Dodge Hellcat Widebody

A hint of Demon actually helps tame the wild Hellcat

- Brian Makse

WHILE SRT’s designers and engineers were busy developing the earth-scorching Demon, they also discovered some of the necessary changes could translate to the more ‘tame’ Hellcat. And thus the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Wide body is born.

After transferring the Demon’s 9cm-wider bodywork, the increased width gives the Challenger SRT Hellcat Wide body a distinctive presence. That width lends a proper broad shouldered look suited to a muscle car with 700-horses in the old money. Subtle in some colours, but downright menacing in black.

The new flares aren’t riveted on in the traditional JDM style, but carefully shaped and properly manufactured. Even the American-spec side markers are shaped to flow into the new wings. The Demon’s wider splitter is another carry-over to the Wide body.

While the Demon rolls on 18-inch drag-spec wheels and tyres, the Hellcat Wide body isn’t so constrained. Engineers were allowed to use all the newfound width under those wings.

There’s an all-new 20-inch wheel design that’s a huge 11-inches wide. Mark Trostle, head of Performance Vehicle Exterior Design, is known to enjoy washing his own cars, and every shape is important, including the wheels. Thus, the design of the new wheel is not just attractive, but open and accessible for those who wash their own.