When you happen to witness such a beast as a Widebody Hellcat racing along the road, you are not likely to dismiss it. The haughty, muscular pose attracts your attention. However, what exactly makes the Widebody Hellcat different from the regular Hellcat? What is it about the Widebody that feels so much more powerful on the road and the track?
In short, the Widebody Hellcat isn’t a Hellcat with a big body kit fitted. It is a dedicated machine that surpasses the others, takes corners at a higher speed, and is like a magnet compared to the road. In addition to beefier tires and suspension adjustments, the Hellcat widebody has wider fenders and an attitude that is not easy to miss.
Here in this article, we shall explain the details of how the Widebody Hellcat differs radically from the standard Hellcat. We will examine the effects of the changes on their performance, handling, looks, and general driving experience. Read on to know why so many gearheads swear by the Widebody Hellcat.
What is the Widebody Hellcat?
The Widebody Hellcat is an even track-oriented version of the already legendary Hellcat muscle car produced by Dodge. To make the Widebody appear much more muscular and planted, Dodge made it wider fenders, a beefier suspension, and large wheels and tires.
Such alterations are not superficial. They incredibly influence the way the car drives, negotiates corners, and stays on the pavement. On the one hand, the standard Hellcat is already a powerhouse featuring a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that generates more than 700 horsepower, but on the other hand, the Widebody is a more enhanced, focused, and refined vehicle than the standard Hellcat because of its wider footprint that allows better channeling of the potential power.
Bigger Tires and Fenders: The Big Difference
The one that is most evident is the more pronounced stance of the Widebody Hellcat. Dodge adorns the sides of the car with wider fenders, which make it an additional 3.5 inches wider on both sides of the car. This makes space to fit 305mm wide tires on all four corners as opposed to the narrow tires of the standard Hellcat.
Why is it important? Larger tires imply a bigger contact area on the ground. This enhances traction, stability, and grip, especially when cornering quickly or accelerating hard. You have a more maneuverable car, but you do not lose the muscle car sensation.
It also makes the Widebody look more aggressive and more intimidating with its wider fenders. The car appears to be lower in height, broader, and in a pouncing mood, and, therefore, is a head-turner in every direction.
Improvement of Suspension: Better Control on the Road
Other than the fatter tires, the Widebody Hellcat has better suspension equipment in it as well. The suspension is also stiffer and programmed to have better handling and cornering. The broader track implies that the automobile feels composed and gripped on heels when driven furiously.
Dodge equipped their cars with bigger sway bars and beefed-up parts to decrease body roll. The outcome is a muscle car that not only goes fast in a straight line, but it is also capable of taking corners with a lot more confidence.
Such suspension configuration turns the Widebody Hellcat into a far more stable car on the twisty roads and on the track, and drivers feel more confident to drive harder.
Performance: The Same Power, the Different Delivery
The Widebody and standard Hellcat are the same engine, a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine, with approximately 717 horsepower (varies in the model year). Horsepower in the super cruiser world, then, is not the distinguishing factor.
The difference is that the power supply to the road differs. The Widebody has a much lower wheel spin due to the wider tires and upgraded suspension, which is able to harness more power on the ground. You will be able to observe better traction off the line and more grip in the corners.
Bigger brakes also improve the braking of the Widebody, as well as the extra grip and handling.
On-The-Road, Raw-Muscle Vs. Prefecture: Driving
In case you want to state how the two feel on the road, the standard Hellcat is rough and vicious; a ferocious animal capable of releasing power with little notice. It feels like a typical muscle car: it is loud, naughty, and strong, yet a bit tend-to-blow-the-tails-out of the car unless one is actively avoiding them.
The Widebody Hellcat, on the other hand, is the same animal with a leash on it. It remains loud and heavy-hitting, but it is now much more stable, assured, and more predictable in turns. This is provided by the wider tires and the tuned suspension, which makes it feel like a more modern type of sports car, but it still retains the classic, muscle car roar.
According to many drivers, the Widebody is more of a performance vehicle that you can drive endlessly as well as on an overtaking track without fear of losing control.
Looks: Muscle Car more, gets amped
The Widebody is strikingly identified visually. The high fenders and the wider stance, in addition to the aggressive wheel combination, make it look far more muscled and athletic compared to the basic Hellcat.
On the inside, cars are fairly consistent, although most Widebody trims do have some sportier flourishes, such as better seats and use of material that fits the more sporting nature of the car.
Pricing: How Much Is The Upgrade?
Widebody Hellcat is likely to be more expensive than a standard version, such that the extra hardware and toned-up characteristics also contribute to the price difference. To get the Widebody package, then depending on model year and options, you will need to pay several thousand additional dollars.
In the ears of many fans, the additional expense is worth the improved driving feel, cornering, and grip.
Whose to Buy What?
The choice in favor of the Standard Hellcat is obvious: if you want that classic raw muscle car experience — brutal power, and sound aggression, and that Hellcat vibe, just in a hair trimmer.
The Widebody Hellcat is the right choice when you need muscle car power with modern handling, wider grip, and a more aggressive appearance. It is a wiser choice among drivers who intend to take the car hard on the windy roads or the race track.
Final Thoughts
The common distinction between the Widebody Hellcat and standard Hellcat is much deeper than skin deep. A well-thought-out upgrade, the Widebody puts the muscle car made by Dodge on the very next level in terms of performance, handling, and presence.
The Widebody Hellcat will give you a wildly capable muscle car in terms of handling as well as power. The basic Hellcat is a pissed-off untamed muscle car and will hit like one as well.
In any case, you are getting one of the most exhilarating American muscle cars of today. For those who want to experience that raw power and aggressive stance firsthand without the commitment of ownership, you can choose an exotic car rental in Boston from our premium fleet to feel the difference yourself.
FAQ
What is the big difference between the Widebody Hellcat and the up-sized Hellcat?
A1: The Widebody Hellcat has wider fenders, larger tires, and a high-performance suspension that ensures improved grip and handling compared to the standard Hellcat.
Does the Widebody Hellcat have higher horsepower?
A2: No, they have equal horsepower, and each version draws the power through its different tires and suspensions.
Is the Widebody Hellcat more difficult to drive compared to standard?
A3: In corners, the Widebody Hellcat is easier to manage because it has better grip and suspension, thus providing more confidence to the driver.
Is the Widebody Hellcat more expensive than the standard?
A4: A Widebody normally costs more because of its extra parts and modifications.
Which one of them is more suitable for everyday driving?
A5: The Widebody Hellcat is a nicer car to have some fun with in everyday driving, whereas the regular Hellcat is more rudimentary and old school.
