{"id":3288,"date":"2024-05-20T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotivefly.com\/?p=3288"},"modified":"2024-05-22T19:23:26","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T19:23:26","slug":"the-godfather-of-the-hellcat-bids-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotivefly.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/20\/the-godfather-of-the-hellcat-bids-farewell\/","title":{"rendered":"The Godfather of the Hellcat Bids Farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tim Kuniskis spent 32 years in the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram family, and now it\u2019s time for the \u201cGodfather of the Hellcat\u201d to retire.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

Tim\u2019s legacy is strong<\/h2>\n

Although the modern version of the Dodge Charger arrived in 2006, and Kuniskis didn\u2019t take over until 2011, he was the man behind the move toward the Charger\u2019s performance roots as a muscle car. Without the addition of Hellcat power, the Charger might have been nothing more than a poor man\u2019s Chrysler 300. Instead, the Charger became the sedan variant of the Challenger, which quickly became one of the most incredible muscle cars under Tim\u2019s guidance. This movement to Hellcat performance levels makes Kuniskis the \u201cGodfather of the Hellcat.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stuffed that engine everywhere<\/h2>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Entering the hybrid revolution could have been the push<\/h2>\n

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\u2019s retiring is the move away from V8 engines. Whether that\u2019s true or not isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

One last splash for Kuniskis<\/h2>\n

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\u2019t 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<\/a><\/strong> around the country.<\/p>\n

Its not all about Hemi V8s<\/h2>\n

It might sound like Tim Kuniskis was only focused on pushing the Hellcat engine into every model possible, but that\u2019s not the case. He also oversaw the development<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Where have we seen the Hellcat?<\/h2>\n

We highlighted some of the models where the Hellcat engine appeared, but were there any others? Let\u2019s find out:<\/p>\n

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye<\/h3>\n

The Redeye model took the place of the first Demon but wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye<\/h3>\n

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\u2019ve got an angry sedan that barely looks like a family car.<\/p>\n

Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock<\/h3>\n

The Super Stock model appeared in 2021 with 807 horsepower, giving you more power than you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Gone are the Hellcat Dodge cars, and now the \u201cGodfather of the Hellcat,\u201d Tim Kuniskis, is also gone. Thus ending an impressive era at Dodge and Ram.<\/p>\n