Production of the insanely powerful 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat may be limited to only 1,200 units. That's the word from Edmunds, citing a Chrysler->ke21 Group person that did not want to be identified. Although the automaker has yet to confirm the said number, we won't be surprised if this report turns out to be true. And for more than one reason.

First of all, it's only natural for such a powerful machine to come available in limited quantities. The Hellcat is no regular Challenger->ke249 and we don't expect Dodge to keep it in production until the current generation model is phased out. At least not as a regular production car. Selling 1,200 examples each year for the next two to three years would make more sense. Sure, demand will surpass production and Dodge->ke28 will have a lot of unhappy customers to deal with, but that's what makes a muscle car like the Hellcat special.

Secondly, a limited run would bring more bad news to customers. As Hellcats will start disappearing from dealer preorder "lots," the $60,990 sticker (delivery included) will blow through the roof. Dealers win, Dodge wins, and customers will just have to fork more cash for the privilege of owning 707 horses and 650 pound-feet of torque in the shape of a Challenger.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Why It Matters

Let's get one thing straight. The Challenger Hellcat is not the first awesome muscle car to come in limited numbers. Chevy->ke199, for instance, built only 500 Camaro Z/28s for 2014. Of course, this is a deal-breaker for many potential customers, but this is how the automotive industry works nowadays. Dodge can't just roll out Hellcats at the same rate as it produces Challenger R/Ts and we get that. But Dodge should at least make sure prices don't go sky-high as soon as the order books are open.

Although this limited production run may be bad news for many customers, it's actually great news for the Hellcat itself. With only a few thousand units built, the 707-horsepower Challenger will likely become even more appealing and open new opportunities for Dodge. If the current Hellcat is a hit, and we know it will be, we are likely to see a more powerful version coming with the next-generation Challenger.

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Simply put, the 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat SRT is the most powerful, factory-built muscle car ever created. It all comes down to its supercharged, 6.2-liter, HEMI V-8 and the staggering 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque powering the rear wheels. Naturally, the Hellcat is also the quickest muscle car ever built. The enormous amount of power enables the coupe to run the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds with standard Pirelli tires and in only 10.8 seconds with drag radials. That's faster than the Ferrari Enzo and the Nissan GT-R Track Pack, a performance the Hellcat will hang on to for a very long time.

Distinguished by numerous details inside and out, the 2015 Challenger Hellcat SRT will retail from $60,990, including destination and gas-guzzler tax.