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2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
If you thought 707 horsepower in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat wasn’t enough—you’re in luck! At a special event on the eve of the New York Auto Show, Dodge introduced the limited-edition Challenger SRT Demon, powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 that produces 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft or torque. The HEMI Demon V8 is the highest horsepower V8 engine ever offered in a production car.
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Fastest Production Car
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is also the fastest production car ever—certified in the quarter-mile by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) with an incredibly quick elapsed time of 9.65 seconds with a trap speed of 140 miles per hour. But don’t look for the Demon on the drag race circuit – according to Dodge, the Challenger SRT Demon is officially banned by the NHRA for being too fast. The company claims that the Challenger SRT Demon is also the world’s fastest production car from zero to 60 mph, with a time of just 2.3 seconds and acceleration g-force of 1.8 g, another production first. The Challenger SRT Demon is the first production car to lift its front wheels at launch, certified by Guinness World Records.
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Supercharged HEMI Demon V8
While the Demon’s powerplant is based on the same architecture as the 707-horsepower Hemi Hellcat engine, more than 50 percent of the components have been changed with a high-speed valve train, strengthened connecting rods, stronger pistons and improved lubrication system. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 engine also gets extensive modifications that include a larger 2.7-liter per rev supercharger, increased boost pressure to 14.5 psi, SRT Power Chiller liquid-to-air intercooler chiller system, two dual-stage fuel pumps, larger induction air box and designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel or 91 octane on demand.
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Two Keys
Similar to the SRT Hellcat, the SRT Demon comes with two key fobs. The black fob limits the engine output to a mere 500 horsepower while the red fob allows full engine power output. With both key fobs the driver can activate Valet and Eco modes. Eco mode limits engine output and revises the transmission shift point while Valet mode limits engine rpm and reduces torque.
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Wide Body Design
The widest Challenger ever, the SRT Demon adds factory-installed fender flares that increase the overall width by 3.5 inches, needed to cover the lightweight 18×11-inch “Hole-shot” wheels with exclusive, specifically designed Demon-branded 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radial tires front and rear. The SRT Demon also adds the wide Air Grabber hood scoop, the largest functional hood scoop for a production car, which is sealed and ducted to the larger air box.
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SRT Demon Seating
Inside the Challenger SRT Demon is focused on the driver and in the interest of weight savings, the standard configuration deletes the front passenger seat, rear passenger seat, corresponding seatbelts and the trunk carpeting. The buyer has the option of adding the front passenger seat, rear seat and trunk carpeting for $1 each. The front seats feature standard performance cloth with Ballistic II inserts and embroidered Demon logo and the Laguna Leather package adds Laguna leather with Alcantara suede inserts.
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SRT Interior
A flat-bottom SRT steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara with paddle shifters behind and the SRT gauge package includes a 200-mph speedometer. A carbon fiber Demon badge on the right vent includes the build sequence number. Other options include the Harman Kardon 19-speaker, 900-watt audio system, power sunroof, heated and ventilated leather front seats with heated steering wheel.
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Designed for the Drag Strip
The SRT Demon includes special features designed to optimize performance at the drag strip including the TransBrake and Drag-mode Launch Assist. TransBrake locks the transmission output shaft to hold the car in place before a standing start. This lets the driver increase engine speed up to 2,350 rpm without overpowering the brakes for quicker power delivery and more torque at launch. Drag-mode Launch Assist is engineered to reduce wheel hop and maximize traction at launch by utilizing the wheel-speed sensors and reducing torque spikes when the tires slip.
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Performance Pages
Challenger SRT Demon owners can set up the car for on-road driving, drag strip performance or any combination using the Performance Pages and the Drive Modes displayed on the UConnect 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Performance Pages provide information including engine horsepower and torque, with shift points indicated; supercharger coolant temperature; timers for reaction time, zero-to-60 mph, 1-100 mph; eighth-mile and quarter-mile elapsed time and vehicle speed; instant and peak longitudinal and later g-forces; and gauge readouts for engine oil temperature and pressure, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, intake air temperature, air-fuel ratio; intercooler coolant temperature, boost pressure and battery voltage.
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Drive Modes
The Challenger SRT Demon Drive Modes include Auto, Drag and Custom, which is exclusive to SRT Demon. In Auto Mode, engine power output is based on the black or red key; driver can select power level; transmission, suspension and steering default to auto mode; driver can set suspension and steering preference; Electronic Stability Control defaults to full on; paddle shifters can be used; and Eco mode is available.
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Drag Mode
In Drag Mode, when configured with with high-octane unleaded fuel capability, high-octane fuel level is available; transmission is optimized for acceleration; suspension calibration changes to full firm in the rear and firm compression/soft rebound in the front; paddle shift is turned on; steering is set to Drag Mode for high-speed stability; cabin cooling is diverted to SRT Power Chiller; torque converter lockup point is raised and TransBrake is available in Drag Mode only. In Custom Mode, the driver can configure nearly every option available in either Auto or Drag.
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Demon Crate
The Demon Crate is offered to SRT Demon buyers and contains tools and parts to maximize performance at the drag strip and is customized with the buyer’s name and serial number. Demon Crate 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 and narrow, front-runner drag wheels.
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New Tools
The Demon Crate also includes 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 and foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools
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Limited Production
Production will be limited to a single model-year run with delivery to dealers in the fall. Just 3,000 units are planned for the U.S. and 300 units for Canada. Challenger SRT Demon is covered by FCA US factory warranty, including three-year/36,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.
