Unique build turns a Dodge Charger into an 850hp manual Hellcat
Published on Aug 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Aug 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This incredible widebody Dodge Charger Hellcat has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind 850-horsepower manual beast.
While Dodge used to offer the Charger as either a manual or automatic, modern models, like the Hellcat, are all automatic.
So, one car enthusiast decided to take matters into his own hands and build one.
As well as converting the car from an automatic to a manual, the Hellcat also had its horsepower boosted.
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The widebody Dodge Charger Hellcat is a real one-off
Originally launched all the way back in 1966, the Dodge Charger is a true American icon.
In 2015, Dodge introduced the beefed-up Charger Hellcat to the lineup.
The Hellcat was fitted with a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine and could pump out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
Upon release, the Charger Hellcat was a hit with gearheads – and thieves, but that’s a story for another day.
However, some muscle car enthusiasts craved a manual version.
So far, Dodge has resisted producing such a vehicle, but custom car builder Dennis McCarthy didn’t let that stop him.
He built a manual widebody Dodge Charger Hellcat, thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
The Hellcat’s 797hp supercharged V8 remains, but now cranks out a little over 850hp thanks to enlarged injectors, a pulley kit, and a tune-up.
But the thing that really makes the Hellcat stand out is the fact that the powerful engine is now paired with a six-speed manual transmission that McCarthy took from a 2019 Hellcat Challenger.
The custom widebody Dodge Charger Hellcat was completed back in 2021 and was believed to be the first manual Charger Hellcat out there.
Shawn Davis, from Autopia LA, was lucky enough to hop behind the wheel of the Charger and take it for a spin.
It’s not the wildest Dodge Hellcat we’ve seen
While the manual Dodge Charger Hellcat is sure to scratch an itch for some drivers, it’s not the most inventive use of a Hellcat engine we’ve seen.
That title goes to this Hellcat-powered minivan.
The custom-made Hellcat Minivan was created using a Chrysler Town & Country minivan and a Charger, and was a real labor of love for the guys who built it.
To get it up and running, the team needed to build a ton of custom parts and pieces, but – let’s be honest – it was worth it.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
