wheels and tires certainly add to the overall aesthetic. All these changes give the Redeye Widebody the meanest and most masculine look of any other Challenger to date.
The 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is dangerously close to the Demon in terms of performance even though it’s less powerful and tuned for the track. But then it makes sense as the Redeye gets the same 2.7 liter supercharger as well as all the valve train, cooling and oil system improvements. The two engines are literally the same and the only reason the Redeye makes less power is because of the twin snorkel hood which is more restrictive. That said, the Redeye still makes 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with the wider rear tires the Widebody trims include, and the 0-60 time goes down to 3.4 seconds, and even at that point, traction is still the only limiting factor. At the same time, the top speed goes from 196 mph to 203 mph for the Widebody making it one of the few Hellcats to break the 200 mph mark. And let’s remember that the Redeye still weighs over 4,500 lbs which is about the same as most modern SUVs like the BMW X5. But the changes don’t end there as the Redeye keeps the six piston front calipers and the floating rotors unlike the Demon, plus it gets stiffer anti roll bars front and rear, as well as different Bilstein dampers optimized for handling. All these changes coupled with a 1.6” wider front track and 2” wider rear track make the Redeye Widebody the fastest Hellcat around a racing track.
With a starting price of $79,000, the 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody was $17,000 more expensive than the base Hellcat. But with all the improvements, it was worth every penny. And buyers on the used market recognize that even today which is why the 2020 Redeye Widebody can still fetch up to $80,000 in 2024. Examples with a bit more miles will usually go for $55,000 to $65,000 while high mileage troopers have fairly unpredictable prices. And while the prices may seem high, the Redeye does represent the pinnacle of one of the most iconic cars made in the past decade, coupled with the fact it’s been discontinued, and the prices will hardly drop to an affordable level.
At the end of the day, the 2020 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody has more than enough power to scare even the most experienced drivers. But at the same time, it keeps its composure better than any other Hellcat to help keep the driver out of trouble. It’s also the most powerful Hellcat that’s not tuned for the drag strip making it that much more special. Lastly, if you are looking to buy a Hellcat or any other luxury vehicle, consider doing so with the help of Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection just to name a few advantages, Exotic Car Trader makes the process both safe and convenient. The same goes if you sell a car through Exotic Car Trader or even trade it with one of our current clients.
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