Why the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is making waves with its manual transmission
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is back with a bang for the 2023 model year. The sports car’s standard six-speed manual transmission was removed in the 2022 model year, but Dodge has brought it back for the 2023 model year.
This move stunned muscle car enthusiasts, who had been concerned that the six-speed transmission would not return. However, Challenger ordering guides last summer showed that the six-speed manual transmission was again the standard option on the Hellcat and Hellcat Widebody.
Manual Transmission Return
According to as seen by Mopar Insider(Koons Tysons Dodge in Vienna, Virginia published on the hellcat.org forum on May 31), the six-speed manual transmission for both narrow and wide body Hellcats is available for ordering.
However, this change has yet to be displayed on Dodge’s retail site as of this writing. Koons wrote that any interested party should build a Challenger online and then email the build PDF to the dealer with a note that the buyer wants the manual. The dealer confirmed that choosing the manual would reverse the $2,995 charge for the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, a pair of posters that placed orders showing price order confirmations verifying that everything is kosher.
Other Available Options
Still, interested buyers may need to work with dealers to determine other available options. Every 2023 Challenger Hellcat on Dodge’s retail site has the Jailbreak designation, which unlocks combinations of options not available on non-Jailbreak models. Deeper in the thread, some buyers said that manual cars are not Jailbreaks. We will know if the transmission reaches the configurator and when.
Pricing and Related Introduction
From what we can tell, Challenger hopefuls who choose to wait for the manual’s return will not be paying a substantial premium for waiting. Dodge’s site lists the MSRP for the 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat at $67,595. Add the mandatory $2,995 eight-speed tax, $1,700 gas mileage, and $1,595 destination, and the total comes to $73,885.
However, Dodge did not leave muscle car fans hanging, having already introduced the electric vehicle (EV) named replacement Charger Daytona. It will hit production next year, most likely without an actual manual gearbox.
Additional Piece
The revival of the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s six-speed manual transmission has been a dominant talking point among muscle car enthusiasts. However, the move has far-reaching consequences beyond muscle car circles.
First, it reaffirms the car industry’s emphasis on driver experience and involvement. Automatic transmissions have long become the norm, with many modern vehicles not even offering manual transmission as an option. Nevertheless, the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s return to the stick-shift is a reminder of the primal appeal of the manual.
Indeed, the manual transmission’s popularity has often defied logic and reason, given the technological advances in automatic transmissions. But the visceral appeal of stick-shift driving has made it a favorite among drivers who demand greater control and satisfaction from their driving experience.
Second, the return of the six-speed manual transmission shows that Dodge is listening to its customers and putting their preferences at the forefront. The removal of the manual transmission from the Challenger SRT Hellcat last year was received with disappointment by many. But Dodge’s swift response to bring it back is a sign that the automaker values its customers and is willing to give them what they want.
Third, the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s six-speed manual transmission illustrates the importance of a robust aftermarket. Enthusiasts have long been modifying their cars to suit their preferences, and the Challenger SRT Hellcat is no exception. By offering its customers the six-speed manual transmission, Dodge not only caters to their preferences but also sets the stage for more customization and upgrading down the line.
Finally, the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s six-speed manual transmission is a reminder of the muscle car’s enduring appeal. As the automotive industry moves towards electric vehicles and self-driving cars, the muscle car represents a throwback to a simpler time when horsepower and torque ruled the roads. The Challenger SRT Hellcat’s six-speed manual transmission is a nod to that legacy, reminding us that muscle cars still have a place in today’s automotive landscape.
Summary
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is back with a six-speed manual transmission for the 2023 model year, after the standard six-speed manual was removed from the 717-horsepower model Challenger SRT Hellcat last year. The six-speed manual transmission is again the standard option on the Hellcat and Hellcat Widebody, as well as available for ordering for both narrow and wide body Hellcats. The return of the six-speed manual transmission reaffirms the industry’s emphasis on driver involvement, illustrates the importance of a robust aftermarket, and reveals the muscle car’s enduring appeal.
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Dodge removed the standard six-speed manual transmission from the 717-horsepower model Challenger SRT Hellcat for the 2022 model year. The Tremec TR-6060 gearbox was retained for lower versions of the Hemi Challenger; the higher versions of the Redeye never offered the six-speed transmission. Explaining the matter in late 2021, the automaker said it needed to recalibrate the Powertrain Control Module for the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with stick shift, and that tuning would return in the future. Doubts abounded among fans about a return, with the Grim Reaper working overtime of late to kill all sorts of fun stuff. However, the automaker was as good as its word. Challenger ordering guides last summer showed that the six-speed transmission was again the standard option on the Hellcat and Hellcat Widebody. It has been necessary until now for the situation to become real. As seen by Mopar InsiderKoons Tysons Dodge in Vienna, Virginia published in the hellcat.org forum on May 31 that the distributor The ordering system allowed manual transmissions to be ordered for both narrow and wide body Hellcats.
Again, this is for the 717 hp versions only. However, the change has yet to be displayed on Dodge’s retail site as of this writing. Koons wrote that any interested party should build a Challenger online and then email the build PDF to the dealer with a note that the buyer wants the manual. The dealer confirmed that choosing the manual would reverse the $2,995 charge for the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, a pair of posters that placed orders. showing price order confirmations verifying that everything is kosher.
Even after that, interested buyers may need to work with dealers to determine other available options. Every 2023 Challenger Hellcat on Dodge’s retail site as of this writing has the Jailbreak designation, which unlocks combinations of options not available on non-Jailbreak models. Deeper in the thread, some buyers said that manual cars are not Jailbreaks. We will know if the transmission reaches the configurator and when.
From what we can tell, Challenger hopefuls who chose to wait for the manual’s return won’t be paying a substantial premium for waiting. Dodge’s site lists the MSRP for the 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat at $67,595. Add the mandatory $2,995 eight-speed tax, $1,700 gas mileage and $1,595 destination, and the total comes to $73,885. A price confirmation from Koons shows a 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat MSRP at $66,600. Add gas consumer tax and destination, the total before options is $69,895. In this, the final year of the Challenger, buyers who can find a dealer willing to pay the MSRP could do just fine for themselves.
However, Dodge didn’t leave muscle car fans hanging, having already introduced the electric vehicle (EV) named replacement Charger Daytona. It will hit production next year, most likely without an actual manual gearbox.
Related video:
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/06/04/dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-manual-transmission-orders/
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