Skip to main content

Inspired by a WWII fighter, the 805-hp Hellcat X makes the original look tame

Long before the Dodge Challenger Hellcat took the automotive world by storm, another Hellcat ruled the skies. In the later stages of WWII, the carrier-based Grumman F6F Hellcat was the Navy’s dominant fighter, using a combination of a 2000-horsepower engine and Browning machine guns to combat the legendary Mitsubishi Zero in the Pacific Theater.

An experimental prototype called the XF6F added even more speed to the aircraft, adding supercharger and turbocharger technology to the 18-cylinder powerplant for maximum power. The XF6F-6 was the fastest version of the Hellcat, and could top 417 mph under the right conditions.

Recommended Videos

A new muscle car has been revealed by an organization called Dream Giveaway, and it takes cues from that very flying machine. Starting with the base Challenger Hellcat, the company contracted Walsh Motorsports to add two turbochargers to the supercharged 6.2-liter V8, culminating in a total power output of 805 hp and 800 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the standard car — which already accomplishes the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds on stock tires — those are improvements of 98 hp and 150 lb-ft.

Why? Besides the obvious answer (why not?), the car is being raffled for charity. Dream Giveaway supports several organizations including New Beginning Children’s Homes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Disabled American Veterans, and more, and tickets are just $3 each.

If your number is pulled from the proverbial bucket, you’ll win the tire-shredding beast shown above, but that’s just the start. You’ll also get a 1970 Challenger 440 R/T, complete with a 375-hp V8 and a pistol grip four-speed manual … for comparison purposes. Oh, and an extra $40,000.

Related: Two Hellcats and a Viper whip up a smoky cocktail in Dodge’s ‘Predators’ ad

Along with more forced induction than a B-17 Flying Fortress, the X also features some unique styling enhancements that differentiate it from the regular Hellcat. Aviation-inspired aluminum air extractors, a center hood scoop, an accented front grille surround, and a decklid spoiler are the highlights, but with this much power on board, making yourself known shouldn’t be a problem.

Enter to win a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Here! 

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
We just got a hopeful update on the second season of ‘Black Doves’
The show follows a pair of spies on a revenge mission
Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw in Black Doves

Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw might be back for more spying in the near future. The two actors, who starred together in Netflix's Black Doves, seem likely to be back for a second season of the series. That makes sense, given that the show has been hovering in Netflix's Top 10 ever since it was first released.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, show creator Joe Barton, said that the show's staff is full steam ahead on a second season.

Read more
Could the new ‘Superman’ movie save the DC universe?
This new movie looks a lot brighter and more colorful than Zack Snyder's take
David Corenswet in Superman

As an early Christmas present, we got our very first look at James Gunn's new Superman, which is set to hit theaters on July 11. The first trailer, which signals a pretty radical departure from Zack Snyder's version of the character.

The responses to the trailer online have been largely positive, with many noticing how vibrant and colorful the film looks, and also taking note of its use of John Williams's original Superman theme, which has been repurposed here for electric guitar.

Read more
‘Squid Game’ debuts a new Google-based game ahead of season 2
The game replicates the 'red light, green light' game from the first season
Squid Game Season 2 Teaser

The second season of Netflix's Squid Game, which was a massive phenomenon following its first season, is finally almost here. Now, ahead of the second season's release on Dec. 26, Googling Squid Game will get you a fun way to pass a few minutes.

Netflix partnered with Google on the game, which will appear if you tap the brown envelope that appears on the bottom of the screen. The game is a replication of the "red light, green light" came from the show's first season. By pressing the blue circles, you advance six players in pink suits while Young-Hee's head is turned. Your players must stop before she turns around, and if they don't one of them will be eliminated. Thankfully, they don't get brutally shot down and left to lay there like they do on the show.

Read more