LOOKING BACK: Santa’s Dodge Challenger Redeye Express

As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the last Dodge Challenger rolling off the assembly line at Brampton, we have been taking a look back at some of the most memorable special edition Challengers. This includes the Dodge Challenger “Redeye Express.” This unique creation captured hearts across the country during the 2018 holiday season, thanks to its role in a Dodge advertising campaign that showcased a very festive take on the classic muscle car.

The Redeye Express was part of a commercial series featuring former pro wrestler, NFL player, automobile enthusiast, and Dodge spokesman Bill Goldberg as “the Jolly Fast Man.” In the commercials, Santa Claus overhauls his traditional sleigh, transforming it into a Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT Redeye—dubbed the “Redeye Express.” With 797 horsepower under the hood, this sleigh was re-engineered to be a high-performance ride for both Santa and Mrs. Claus (played by automotive enthusiast Cristy Lee).

After making its debut in the commercials, the Redeye Express was displayed at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show before being transported to the Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It caught our attention, and we were given a close look at the creation between the Dodge//SRT Product Design Studio and Metalcrafters.

While the car could no longer be driven—thanks to its skis replacing the wheels—it still had the ability to start, run the lighting, and operate the 8.4-inch Uconnect 4C infotainment system. And don’t worry, this wasn’t a brand-new Challenger SRT HELLCAT Redeye being modified for the project. The team used an engineering mule, a car set for destruction, before being repurposed for this special assignment. The Redeye Express is now part of the Chrysler historical archives, making it a fascinating piece of automotive history.

The design of the Redeye Express had several key features, ensuring it stayed true to Dodge//SRT DNA while serving Santa’s needs. The roof was cut off, but the C-pillars and part of the roof were retained for structural support, allowing Santa’s large bag of toys to stick out from a hole in the trunk lid. The doors were removed for quick access, and new openings were fabricated using the Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT’s side door scallops. The widebody wheel arches were modified to house the Dodge “rhombi” logo ski supports, adding a unique touch to the sleigh’s design.

Inside, the Redeye Express kept seating for five passengers, with SRT Performance Laguna Leather seats maintaining the luxury feel. Although the standard Challenger SRT HELLCAT Redeye comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Redeye Express featured a 6-speed manual shifter. Under the hood, the sleigh was powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT H.O. V8—yet another homage to the high-performance legacy of Dodge muscle cars.

The Redeye Express even received its own custom logo, combining the iconic HELLCAT logo with reindeer antlers. Red jewels were added to the HELLCAT’s eyes and nose, symbolizing Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, making the design even more festive and fitting for its role in holiday campaigns.

Though the Redeye Express may not have been designed to take to the streets, it captured the spirit of Dodge’s performance brand while adding a bit of holiday magic to the Challenger lineup. As we look back on its legacy, the Redeye Express serves as a reminder of the unique and memorable creations that have defined Dodge’s history and its lasting impact on muscle car fans.

Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT “Redeye Express” Image Gallery:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.