A new widebody trim level will be added to the Challenger Hellcat lineup for the 2018 model year.

 

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody upper front 3/4 view

2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

Yearning for a Hellcat with better track performance? If so, there was good news for you coming out of Auburn Hills this week, as Dodge announced that those big fender flares first seen on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be available on a special model of the Challenger SRT Hellcat.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody fender flare and alloy wheel detail

Dubbed the Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, the new-for-2018 model will come with model-specific 20 x 11-inch "Devil's Rim" split-five spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero tires. To accommodate the extra-wide rubber, the very same fender flares found on the Demon will be added to the Hellcat's body, increasing overall width by 3.5 inches.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody rear 3/4 view

According to Dodge, in addition to its "more menacing stance," the wider wheels and tires improve the Hellcat's lap times, lateral grip, acceleration, and braking, with the following improvements:

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody cold air intake detail

• Road course lap time (on a 1.7-mile track) lowered by approximately 2 seconds per lap - approximately 13 car lengths after one lap
• Quarter mile elapsed time improved by approximately .3 sec (10.9 in Widebody vs. 11.2 in standard Hellcat)
• Lateral skid pad grip up by .04 g (.97 g in Widebody vs. .93 g in standard Hellcat)
• 0-60 mph acceleration improved by .1 second (3.4 in Widebody vs. 3.5 in standard Hellcat)
• Top speed of 195 mph

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody front fascia detail

In addition to the wheel, tire, and fender flare upgrades, all 2018 Hellcat Widebody models with come standard with a new electric power steering system with driver-selectable settings for Street, Sport, and Track. According to Dodge, the new system offers better steering feel as well as reduced turning effort at low speeds.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody rear spoiler badge detail

Additional model enhancements include:

• Revised front side marker lights styled to flow with the shape of the fender flares
• A front splitter shared with the Demon model
• A new Hellcat-exclusive grille and fender badges (shared with the regular Hellcat)
• Raised SRT Hellcat badge on the rear spoiler (shared with the regular Hellcat)
• New red Hellcat instrument panel badge (shared with the regular Hellcat)

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody cynamic front 3/4 view

Oh, and one more thing: all Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody customers will receive one full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, located in Chandler, Arizona.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody headlamp and air intake detail

2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody pricing, colors, and availability

The 2018 SRT Hellcat Widebody has a starting MSRP of $72,590 (including a $1,700 gas guzzler tax and $1,095 destination charge). Available colors include B5 Blue (late availability), Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green (late availability), Go Mango, Granite Crystal, IndiGo Blue (late availability), Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy (late availability), Redline Tri-Coat, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody front 3/4 dusk view

Production of the new Hellcat Widebody model begins later this summer, with deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers beginning in the third quarter of 2017.