Green Hellcat Trounces a Modded Corvette C7 ZR1
Light curb weight and aero are no match for the big Dodge.
Sometimes, it seems like half of YouTube is made up of Hellcat and Demon videos. And it’s funny; after all this time, we’re starting to notice a common thread: The charmingly retro, brick-like Challenger does the job time and again, while many of its opponents are kitted out to the point of looking ridiculous. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not knocking the aero on the big coupe. It’s just that, well, the Dodge does what it does, and pretenders from Mustangs to Lamborghinis with their wings and scoops and dams just seem to get lost in its dust.
This Driveway Demons video is no different. It’s great, of course, but it shows a very hot C7 ZR-1 getting absolutely annihilated Hellcat Redeye. The owner of the ‘Vette, Mike, is clearly proud of his Chevy. The car is rocking a ported blower, five-inch cold air intake, tune, and an upper pulley. Altogether, the automatic transmission ZR1 puts out about 750 horsepower.
Then there’s the Hellcat. To Mike’s credit, he beat the Dodge the last time they matched up. But that was a long time ago. Corey, the owner, has since modded the car to put out about 910 horsepower. On paper, things could still be close; the Challenger weighs a substantial 4,350 pounds, while the ‘Vette weighs a svelte 3,600. Still, Mike can see the writing on the wall. “Dude, you’re going to destroy me!” he says, “I don’t even have a chance!”
No more talk, let’s race.
Then they do a set of second-gear runs at a 45-mile-per-hour roll, and, well, Mike’s right. On the first pull, the Dodge catches up and passes the ZR1 with ease. The action ends when Cory’s cold tires cause the Challenger’s rear end to break loose. On the second pull, the C7 is dusted again. Not even close. Then, Cory pulls out of the third pull because the rear end kicks out again (910 horses are a lot to corral). But the second time’s a charm. Cory goes three for three against the ‘Vette today.
Cory, ever the gracious winner, has nothing but great things to say about Mike and his ZR1. But he’s blown away by his car’s performance. “While spinning, the Hellcat still walked away,” he says. “This thing is a beast!” Indeed.
The first nine minutes or so are very talky, but you also see a McLaren and a Lamborghini meeting up to get in on the action. While you don’t see them race in this video, Cory has footage of those pulls on the Driveway Demons channel too. Still, we’ve got a feeling that their wedge-shaped, active aero frippery may not help them much against 900-plus all-American horsepower.
Join the Dodge Forums now!
