Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

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

By

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
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Will there be a fourth season of ‘The White Lotus?’
The show's third season will be set in Thailand, and is set to premiere in early 2025.
Theo James and Meghann Fahy in White Lotus

The White Lotus was one of the biggest surprises in HBO's recent history. The series was initially devised as a self-contained story that could be filmed in compliance with COVID, and it's since become one of the most popular series in the company's repertoire. We already know that a third season is on the way and will feature another star-studded cast, but what about a potential season 4?

According to reporting in Variety, a fourth season of the show is percolating at HBO, but it hasn't officially been announced yet. “Mike, obviously — if he wants to move forward and do the four seasons — he will do the fourth season,” HBO head Casey Bloys said.

Read more
Denis Villeneuve says he ‘absolutely believes’ in ‘Dune: Messiah’ as he develops the script
The exact timing for the potential trilogy capper remains under wraps.
Timothee Chalamet in Dune Part 2

Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Dune has been more successful than many who have loved the Frank Herbert novel for decades could have dreamed. Dune: Part 1 was nominated for a bunch of Oscars and won a couple, and Part 2 seems to be on a similar trajectory, and also far outgrossed the first installment.

Villeneuve has promised that he will return to the world of Dune one more time to adapt Herbert's sequel, Dune: Messiah, but we don't know exactly when that movie might be coming. In a recent interview with Deadline to discuss Part 2, Villeneuve was hesitant to say too much about the upcoming third installment.

Read more
Will Max’s new thriller Duster be your next must-watch show?
J.J. Abrams' newest thriller is coming soon
duster season 1 lost star josh holloway at the 64th annual golden globe

Max has become the home to some of the most fascinating and innovative shows on TV. Fans can trust that the HBO-affiliated streamer has tons of originals and plenty of old favorites from trusted creators, and that trend will continue with their newest offering titled Duster. This thriller comes from the mind of the esteemed J.J. Abrams and stars his fellow Lost alum, Josh Holloway, as a getaway driver who must use his skills for the good of the government when the first Black female FBI agent in American history asks him for her help (the agent will be played by Rachel Hilson). The show is a period piece taking place in the 1970s. It hasn't been revealed how any of the main events of the decade will be incorporated into the plot of the series.

Like a lot of shows that have been teased for the coming months, Duster doesn't have a lot of concrete details out in the open yet. The project has been ongoing for quite some time and was delayed during the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, but a recent teaser trailer has hinted that Duster should finally arrive at an unspecified point in 2025. Here is everything we know so far about Duster.
Who is starring in Duster on Max?

Read more