The Handbook Dodge Challenger Hellcat Is Again for 2023

There’s no getting round the truth that something with a Hellcat badge on it is dumb. In fact, there are totally different sorts of dumb, and the Hellcats are the easiest form which is a mixture of pointless in fashionable society and but so completely crammed with goofy pleasure that you must like it. The issue with the Hellcat Challenger, particularly, is that should you needed one with a handbook transmission, you’re out of luck.

Solely now, in accordance with a report revealed on Wednesday by Automotive & Driver, that’s not the case. By that, I imply that Stellantis is bringing the six-speed handbook transmission again to the Challenger for the 2023 mannequin yr after quietly killing it someday in 2021. Dodge’s purpose for killing the handbook possibility was one thing nebulous to do with energy calibrations, however no matter these points have been, they’re sorted now.

The Tremec six-speed is the usual transmission on R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat fashions however isn’t out there on any of the spicier infernal feline fashions just like the Tremendous Inventory, the Jailbreak or the Purple Eye. These are all nonetheless solely out there with the eight-speed TorqueFlite computerized, which is ok as a result of 717 horsepower is lots to handle all by yourself.

“Nearly as good as the automated is, I actually simply needed to maximise that visceral muscle automotive expertise, and I believe the handbook gearbox is a giant a part of that,” stated Bradley Iger, automotive journalist and handbook Hellcat proprietor. “I used to be by no means actually involved about having the quickest factor on the market; it was extra in regards to the enjoyable issue of driving one thing that’s involving but additionally sort of unhinged. To me, that’s all the time been the allure of the Hellcat.”

So, should you’re the sort of wild-ass horsepower junkie who needs to purchase a handbook Challenger Hellcat, this can be a nice day. It’s unclear how a lot the handbook 2023 Challenger will price, however on condition that it’s the bottom transmission on the bottom Hellcat, we’d ballpark round $70,000. If you’d like one, you higher act shortly, although, as a result of the Hellcat occasion is winding down.

We reached out to Stellantis’ U.S. arm for remark however didn’t hear again in time for publication.