Chrysler is poised to make a big splash at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with the world debut of an all-new Chrysler 200 carrying the flag forward for the rejuvenated automaker. But one debut we’ve heard hints of for months is that of a supercharged HEMI V8 codenamed “Hellcat”, a car we’re hoping breaks cover next week in Detroit.
It will be Chrysler’s first foray into boosted V8 engines in quite some time, and hopes are high that it will finally close the gap that GM and Chrysler have opened up. After seeing this video from TFL Car, and hearing the briefest of blips from the supposedly supercharged HEMI, our hopes are as high as ever.
This less-than-a-minute-long video doesn’t show us too much of the parade of Chrysler concept cars, among them both Chargers and Challengers, and we only get to hear the big engine roar once, without any detectable supercharger whine or turbo whistle. We did however see some unfamiliar red badging on the side of one Charger, though it is indecipherable in this low-res video.
With the all-motor HEMI capable of 470 horsepower on its own, a supercharged version should easily be pushing 650 ponies. That will put it right on par with the rumored 650 horsepower Corvette Z06 and outgoing models like the 662 horsepower Shelby GT500. It could very well be the last gasp of big American muscle, so we’re going to make sure we can enjoy it while we can. Hopefully we’ll find out what’s under the hood come next week.