Tim Kuniskis spent 32 years in the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram family, and now it’s time for the “Godfather of the Hellcat” to retire.
Is it a fitting passing of the torch that the man who brought Hellcat power to Dodge and Ram is retiring as Dodge moves away from V8 power? Since 2011, Kuniskis has held the position of CEO of Dodge and added Ram three years ago, but as of June 1, someone else will need to fill this role. Actually, it will be two someones: with Christine Feuell, the current Chrysler CEO taking the helm of Ram, and Matt McAlear, the new Dodge CEO.
Tim’s legacy is strong
Although the modern version of the Dodge Charger arrived in 2006, and Kuniskis didn’t take over until 2011, he was the man behind the move toward the Charger’s performance roots as a muscle car. Without the addition of Hellcat power, the Charger might have been nothing more than a poor man’s Chrysler 300. Instead, the Charger became the sedan variant of the Challenger, which quickly became one of the most incredible muscle cars under Tim’s guidance. This movement to Hellcat performance levels makes Kuniskis the “Godfather of the Hellcat.”
He stuffed that engine everywhere
Considering the brands that fell under his purview, is it any surprise that we saw the Hellcat engine show up in many places? In fact, the only model that Tim wasn’t in charge of using the Hellcat engine was the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Otherwise, this incredibly powerful setup found its way into the Ram 1500 TRX, the Hellcat-powered Durango, along with the Charger and Challenger models. This powerful lineup has held our attention and imagination for many years, giving us more power than you would ever expect to find from a Dodge.
Entering the hybrid revolution could have been the push
Why is Tim Kuniskis retiring just as his brands are moving away from V8 engines to hybrid and electric models? Some feel the reason he’s retiring is the move away from V8 engines. Whether that’s true or not isn’t public knowledge, but the Dodge and Ram brands are the last to embrace hybrid and electric models with the new electric Charger Daytona, electric Ram 1500 REV, and PHEV Ramcharger that are on the way to the market.
One last splash for Kuniskis
The last splash event before retirement is also the final version of the Dodge Challenger to use the iconic Hellcat engine. This is the 1025-horsepower Challenger Demon 170. This incredible car is made for the dragstrip and utilizes the power and performance we haven’t seen in any other car from Dodge before it. The Demon 170 is made for incredible burnouts and fast drag times and to spark the imagination of muscle car enthusiasts around the country.
Its not all about Hemi V8s
It might sound like Tim Kuniskis was only focused on pushing the Hellcat engine into every model possible, but that’s not the case. He also oversaw the development of the new inline 6-cylinder Hurricane engines that replaced the Hemis and Hellcats for many of the Stellantis brands. The new Hurricane engine is part of the new 2025 Ram 1500 and will be part of the new Dodge Charger lineup as well.
Where have we seen the Hellcat?
We highlighted some of the models where the Hellcat engine appeared, but were there any others? Let’s find out:
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
The Redeye model took the place of the first Demon but wasn’t quite as powerful. Still, this muscle car delivered 797 horsepower, which was much more than the standard Hellcat with its 707 horsepower. The Redeye gave Dodge enthusiasts an amazing tire-shredding performance car to love.
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye
Where the Challenger goes, so does the Charger. This four-door sedan made it easy for your make your kids toss their cookies in the backseat when you pushed the performance needle of this car. Add the Widebody kit to the mix and you’ve got an angry sedan that barely looks like a family car.
Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock
The Super Stock model appeared in 2021 with 807 horsepower, giving you more power than you’ll ever know what to do with on the road. This car seems to have a nose for the track. Before you know it, the Super Stock pulls up to the line, ready to drag race another car.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Using regular fuel, this Hellcat-powered muscle car produced 808 horsepower, but when race fuel is involved, that figure reaches 840 ponies. This incredible Challenger pushed the boundaries of what the NHRA allows in a stock car, which made it even more alluring.
Gone are the Hellcat Dodge cars, and now the “Godfather of the Hellcat,” Tim Kuniskis, is also gone. Thus ending an impressive era at Dodge and Ram.
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