Tuesday 7th November 2023

Behold the Hennessey 'Last Stand' Hemis

The Charger and Challenger Hellcats are being put down, but not before Hennessey sells a few more with 1,000hp

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It’ll be a genuinely sad day when the last car powered by Dodge’s 6.2-litre supercharged V8 is made. Ever since the introduction of the Challenger Hellcat in 2014, it’s proved there’s still an awful lot to be said for a honking great V8 when it comes to sheer entertainment. But time waits for no man (or engine), and soon it will be gone from production cars (albeit still available as a crate motor). To mark the occasion, Hennessey has created what it’s calling its ‘Last Stand’ H1000 models; a Charger and Challenger each with a thousand horsepower. Or just 25 less than the SRT Demon 170. It seems a fitting way for this hellraising engine to depart. 

Modifications to the Hemi include larger supercharger with pulley upgrade, a higher flow induction system, upgraded injectors, new headers and high flow cats. That four-figure horsepower output is accompanied by a monstrous 948lb ft, all achieved on ‘pump-unleaded gasoline’, which sounds like the low octane rubbish sold Stateside. A tank of V-Power should see those numbers even higher, right? Apparently, a Last Stand is capable of a sub-three-second dash to 62mph, and a 9.9 second quarter mile at 141mph. Dominic Toretto will be pleased. 

Spotters will be able to identify one of Hennessey’s limited edition, 1,000hp beasts but some additional carbon bits - splitters, spoilers, skirts, diffuser - new 20-inch wheels, ‘Last Stand’ graphics and a numbered plaque. As has been the case with every Hellcat since day dot, this Charger-Challenger pairing looks spot on: brooding and muscular while just about avoiding caricature or silliness. That’s a 1,000hp, warrantied, V8 four-door you’re looking at there in the Charger. Which it’s hard not to be enthusiastic about, if a little glum given there won’t be any more. 

John Hennessey said: "The Challenger and Charger are two of our most popular models, with monstrous horsepower in a comfortable and capable chassis. While it's sad to see the 6.2-liter Hemi go, I'm pleased to commemorate its near-decade run with our unique 'Last Stand' models that pair the 1,000-horsepower output with the sleek look of carbon fibre and other exterior performance upfits."  There will be 50 of each bodystyle made at Hennessey’s Texas base, with production already underway (but no price as yet). And don’t worry if you’re desperate to do the decent thing and bid a final farewell with a Last Stand - they’re available for global shipping…

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• Dodge Challenger Hellcat | PH Used Buying Guide
• Hennessey Exorcist Final Edition signs off Camaro

 

[Stewedapple]

I do like the colour / stance of that car….

[superchipchaz]

all achieved on ‘pump-unleaded gasoline’, which sounds like the low octane rubbish sold Stateside. A tank of V-Power should see those numbers even higher, right?


Actually although the US has octane ratings of as low as 89 and their super 93 it is actually a different grading system and their fuel compares with ours here in the UK

[Mark_Blanchard]

That Challenger Hennessey really looks the business. It'll be a sad day when production is halted.

The Mustang Dark Horse doesn't quite cut it in comparison.

[deadtom]

superchipchaz said:

all achieved on ‘pump-unleaded gasoline’, which sounds like the low octane rubbish sold Stateside. A tank of V-Power should see those numbers even higher, right?


Actually although the US has octane ratings of as low as 89 and their super 93 it is actually a different grading system and their fuel compares with ours here in the UK

This. I generally don't whinge about PH writing quality, but this is something that has never been correct and a site that caters to car enthusiasts should be better than to keep trotting this one out.

They use MON (Motor Octane Number) in the USA rather than RON (Research Octane Number) that we use here. Their fuel is just as potent as ours.

cool cars though, absolutely appeals to my inner child

Edited by deadtom on Tuesday 7th November 18:02

[Krikkit]

deadtom said:

superchipchaz said:

all achieved on ‘pump-unleaded gasoline’, which sounds like the low octane rubbish sold Stateside. A tank of V-Power should see those numbers even higher, right?


Actually although the US has octane ratings of as low as 89 and their super 93 it is actually a different grading system and their fuel compares with ours here in the UK

This. I generally don't whinge about PH writing quality, but this is something that has never been correct and a site that caters to car enthusiasts should be better than to keep trotting this one out.

They use MON (Motor Octane Number) in the USA rather than RON (Research Octane Number) that we use here. Their fuel is just as potent as ours.

Cool cars though, absolutely appeals to my inner child

Indeed, lazy writing and a trope that should've been sorted out by now in the easily Google'able world.

[ManyMotors]

Grab one of these and win "Most Deplorable" at your local C&C. In Houston, Texas, Mustangs, Camaros and Chargers have been banned since the owners couldn't behave.

[dunnoreally]

I like the Challenger a lot. You can see from the flared arches, front splitter and slight positive camber that it means business, but it still manages to be a more subtle with it than a lot of very much less potent stuff straight out of the factory.

Mine would be in red with a black stripe, mind, and I'd lose the stupid decal across the top of the windscreen.

Perfect antidote to that lobotomised Mustang from this morning. Shame that this is the "Last Stand", but overpriced electric chop jobs are probably going to be about for a while yet.

[anonymous-user]

Yes please. What an epic thing that must be to plant the go pedal in. Wow

[pppppppppppppppp]

I was surprised about the fuel thing too. I wouldn't say it was lazy though; just confidently incorrect.

If love a Challenger, crazy horsepower or not. They're very attractive cars.

[Niffty951]

I'm finding these unreasonably appealing in a world where a good 1000 mile road trip in one would probably absorb a years heating budget for my house.

Also, thanks to the octane gang above. I can never muster the energy to explain this.

[ducnick]

Incredibly lazy writing. Bit like saying a U.K. spec bmw is slower than it’s European twin because the U.K. spec car is limited to 155 mph when a German one does 250 kph

[blue al]

We should all know American fuel is twice as powerful….

As it is half the price- simple man-math really

[Jon_S_Rally]

Brilliant. Such a shame these are being killed off, especially when the industry seems to be falling over itself to backtrack about EV strategy.

Did enquire about buying a Charger (just a regular R/T), but they're quite expensive where I am sadly.

[MOOSECORTINA]

So good to see after the ruined Mustang in the previous article.

[smilo996]

The revamped/modern Charger is the only Murican muscle car that looks the part. The 'Stang with each and every new version looks increasingly stupid. The Charger is minimalistic, with both pose and design flare.
1000bhp off the shelf engine. The one thing that the generally moribund US auto industry has hung on to of any value. My brother is considering using a crate Hemi for his Cherokee pick up.

[C5_Steve]

pppppppppppppppp said:

I was surprised about the fuel thing too. I wouldn't say it was lazy though; just confidently incorrect.

If love a Challenger, crazy horsepower or not. They're very attractive cars.

Yeah similar to the MPG comparisons as well, many don't realise it's not equivalent (UK to US).

I'd quite like to "behold" the Charger, something about them has always appealed to me. Think it's the 4 doors, something about being able to share a Hemi with friends (well more than 1).

[anonymous-user]

smilo996 said:

The revamped/modern Charger is the only Murican muscle car that looks the part. The 'Stang with each and every new version looks increasingly stupid. The Charger is minimalistic, with both pose and design flare.
1000bhp off the shelf engine. The one thing that the generally moribund US auto industry has hung on to of any value. My brother is considering using a crate Hemi for his Cherokee pick up.

Recent gen mustangs are the only ones I've ever really wanted and could conceivably want to own at some point.

[tr3a]

I was in a town today where a penis prosthesis like this one was continually rumbling up and down the high street, accelerating and braking between speed bumps. The fifth time it passed, I got a look at the driver, who was a scruffy, beady eyed chinless wonder. Had a great laugh.

[nismo48]

MOOSECORTINA said:

So good to see after the ruined Mustang in the previous article.

+1 Mad and equally Bad

[anonymous-user]

tr3a said:

I was in a town today where a penis prosthesis like this one was continually rumbling up and down the high street, accelerating and braking between speed bumps. The fifth time it passed, I got a look at the driver, who was a scruffy, beady eyed chinless wonder. Had a great laugh.

Wow.