Dodge Uses Two Keys and Valet Mode to Limit the Challenger SRT Hellcat

The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat packs an all-new supercharged 6.2L Hemi that is promised to deliver at least 600 horsepower and 575lb-ft of torque. That is a whole lot of power - more than any other Chrysler V8 even while also being the second most power American production V8 ever behind only the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang – while also being more than most people will need or want on a daily basis. With that in mind, the Street and Racing Technology engineers designed a new two key fob system with a black fob that limits the power to “only” 500 horsepower while the red fob unleashes the full power of this monster Hemi V8.

In the long run, the odds are good that the vast majority of those folks who buy a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat will want all 600+ horsepower on tap all of the time. However, when your wife or your kid wants to take the Challenger for a quick spin – or when you have to leave the keys with some questionable mechanic or valet - you can hand them the black key fob and limit the tire shredding intensity of the Hellcat. This new two fob system may also be great for those Challenger Hellcat owners with low self control…although with 500 horsepower still heading through the transmission, the supercharged Mopar muscle car still packs a serious punch.

Those 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat owners (and SRT 392 owners) who want to severely limit the capabilities of their new Hemi powered muscle cars can also chose Valet Mode. This system works through the infotainment screen with a simple 4 digit password and when engaged, it really sucks a lot of the fun out of the new SRT Challenger. Valet mode “significantly reduces” the horsepower with the rev limiter set to 4,000rpm, the automatic transmission locks out first gear and shortens the shifts for reduced performance, manual shift mode in automatic models is disable as are the steering wheel paddle shifters, traction control, the adjustable steering system and the suspension system are all locked into their “Street” setting, the Drive Mode feature is disabled, Launch Control is disabled and the Electronic Stability Control is locked to the full on position.

While it is designed to protect shady valets from stretching the legs of the Hellcat Hemi (and having worked as a valet for a few years in college, I can attest the things like the Ferrari cruise in Ferris Buehler’s Day Off really does happen), this is likely the safest mode for any drivers who aren’t experienced in handling a muscle car with 500 or more than 600 horsepower so if your wife or kid insist on driving your new Challenger SRT – you may want to set it to valet mode to make sure that your Mopar muscle car comes back in one piece.