With the Demon being in production for only a year, Dodge wasn’t just going to give up on its 840 horsepower engine. Instead, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody comes out with the same powertrain with only a bit less power. But power isn’t its only highlight, the suspension is too. The Redeye’s suspension is tuned for the handling instead of straight line speed giving the driver a much different experience from the Demon. At the same time, the Widebody trim further improves traction making the Redeye one of the best handling Challengers to date. The 2019 model year also brought along the most significant update since the Hellcat went on sale and it included slight renovations to the exterior, new software and some minor new details inside. With everything put together, the 2019 Redeye Widebody was the Challenger flagship at the time and thanks to Dodge lowering the Hellcat’s prices for 2019, it wasn’t absurdly expensive either. But before we discover how the prices hold up today and what each of the changes and improvements include, check out the ones currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
Ever since it came out in 2015, the Challenger Hellcat was offered with a manual transmission which made it the most powerful car you could still have with a manual transmission. And while the Demon, on which the Redeye was based on, never got one, the Redeye did which again, which made it take the title from the standard Hellcat. U fortunately, the manual transmission would be discontinued In 2022 which leaves the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody as one of the few model years to combine the Demon engine with the Tremec six speed manual. Coupled with the fact that the Redeye has nearly 800 horsepower and it quickly becomes one of the most unique cars made in the past decade and for decades to come by the looks of it. Even more interestingly, all of that is packed in the same platform as the early 2000s E-Class. Of course, the power and transmission aren’t the only things that made the Hellcat special, its retro styling did as well which it pulled off better than most modern cars. That’s part of the reason why Dodge sold hundreds of thousands of Challengers and over 40,000 Hellcats.
With the new update, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody gained even more tech features such as line lock for easier burnouts and launch assistant to prevent wheel hop. On top of that, the Hellcat Redeye still retains the 100+ different drivetrain live data configurations which are not only useful, but endlessly fun for the driving geeks out there. New gauge cluster graphics were also added with numbers curving together with the dial rims giving a nice retro touch in the interior as well. Also, the Redeye gets a 220 mph speedometer and gray Hellcat logo graphics in the gauge cluster, both of which distinguish it from the regular Hellcat. To further instill the sense of the Hellcat being a driver oriented car, the dashboard is angled toward the driver while the material options range from cloth to different leather and alcantara combinations in numerous different colors. Overall, the Hellcat had one of the highest quality interiors of any Dodge product of the time even though it was still not as premium as some of its European rivals.
Even though all Challengers look quite menacing, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is the most hardened looking one ever. Its huge fender flares add 3.5 inches to the overall width which is more than enough to make difference. And the fact that they protrude so much gives the Redeye Widebody a much more muscular look than the narrow body. Together with the fender flares, the front splitter becomes wider as well giving it a vintage race car look which is always a plus. The 2019 update also brought along a new hood with dual snorkels reminiscent of the old 1970 Dodge Dart and 1971 Dodge Demon. The black ducktail trunk spoiler is also a bit longer while the wheels remain the same double five spokes as they were on all previous Widebodies. And we have to mention the signature headlight intakes which did remain the same, but are one of the most unique design choices on any modern car.
Apart from the Demon and Demon 170, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is the fastest, and certainly the fastest on a track even besides the two. That’s down to new, thicker anti roll bars both front and rear, plus stiffer Bilstein dampers that come with three settings. Brakes are just as big of a factor as the Redeye gets six piston calipers up front instead of four pistons, and while the rotors are the same 15.4 inches in diameter, they are now floating on the Redeye for better heat dissipation. Moreover, the Widebody trim includes wider 305 section tires instead of 275 and the 1.6” wider track up front and 2” wider at the rear further helps with cornering speeds. Now for the big one, the engine. The Redeye gets the exact same engine as the Demon with a 2.7 liter supercharger, improved oiling system and high speed valve train but it now makes 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to sling shot the 4,500 pound Redeye to 60 in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed had also been improved from 195 mph to 202 making it the only Challenger Hellcat to break 200 mph after the Demon was discontinued.
Being one of the ultimate Hellcats it’s not surprising that the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody is gaining value. Not too long ago Redeyes with around 20,000 miles were going for around $55,000 to $60,000 while those with less than 10,000 miles fetched up to $70,000. However, such examples have just recently started breaking $80,000 and considering the model has been discontinued, chances are the prices will keep rising.
With nearly 800 horsepower and the ultimate handling suspension setup, the Redeye Widebody will remain one of the most sought after Hellcats that had ever been made. That’s even more true for the examples ordered with a manual transmission which will likely become appealing not only to muscle car enthusiasts, but to all petrol heads who love driving. Since now is the time to buy one, doing so through Exotic Car Trader is one of your best options out there. Exotic Car Trader includes escrow protection, delivery and first inspection just to name a few perks, making the process as safe and convenient as it gets. The same goes if you are looking to sell a car with Exotic Car Trader in which case you get a professional photographer at your door regardless of which state you live in.
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