Does a Hellcat have a clutch?
No—the modern Hellcat does not have a clutch pedal. It uses an 8-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8HP90) with a torque converter and paddle shifters.
The Hellcat lineup—including the Challenger SRT Hellcat, Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, Charger SRT Hellcat, and Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye—relies on an automatic transmission in the latest model years. Dodge has not offered a factory manual option for these high-performance variants, so drivers interact with gears through the accelerator, a steering-wheel paddle shifter setup, and selectable drive modes rather than a clutch pedal.
Transmission setup in Hellcat models
Here is a concise overview of how the Hellcat’s transmission works in practice.
- 8-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8HP90) designed for rapid, high-performance shifts.
- Paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow manual-style gear selection even though there is no clutch pedal.
- No factory manual option has been offered for Challenger SRT Hellcat or Charger SRT Hellcat models in standard production.
- Power output varies by model (e.g., ~707 hp for Hellcat and up to ~797 hp for the Redeye variants), but all rely on the same automatic transmission architecture.
Key transmission details for Hellcat models:
In practice, these cars are driven with the transmission in Drive or Sport, with manual-style control via paddles rather than using a clutch pedal. This setup prioritizes track-oriented shifting accuracy, consistency, and launch performance for high horsepower applications.
Why there is no manual option
Dodge chose a robust automatic transmission platform for the Hellcat lineup to handle extreme torque reliably, optimize launches, and sustain high-speed shifting under demanding conditions. Manuals add complexity and weight that can complicate high-horsepower, all-around performance goals. Enthusiasts seeking a traditional clutch-driven experience typically look to other non-Hellcat Dodge models or older generations with factory manual options.
Summary
Short answer: No, a modern Hellcat does not use a manual clutch at the pedal. It relies on an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. This setup is designed for maximum acceleration and reliability under high torque, while Dodge has not offered a factory manual option for these models in recent years. If a clutch-driven experience is essential, consider non-Hellcat varieties or older manual-equipped models from earlier Dodge lineup years.
What kind of transmission do hellcats have?
TorqueFlite® eight-speed automatic transmission
Standard on the SRT® Hellcat Redeye Widebody is the TorqueFlite® eight-speed automatic transmission for a hell of a ride that improves performance and overall efficiency.
Do Hellcats have a clutch?
It's crazy too uh. You look on the forums. And different places and people really complain about this i mean people that baby their cars get you know 15,000 20,000 out of a stock clutch.
Does the Hellcat have a manual option?
Yes, some Dodge Hellcats come in manual transmission, specifically the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat model. While the manual option was temporarily paused, it was brought back for the 2023 model year, although it's a rare and difficult-to-find option. The manual is not available in the Charger, Redeye, or Super Stock trims.
You can watch this video to learn more about the manual transmission in a 2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat: 59sRaiti's RidesYouTube · Jan 16, 2024
- Availability: The manual transmission option returned for the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, but it was made available through the dealership order banks rather than the online configurator.
- Rarity: The manual transmission is considered a rare option, especially for the widebody models. For example, only 104 widebody Hellcats with a manual were produced in 2023.
- Transmission type: The manual transmission is a 6-speed Tremec gearbox, the same one used in the Dodge Viper.
- Performance: The manual transmission is aimed at enthusiasts who want a more engaging driving experience. The car also comes with a clutch pedal for heel-toe downshifting.
- Other models: A manual transmission is not an option for the Charger Hellcat, Redeye, or Super Stock models.
- How to find one: You may be able to find one through a dealership or on the used car market.
Is a Hellcat a manual or automatic?
Hellcats are available with both manual and automatic transmissions, though the automatic (an 8-speed) is more common. The 6-speed manual transmission has been offered on and off, with Dodge bringing it back for the 2023 model year after it was dropped for 2021 and 2022.
You can watch this video to see a manual Hellcat in action and hear the engine: 58sRaiti's RidesYouTube · Jun 1, 2025
- Automatic: The TorqueFlite® 8-speed automatic is the standard and is featured on models like the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.
- Manual: A 6-speed manual transmission is available, though it is less common. It was brought back for the 2023 model year after a brief discontinuation, and some models from earlier years also came with a manual.
