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FCA To Ramp Up Production Of Hellcat V8s To Meet Demand – And Possibly For An Upcoming Jeep?


FCA To Ramp Up Production Of Hellcat V8s To Meet Demand – And Possibly For An Upcoming Jeep?

Well, if this isn’t good news, then I just don’t know what is. In an interview with Automotive NewsDodge/SRT CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted that the company is going to ramp up production of the supercharged 6.2L V8 that powers the unbelievable Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat twins. While he didn’t admit how many more would be made, the company has already sold about 4,000 of the cars, well above initial guesses.

In current form, the 707hp V8 has been nothing short of a bomb blast in the muscle car world, catching both Ford and Chevrolet by surprise. Ford’s response has been two-fold, with the GT350/GT350R track cars and a partnership with Shelby American that creates a 750hp monster out of the Mustang GT. Chevrolet, meanwhile, is getting the sixth-generation Camaro going, so it will be a bit before we know if GM is going to fire back. In the meantime, the rumors surrounding a third Hellcat-powered vehicle keep spinning. It is expected to be the Jeep Grand Cherokee “Trackhawk” SUV that is aimed at upper-end premium sport SUVs. While I personally lament that there is no 300C SRT, Jeep has market appeal and a strong lineup of SRT-branded Grand Cherokees that have sold fairly well for the company. It should also be noted that FCA is struggling to keep up with demand for Scat Pack 392 cars as well. According to Kuniskis, Scat Packs are on a zero-day turnaround…or, in regular English, they’re sold the second they roll off the assembly line.

When the Hellcats were announced, speculation was that it would be a limited-production piece that would wind up like the Buick GNX, shuttled away into a garage for a long nap before waking up to go across an auction block. And while a few probably have met that fate, we’ve seen plenty more of them out doing what they do best…burn rubber, plaster smiles on the faces of the lucky owner and scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting passengers.

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13 thoughts on “FCA To Ramp Up Production Of Hellcat V8s To Meet Demand – And Possibly For An Upcoming Jeep?

  1. Nick D.

    The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk ought to be sufficiently insane. Wonder if it will get de-rated to keep the AWD alive. There also maybe a Hellcat Ram in the future too. In an interview, when asked about such a possibility, their response was “Not at this current point in time”. Then when asked about maybe in the future, the response was still “Not at this current point in time.”

  2. Bryan McTaggart Post author

    A lot of the rumors seem to agree that it will be de-rated, citing either “refinement” or more likely, to give the AWD system a chance at life.

  3. ColoradoKid

    Yeah yeah yeah . Once again Mctaggert falls for the manufactures Hype & Hyperbole Hook , Line & Sinker ! Or should that be ‘ stinker ‘ ?

    Here’s the ‘ facts ‘ . Hellcar sales have been … disappointing to say the least according to the NADA etc . FCA has already slowed the lines down twice in order to have production meet the lagging demand . FCA is desperate to move the Hellcat sub brand forward hence the rumors of a JEEP Hellcat [ that should be interesting seeing as how the JEEP Grand Cherokee is nothing more than a de-contented Mercedes ML Class of which FCA is on the last cycle of because Daimler Benz has said no more ]

    Add to the fact that every Hellcat independently tested [ e.g. off the showroom floor … not a highly modified ‘ Press Car ‘ version ] has never matched or even come close to the mythical numbers FCA puts out

    And the reality that the ONLY ,, and I do mean O-N-L-Y division of FCA that can be considered even remotely successful albeit still not profitable is ..

    JEEP

    So stack the facts up Jack and the only conclusion one can draw is … Marchionne’s March Hare Madness marches ever onwards … with the press following in lock step like the children behind the Pied Piper down Alice’s rabbit hole of self delusion .

    But hey .. y’all keep on believing the myth ,trusting the rhetoric and ignoring the obvious . Lets see how well that works out for you . And err … Mctaggert ? Once again the Don Draper quote/paraphrase ;

    ” Every time we get involved with an auto manufacture its like doing business with a whorehouse ”

    Think about it ! Your ethics and self worth really worth sacrificing on the Corporate Alter for a few shekels of silver in the short run ?

    1. loren

      ,zzz…

      A friend reports that the “facts” in the actual world are, he still can’t get a Hellcat without having to be the high bidder at the dealer so I guess they’re doing fine. The Scat Paks are a little more available, since he’s looking for a daily driver right now that may be the choice instead.

      We knew such a package would always be time-consuming to put together, may or may-not make a profit, and be appropriately scheduled in production but would really take the shine off competitors’ products and help bring people to the Chrysler shop. I think I now see more Challengers and Chargers of all types around here than BMWs…incredible, never thought that would happen. Yeah, FCA.

      As far as big HP in a SUV Jeep goes, it sounds like lawsuit-bait to me. Not wise.

      1. Nick D.

        I think I’ve seen more Hellcats than the 660hp GT500s and one has been around a while longer than the other.

    2. jeff

      I see lots of claims…but no proof. You’re always blowing about this and that…but never citing credible evidence other than your own delusions. Do us all (and your integrity) a favor and post a few links to back up your claims of lagging sales, low performance numbers, etc. Thanks.

    3. Bryan McTaggart Post author

      Considering I’ve seen Hellcat Chargers and Challengers run the numbers at Beech Bend with my own eyes (check the coverage of Challengerfest 6 from earlier this year) coupled with Lohnes’ time with a 6M Challenger Hellcat, I think my ethics are just fine, thank you. And leave the whorehouse out of it, please…I told my mother I’m playing piano in one, and I’m afraid that she might actually show up one night.

  4. mooseface

    I think I’d rather see RAM roll out a new Rumble Bee or Little Red Wagon before a SportsJeep. Crossovers are just too lukewarm and marginal to begin with, then add gobs of horsepower and torque? Naw, that’s CV-cracking, diff-smashing rollover bait.
    The AAM and ZF hardware RAM uses can take the strain, hot trucks are a hoot at the strip, and there’s history to play with here. I really think that these V8s are going to end up in a half-ton.

  5. ColoradoSquid

    Well my brothers friends sisters girlfriend said she knows a guy who’s moms boyfriends cousin said they are junk though he never actually drove one.

  6. Colorado Sid

    Those Hellycats really suck bad. And if I had the money to replace my 2003 Neon I’d never EVER consider getting one.

  7. 75Duster

    The usual ColoradoKid writing shit about a HellCat Mopar which he knows nothing about.
    Why don’t you put your Mercedes SUV up against the Hell Cat ColoradoKid?
    Myself and many others on the forum would like to see you back up your “credibility “.

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