Home FAQ

How many gears are in a Hellcat?

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, a high-performance muscle car, comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which means it has 8 gears.

Detailed Explanation

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a powerful and iconic American muscle car, known for its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces an impressive 707 horsepower. This high-performance vehicle is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 8-speed automatic transmission used in the Hellcat is a TorqueFlite 8HP90 unit, developed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG. This transmission is designed to handle the immense power and torque of the Hellcat's engine, providing smooth and efficient power delivery.

The Benefits of an 8-Speed Transmission

The 8-speed automatic transmission in the Hellcat offers several advantages over a traditional 6-speed unit:

Improved Fuel Efficiency: The additional gears allow the engine to operate at lower rpm, reducing fuel consumption and improving overall fuel economy.

Quicker Acceleration: The close gear ratios of the 8-speed transmission enable faster, more responsive acceleration, allowing the Hellcat to unleash its immense power more effectively.

Smoother Performance: The increased number of gears provides a more seamless and refined driving experience, with fewer noticeable shifts during acceleration and deceleration.

The 8-speed automatic transmission in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a key component that helps this high-performance muscle car deliver an exhilarating driving experience while also maintaining respectable fuel efficiency.

Can a Hellcat go 200 mph?

Yes, a stock Dodge Hellcat can go 200 mph, with the Challenger and Charger models having a top speed of 203 mph. The Redeye version can go even faster, with a top speed of around 203 mph or more.

You can watch this video to see a Hellcat reaching 200 mph: 52sJosh LaurentYouTube · Feb 9, 2021

Stock Hellcat (Challenger and Charger): Has an official top speed of 203 mph.
Hellcat Redeye: Has a slightly higher top speed, with a speedometer that can go up to 220 mph.
Other Hellcat models: The Durango Hellcat has a lower top speed of 180 mph.

Is a Hellcat a V8 or V12?

Hellcat: The Apex of SRT
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat turn things up with a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V8 and up to 707 horsepower.

How many gears do Hellcats have?

To make the run even more impressive, Sipple's Challenger SRT Hellcat is also equipped with the factory ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, which is also a rarity among the modern Mopar® vehicles running quicker than 8.00.

Why are Hellcats banned?

Hellcats are not banned everywhere, but some models, specifically the high-performance versions of the Dodge Durango, are restricted or banned from sale in certain U.S. states due to strict emissions regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These states require vehicles to meet more stringent emissions standards, which the supercharged HEMI V8 engines in trims like the Durango SRT Hellcat and R/T 392 do not currently meet. As a result, Dodge has limited sales of these specific trims to states that do not follow CARB standards.

This video explains why the Dodge Durango Hellcat is banned in certain US states: 53sKnockout 360YouTube · Sep 17, 2025

Reason for restrictions: The primary reason is emissions, as the powerful V8 engines do not meet the stricter standards set by CARB.
CARB states: Seventeen states, plus Washington D.C., follow CARB's stricter rules, including California, New York, and Massachusetts.
Affected models: The ban applies to specific models with the higher-output V8 engines, such as the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and R/T 392. The base 5.7-liter HEMI GT version of the Durango is still available nationwide.
Dodge's response: Dodge has not yet gone through the lengthy and costly process of certifying these specific engines for CARB states, leading to the sales restriction. The company has stated it will continue working with CARB to try and expand availability to more states in the future.

You can watch this video to learn about the Dodge Durango Hellcat being banned in these states: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · Sep 16, 2025

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.