2022 BMW M5 CS vs. Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye: Which Super Sedan Is Faster?
Some may call the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody’s horsepower ‘excessive.’ But then, that’s also what makes Dodge’s muscle sedan so appealing. However, it’s not the only high-power four-door on the market. There’s also the 2022 BMW M5 CS, claimed to be BMW’s fastest, most powerful production car ever. So, which is the quicker car? That’s what YouTube team Throttle House decided to test.
How fast are the 2022 BMW M5 CS and 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody on paper?
A glance at their spec sheets shows that the 2022 BMW M5 CS and 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody take different approaches to the matter of speed. Yes, both are sedans with forced-induction V8s and automatic transmissions. But whereas the Charger goes down the horsepower road, the M5 CS is more about saving weight. Though to be fair, it also has slightly more power than the M5 Competition.
| Metric | 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody | 2022 BMW M5 CS |
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged V8 | 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
| Power | 797 hp | 627 hp |
| Torque | 707 lb-ft | 533 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drive type | RWD | AWD |
| Curb weight | 4,586 lbs | 4,114 lbs |
| 0-60 mph time | 3.5 seconds (Car and Driver) | 2.9 seconds |
| 1/4-mile time and trap speed | 11.5 seconds @ 126 mph (Car and Driver) | Unavailable |
On paper, then, the 2022 BMW M5 CS is faster to 60 mph than the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody. And it might beat the Charger in the ¼-mile, too. As of this writing, the M5 CS doesn’t have an official ¼-mile time. However, BMW claims it goes 0-124 mph in 10.4 seconds, Motor1 reports. Comparing that to the Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody’s Car and Driver test results puts the BMW ahead.
But the Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody has more tricks than just its 797-hp engine. Being a Widebody model, it has wider tires and wheels than the standard Charger Hellcat for added grip. The Redeye Widebody also has adjustable Bilstein dampers as well as stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. And those last two changes are Charger-exclusive; the Challenger Hellcat Redeye doesn’t get them.
What kind of testing did Throttle House perform?
It might seem odd to mention handling-focused upgrades in a contest of speed. But that’s because Throttle House didn’t just test these two sedans in a straight line.
To be sure, the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody and 2022 BMW M5 CS did go head-to-head in some ¼-mile drag races. The first two tests were run from a standing start: one with launch control, and one without. And to make things as equal as possible, the second race saw the M5 CS go into RWD mode. Then, the Charger and M5 did a ¼-mile rolling-start drag race.
But before the drag races, Throttle House set a lap time in the M5 CS and Charger Hellcat Redeye on its test track. Co-host Thomas got one warm-up lap in each car followed by five ‘hot’ laps to set the best time. This is where the Charger’s handling upgrades should come in handy.
However, BMW gave the M5 CS more than just extra horsepower and numerous carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic components. In addition to less sound-deadening material and no center console, the M5 CS also has stiffer springs, a lower ride height, and a stiffer rear sway bar than the M5 Competition, MotorTrend says. Its adaptive dampers have also been tweaked and its suspension geometry adjusted. Plus, the M5 CS gets standard carbon-ceramic brakes.
Which sedan is faster: the 2022 BMW M5 CS or the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody?
Out on the track, the Throttle House hosts noted that the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody handles better than the equivalent Challenger. And the sedan managed to go around the track in 1:14.14, roughly two seconds faster than the coupe.
However, the Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody couldn’t keep up with the 2022 BMW M5 CS. The BMW beat the Dodge in all three drag races, albeit only by half a car length in the rolling race. And it lapped the track in 1:10.02, 0.33 seconds faster than the lighter M2 CS. The Charger simply can’t put its power down as effectively without a prepped drag surface.
Admittedly, the BMW M5 CS is significantly more expensive than the Charger. The limited-edition M5 starts at $142,000 before the $995 destination fee. Meanwhile, the Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody starts at $81,270 before destination. Still, if it’s a question of speed, the M5 CS wins out.
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