If huge demand and euphoric critical reviews are to be considered indicators, the Dodge Hellcats have been wildly successful so far. And why not? More than 700 horsepower and a top speed over 200 mph for about $60,000 is a formula any red-blooded gearhead is sure to appreciate. Now, Dodge->ke28 is getting ready to open its order books for the 2016 model year, and it’s streamlining the ordering process and more than doubling production to make sure these torchbearers of the muscle car->ke507 renaissance continue their streaks of success. 

“We could not have asked for a more enthusiastic response to the Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats – it was absolutely unprecedented, but then again, these 707-horsepower muscle cars are unprecedented,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge and SRT brands, FCA US.

All remaining scheduled orders for 2015 Hellcat models will be built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, while verified sold orders that aren’t scheduled will be canceled. However, customers with canceled orders will receive “special discounted pricing” if they re-order for the 2016 model year (the 2016 is expected to see a price increase, so customers will get the old 2015 pricing with a voucher).

To forgo some of the shenanigans seen in the past, dealers will get a “potential allocation total” for the entire 2016 model year next month. Allocation eligibility will be based on past Dodge sales performance, with the allocation adjusted based on the dealers’ average SRT Challenger->ke249 and Charger->ke218 Hellcat “days on lot” performance. Half of the 2016 model year allocation will arrive in August, with the second half scheduled to arrive in February, 2016. 

The ordering system will open the second week of August, with production kicking off in September.

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Why it matters

FCA, the multinational manufacturer that owns Dodge, is having some serious struggles as of late, but thankfully, the Hellcats seem to be bringing in much needed cash. 

While FCA comes to grips with huge debt, disinterest in a partnership or merger, the sell-off of Ferrari, and a massive recall to fix 1.4 million infotainment systems vulnerable to cyber-attack, the Hellcats just keep rolling on. The cars keep exceeding expectations when it comes to sales, and even though some dealers took many more orders than they could fill and placed big markups on the models, people still demand more. 

Dodge will call customers with unfilled orders for the 2015 model year (Autonews says the number of customers is around 900). The canceled orders will probably come as a big letdown for those customers left on the unscheduled list for the 2015 model year, but it appears as though Dodge has learned its lesson and will make sure the ordering process going forward is fair. 

How long will the demand for Hellcats last? Will the premium price hikes and long waiting lists seen for the 2015 model year leave a bad taste in the mouths of consumers, or will the tire-shredding performance of over 700 horsepower turn it all into smoke?

We’ll have to wait and see, but my guess is that the desirability of these cars is as strong as ever. 

2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat

Huge power and big speed make the Challenger Hellcat one of the most talked-about muscle cars of the modern era. Powering the rear wheels is a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 that produces 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, enough for an 11.2-second quarter-mile time. Equipped with drag radials, that number drops to 10.8 seconds.

For 2016, the Challenger Hellcat now comes with standard Laguna leather upholstery, UConnect 8.4AN with navigation, HD radio and five years of SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic services.

Read our full review here.

2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat

Four doors doesn’t make the Hellcat formula any less potent, as the same blown V-8 still lurks under the hood, which is enough to propel this top-spec Charger to a 204-mph top speed. Dodge claims it’s the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan in the world.

Just like Challenger, the 2016 Charger Hellcat will also come with standard Laguna leather, the latest UConnect infotainment system, HD radio and five years of Sirius services.

Read our full review here.