Zac Quinn 
Rumors have been floating around the internet with claims that Dodge is working on one final Hellcat car that could be the most powerful production vehicle to date, and appeared to tease them during Speed Week. Those rumors state that this car will run on an E85 ethanol-gasoline blend. In addition, it will produce around 900 horsepower, but how?
Rumors have floated around for some time that the Hellephant Hemi crate engine would be offered in a production car. However, engineers were quick to point out that the 426-cubic inch, 1,000-horsepower Hemi wouldn’t meet the federal regulations for production road use in a new car, let alone emission standards in states that use California emission rules (CARB). As pointed out by StellPower, the Hellephant is out of the picture for the Dodge Charger and Challenger, although some components might not be.
Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellephant Supercharger: Details
The Hellephant Hemi crate engine features a 3.0-liter IHI supercharger, which plays a vital role in the V8 delivering 1,000 horsepower. The original Hellcats rely on a 2.4-liter supercharger, while the Demon and Redeye come with a 2.7-liter one. That added displacement brings about 90 more HP than the standard Hellcat cars. Since the Hellephant’s supercharger offers the same displacement, it’s reasonable to think that adequately tuning a 6.2-liter Hemi with the 3.0L supercharger would comfortably make around 900 ponies.
While more power wouldn’t be an issue for customers, more power does mean that regulatory issues relating to fuel economy and emission levels would become a problem. Unfortunately, EPA is good at causing headaches for automakers when they care about something. For example, Direct Connection stage kits are delayed as the EPA is working to restrict power levels in street cars. That is where the E85 rumor comes into play. An E85 engine creates less harmful tailpipe emissions, meaning it may pass emission testing in the strictest states. However, that comes at a cost to fuel economy numbers.
We know that Dodge is working on one final beast for the Dodge Charger and Challenger, and while it won’t have the rumored 426 Hemi, it may have the biggest production supercharger of any modern Mopar machine. But ultimately, it’ll come down to whether or not this mysterious creation will meet the key state and federal emission regulations. But Dodge is trying to deliver one more legendary car before batteries become the new standard.
Leave it up to Little Timmy to screw this up too. Cost so-called “Power Broker” dealers $ Millions to train techs and convert service departments to provide these new “Direct Connection” packages that will never come to fruition. Great job L.T!