Hell on wheels

Production cars are designed to fulfill the day-to-day requirements of the average consumer. Things like fuel economy, comfort, practicality in daily driving environments, cost effective sound systems, responsible power to weight ratios fill the mind of the designer tasked with creating the new model caravan. But to a world-class designer that grew up idolizing the Dodge Chargers seen in , , and the , these responsible practices on the road grow tired.

Enter Hellucination, built by SpeedKore Performance and dreamed into reality by Stellantis Chief Design Officer and Apex Motor Club member Ralph Gilles. When asked about the concept for Hellucination, Gilles said, “The brief on the car was ‘it’s gotta look vintage from about 20 feet away, but it has to drive as tight as possible, as much like a racecar as possible.’”

This 1000 horsepower gamechanger of a 1968 Dodge Charger prioritizes driver excitement over the comfort and practicality found in a daily driver. Full carbon body panels, a custom built race chassis, a full carbon fiber honeycomb tub, Brembo six piston calipers at each wheel, custom spec HRE wheels, all built to contain the power of a 1,000hp, 426 cubic inch, supercharged all aluminum Hellephant engine donning serial number 001. A powertrain truly befitting the name Hellucination.

Multiple design elements across Hellucination found their inspiration in some of Gilles’ favorite things. The Custom HRE wheels take a similar look to those found on the challenger, whereas the hood scoop takes inspiration from the Dodge Demon, a previous design project of Gilles’. Every detail found in Hellucination is deeply thought out, even down to the gauges and button labels which were designed by Gilles’ own daughter. This vehicle is more than a set of wheels, and rather is a true labor of love.