After months of teasers and more than a few leaks, it’s finally here – the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has arrived. Unveiled with the help of Wiz Khalifa and Vin Diesel during a slick, pyrotechnic-filled production the night before the 2017 New York International Auto Show, Dodge claims the Demon is the fastest production car in the world, framing it as the cure for soulless mobile appliances. More importantly, here are the numbers you’ve been begging for.
Output is rated at 840 horsepower at the rear wheels thanks to a 2.7-liter supercharger making 14.5 psi of boost. Acceleration looks like 2.3 seconds in the 60-mph sprint, while 5.1 seconds is needed to hit 100 mph. Launch it right, and you’ll do wheelies on your way to a 9.65-second quarter mile pass at 140 mph. Curb weight is rated at 4,200 pounds, 200 pounds less than the “regular” Challenger Hellcat.
What’s more, Dodge revealed you’ll be able to spec yours to taste, from stripped-down track tool, to something more suitable for the street. For example, the front seat and rear seat are offered for a dollar a piece, while a stereo system is also on the options list.
Looking for more info? Continue reading for all the good stuff.
Continue reading to learn more about the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
The Important Specs
If there’s one thing Dodge made very clear during the reveal, it’s that the Demon is built for one simple purpose – drag strip supremacy.
Let’s start in the driver’s seat, where pilots strap in using a four-point race harness. A push button starter fires up the V-8, while a dedicated drag mode recalibrates the suspension, redirects the A/C to cool the intake, and engages the line lock for the traditional burnout.
Moving outside, we find the Demon gets a widebody treatment, with the flared fenders hunched over lightweight wheels measured at 18 inches in diameter and 11 inches in width. Wrapping the wheels are cheater slick tires from Nitto, which were developed specifically for use with the Demon. Sizing comes in at 315/40R18, and there’s wrinkle wall tech for extra squirt off the line. The suspension up front is loosened, sending more weight to the rear, enhancing traction.
The blower uses a bypass that stuffs the manifold with 8 psi as you stage up. Once you’ve passed the 6-foot mark, the full 14.5 psi kicks in. Denser air is provided by the largest functional cold-air intake ever used in a production car, while the A/C redirect system drops intake temps by as much as 45 degrees.
There’s 3.09 gearing, as well as specially configured electronic tuning that’ll cut back on power if the driver gets off the throttle while doing his or her run, presumably to keep the rear from hooking while catching a slide.
Additionally, Hagerty was announced as the official insurance provider for the Demon, and buyers also get a black leather-bound track manual filled with tips and a checklist to ensure there’s no hiccups while getting through tech.
Lingering Questions
While it’s a relief to finally get some official numbers on this thing, there’s still plenty of questions remaining. For example, earlier we covered a “leak” that claimed the Demon would have three separate drive modes with increasing levels of power, starting at 757 horsepower and rising as high as 1,023 horsepower. The Demon’s official output of 840 horses doesn’t match up with the leak’s claimed mid-range of 815 horses, which dings its credibility, but Dodge also didn’t mention what’ll happen if you fill the tank with high-octane fuel, leading us to believe there’s still more power to be had.
Additionally, Dodge revealed that the NHRA banned the Demon from competing in officially sanctioned events, which is a pretty big disappointment for anyone who takes organized drag racing seriously. Granted, the Demon will surely see use at the local test and tune events, but without support from the NHRA, will the Demon ever see any real competition?
Hopefully, we’ll get more information as the New York Auto Show rolls on. In the meantime, check out the reveal video above.
