The new Dodge Demon is finally here, and it is so fast, that it’s officially banned by NHRA.
Making its debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show after months of teasing, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon brings 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque from a 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 supercharged engine.
That means it’s not only the most powerful muscle car ever, it also has the highest horsepower V8 production car engine ever produced. Dodge is attaching several accolades to the Challenger SRT Demon, including a Guinness World Record for the first-ever front-wheel lift in a production car, getting 2.92 feet off the ground.
It is also the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car with a time of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph, certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Speaking of NHRA, the American automaker says the Challenger SRT Demon is too fast for the drag strip, as it has been officially banned by NHRA.
As you can imagine, the Demon also holds the world’s fastest zero-to-60 time in a production car at 2.3 seconds. Oh yeah, there’s also the largest functional hood scoop of any production car, measuring 45.2 square inches.
2017 New York Auto Show Coverage
Compared to the Hellcat V8 engine, the Demon has a larger supercharger: 2.7 liters versus 2.4 liters. Boost pressure has also been increased from 11.6 psi to 14.5 psi, while redline goes from 6,200 rpm to 6,500 rpm. The fuel system has also been upgraded with two dual-stage fuel pumps instead of one, and there’s a larger induction air box with three sources of intake air: Air-Grabber hood, driver-side Air-Catcher headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner. And before you ask, the engine does meet all applicable legal emissions regulations.
The exterior of the Demon also brings the first-ever, factory-production muscle car with widebody fender flares. Designed to amplify the Demon’s menacing stance, the fender flares also allow room for wider tires. It comes with 18×11-inch wheels with exclusive, specifically designed Demon-branded 315/40/18 Nitto NT05R drag radials up front and in the rear, adding 3.5 inches to the Challenger SRT Demon’s overall width.
In the standard configuration, both the front passenger seat and rear seat, along with their corresponding seat belts, have been removed. Customers do however have the option of adding seats back into the car, as well as adding leather coverings, when it is ordered. And the best part? It’ll cost a $1 to option back in the seats.
As teased before, the Demon also comes with the Demon Crate, packed with a ton of goodies to fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip. The Demon Crate is fully customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number and includes:
- Direct Connection Performance Parts:
- Performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration
- Replacement switch module containing high-octane button
- Conical performance air filter
- Passenger mirror block-off plate
- Narrow, front-runner drag wheels
- Demon-branded track tools:
- Hydraulic floor jack with carrying bag
- Cordless impact wrench with charger
- Torque wrench with extension and socket
- Tire pressure gauge
- Fender cover
- Tool bag
- Foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools
Production of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will begin this summer at the Brampton Assembly plant with deliveries starting in fall. A total of 3,300 units will be produced for model year 2018 with 3,000 heading to the U.S. and the remaining 300 reserved for Canada.
