A Lightweight Carbon Fiber Powertrain: The Dodge Charger

SpeedKore’s Hellucination is a significantly altered 1968 Dodge Charger. Under that large hood scoop is a Dodge Hellephant 426 Hemi V8. To keep everything light, the Charger’s hood, floor pan, wheel tubs, doors are all made out of carbon fiber.How sure are we that the  new electric muscle cars will be great?.

SpeedKore, known for its subtle builds that mixes lightweighting with powerful V8 engines that provide mountains of power, has been showcasing its most recent endeavor, called Hellucination, a significantly altered 1968 Dodge Charger. Under that pretty large hood scoop is a Dodge Hellephant 426 Hemi V8, as the name implies. However, there is more to this restomod muscle car, which was built for Stellantis executive Ralph Gilles, than just its available 1,000 horsepower.

To keep everything light, the Charger’s hood, floor pan, wheel tubs, doors, etc. are all made out of carbon fiber. The structural rigidity needed to maintain tight handling when the driver releases the hammer is provided by a specially designed SpeedKore frame with an integrated roll cage and perimeter reinforcements. Additional weight loss takes a backseat.

Other changes include a custom-fabricated exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers for the right amount of burble, six-piston Brembo brakes up front and twin four-piston calipers in the back. Like we have come to expect from SpeedKore, there are many different customized touches both inside and outside, a contemporary audio system, etc.

Consequently, SpeedKore would always be associated with that Kevin Hart accident for many people outside of the hobby. SpeedKore did not cause Menace, the 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, to be driven in the manner it was supposed to, just as the entertainer was not the one behind the wheel when the accident occurred.

We do find it fascinating that a Stellantis executive would order such a rabid muscle car at a time when his firm is actively working to persuade the typical fan that this isn’t what they need. The EPA, DOE, EU, and numerous other activist and governmental organizations are certainly exerting pressure on the automaker, but it is clear that some senior executives inside the organization disagree with the way things are progressing.

The multinational Stellantis has absorbed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, where Gilles, a Canadian native, acts as Head of Design. Hellucination certainly seems like a unique muscle automobile, so we hope he cherishes it in a sincere way.