---
title: 'New Gas Charger vs Mustang Dark Horse vs SRT Hellcat // Drag Race'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=v12vqnb0dAE'
video_id: 'v12vqnb0dAE'
date: 2026-07-24
duration_sec: 707
channel: 'Throttle House'
---

# New Gas Charger vs Mustang Dark Horse vs SRT Hellcat // Drag Race

> Source: [New Gas Charger vs Mustang Dark Horse vs SRT Hellcat // Drag Race](https://youtube.com/watch?v=v12vqnb0dAE)

## Summary

In this drag race video, the hosts Thomas and James pit the new gas-powered Dodge Charger against the Ford Mustang Dark Horse and a previous-gen SRT Hellcat Redeye. They test the cars in various conditions, including all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, to see which muscle car comes out on top.

### Key Points

- **Cars Introduced** [00:27] — The new Dodge Charger (gas version) is compared to the Ford Mustang Dark Horse (500 hp, naturally aspirated) and the SRT Hellcat Redeye (797 hp, supercharged V8).
- **Traction is Key** [01:42] — The hosts emphasize that the race is about traction. The Charger has all-wheel drive, which gives it an advantage off the line, while the Hellcat struggles with wheel spin due to its rear-wheel drive and high power.
- **First Race: All-Wheel Drive** [02:43] — In the first race with all-wheel drive, the Charger launches first and wins, showcasing the benefit of AWD on a cold surface.
- **Second Race: Rear-Wheel Drive** [03:39] — The Charger is switched to rear-wheel drive. The Mustang and Hellcat are closer, but the Hellcat eventually pulls ahead due to its power advantage.
- **Rolling Race** [06:07] — A rolling race from a low speed is conducted. The Hellcat hooks up and dominates, while the Charger and Mustang fall behind.
- **Conclusion** [10:34] — The Charger wins in real-world light-to-light conditions with AWD. The Hellcat is fastest once moving but suffers from traction issues. The Mustang is a balanced competitor.

### Conclusion

The new Charger proves its straight-line speed with all-wheel drive, but the Hellcat remains the king once it gains traction. The Mustang Dark Horse holds its own as a balanced muscle car.

## Transcript

Thomas. >> And I'm James. And >> it's time for a drag race.
review of the Charger, you'll know that we think that it's far from perfect, [music] but it is quick. Or is it? From the lovely people at Planet Ford here in Ontario, we've brought along its arch
nemesis, coming in strong with a naturally aspirated 500 horsepower [music] is Ford's Mustang, Darkhorse. And then, thanks to the generosity from the team [music] at Favorite Motors, a place that sells used cars, great and
small, we thought, why not slap the new guy around a bit with a Hellcat from the previous gen? You know, the one with a supercharged V8, as the devil intended.
And the only reason it makes any sense to bring out a Red Eye, which has 797 horsepower, by the way, is because you need 797 horsepower to compensate for how bad Challengers are at putting the power down. It's the only chance I have
against that. All right, I've got everything set up. Blah blah blah blah transfer. Um, yeah. Here we go. Here we go. >> Don't be fooled. This is a game of traction, okay? This is an all-wheel
have confidence cuz I've got more power than that dark horse, I don't cuz this is a big fat boy. The Red Eye has an amazing amount of power, but spinning spin. Just like in the Matrix when they have to turn off the Nebuchadnezzar to
deal with the Sentinels, the only weapon I have are those two front wheels being driven. And boy am I going to use them. And launch control. But first, let's And launch control. But first, let's warm those tires
I'm off the line first. [music] whatsoever. That is the advantage of all-wheel drive. You're seeing it in all-wheel drive. You're seeing it in motion. [music]
Oh my Christ, this is scary. Oh, they're moving. They're moving. [music]
the orange eyes of a Hellcat. >> I forgot how ridiculous these things >> We We've put them at a slight disadvantage being just above freezing >> Yeah, they're just above freezing. And uh you know what? That goes in rear
>> Yes. >> Let's do a rear wheel drive race. Let's happens. >> The only reason you won is because of how much that weighs. >> It's not American. It's actually it's
>> But it's going to [laughter] it's going to become a power to weight ratio thing >> And that weighs >> less. drive. >> Damn right I am.
>> Damn right I am. >> Okay. In which case my only advantage is traction because I have less power. >> 5 4 3 2 1 go.
are gone. They're gone. Oh, he's just edging ahead. He's just edging ahead. Put the power down. >> Foot to the floor.
>> Here comes the red eyee. Oh, it's flying up. Ah. Okay.
[laughter] Oh, if Thomas had another 100 yards, someone decided that 800 horsepower to the rear wheels was fine. That felt fair, though. That felt more honest.
what a muscle car should do. That's what it's about. >> Why >> the C8? >> Well, it's just like, what if they put the engine over the wheels or
>> There's an idea. Let's put some weight over the driven tires. >> These This was close to that dark horse. >> Yeah. Yeah, that was actually not bad. >> Uh, the tires are gone, I think. >> Okay, you were flying up in my wing
>> It doesn't matter. I was spinning in fifth. [laughter] >> That's fair. Well managed. But yeah, if that was a onem race, I you'd have been >> You're flying. >> Um, all right. Can we take the launch
>> Yeah. >> Right. Cuz that's where I'm That's was >> right? >> Roll on to the power. What's this? Got a first and a second place. Now, does the roll put it in third?
>> No, you do the roll in all-wheel drive. >> That's what I was going to say. >> It's fair to the car. >> 100% fair to the car. Compared to the >> Let's do it. >> All right. Allwheel drive.
>> All right. Allwheel drive. >> 5 4 3 2 1 go. race. There goes the red eye. Hook up. Hook up. Hook up. Hook up. Hook up.
Hook up. Hook up. Hook up. Hook up. There you are. me. Hello.
[laughter] Yeah. Fair enough. Fair enough. Yeah. Fair enough. Fair enough. >> [snorts] for the Charger, mate. I got the whole podium, first,
second, and third. [laughter] It's not how you don't collect podium. >> I would argue that we started more real world and then went more race world. world and then went more race world. >> Yes. And so that places this
>> Oh god, if I had the end of that sentence, you would be crying. >> Listen, I think adding all-wheel drive to that was smart. But we've been saying all-wheel drive. >> Well, the Durango Hellcat was the first
proof because it's just a monster. >> Yes. And now that I've seen it with >> Yeah. >> it's a bit boring. Just saying. just say it [laughter] because like at no point in any of these races was I not fearing
in any of these races was I not fearing for my life and that's what a muscle car >> But what if you had the gift of both? What if you had 800 horsepower in this and the ability to decouple the front? >> Maybe. Maybe. But then you need a you
need a supercharged V8 in it. >> I I agree. I'm going to manifest it. >> You're well raced though. You had good traction there. >> It was perfect. >> It finally hooked up at in like the top
of fourth and then I was absolutely gonzo. >> He is very >> I [snorts] mean that's not news though, there. >> Yeah, he just he's just always there.
silently just lurking. Just lurking. >> It actually does look really good. >> Remind me again uh the prices of these. Those two are roughly the same price. >> Pretty much, right? Pretty much. Yeah.
>> No. >> This is a red eyee and it you these are >> But you can get the Hellcat >> 717 horsepower or the 707. Yeah. Those >> you can get that for the price of this. >> Yes, you can.
>> Is that not still a smarter choice if you're looking for a proper muscle car experience? >> This interior is a huge upgrade. All that needed was this interior
>> I don't know. I don't know. I mean, they're both pretty Las Vegas. Um, so at least it's, you know, in the same category. >> That's from an era where it was a question if you could handle your car.
>> Yes, exactly. And I' I've been driving these for years. >> Like I've done thousands of launches in Hellcats of all different or demons or Hellcats of all different or demons or whatever. Yeah. And I'm still going like
the whole the way down the strip. Right. So that's what it does. And and I think honest with you. >> They also give me a little rev. >> They also give me a little rev. >> Okay. No problem.
It's safe. >> I'm not scared when I drive this. I feel less. >> Okay. Shall we do a conclusion? >> Okay. Shall we do a conclusion? >> Yeah.
of all-wheel drive on a non- prepped [music] surface on a cold Canada winter's day, the Charger six-pack prevails. Real world light to light, it's quicker. Turn off those front wheels and it stays close to the
Mustang, but ultimately it just has too much weight to shift. and the Hellcat. Well, traction was always going to suffer, just like Thomas in the comment section. But once it's going, it is light years quicker than both. In a
halfmile race or on a prep surface, the six-pack and the dark horse wouldn't even know where it went. So, yes, the new Charger is a flawed vehicle, but it at least does have some straight line speed in its arsenal. Think we need to
get some all-wheel drive competitors out now. And thanks once again to Planet Ford and Favorite Motors who went above and beyond to make this video happen. inventories are available in the description. Thanks for watching.