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SRT Demon 170
The end of the HEMI V8 internal-combustion engine is coming, and the legendary powerplant is going out with a bang — a huge bang. After introducing six special-edition “Last Call” Challengers, Dodge took the wraps off the last in the series: the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. With more than 1,000 horsepower on tap, the Demon 170 will be the quickest, fastest and most powerful muscle car in the world.
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Celebrating the Muscle Car
“To celebrate the end of the HEMI muscle-car era, we pulled off all the governors to reach a new level, a new benchmark of ‘factory-crazy’ production car performance,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer — Stellantis. “In 2015, Dodge shocked the world with the 707 horsepower Hellcat. Then in 2018 we did it with the 840 horsepower Demon, and now we are doing it again with the 1,025 horsepower Demon 170, the world’s first sustainable-energy, eight-second factory-production, street-legal muscle car,” observed Kuniskis.
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HEMI Power
This final “Last Call’ Challenger Demon 170 is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 boasting an amazing output of 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm when running on E85 ethanol blend fuel. E85 fuel is 170 proof, thus the Demon 170 name. Power output is still an impressive 900 horsepower and 810 lb-ft of torque running standard pump gasoline. Horsepower ratings adjust automatically based on ethanol percentage, and this figure displays in the instrument cluster. Power gets sent to the rear wheels via a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission.
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Stronger Powertrain
It may carry the Demon moniker, but this Demon 170 is different from the original. The modifications list is extensive, including a 3.0-liter Supercharger that gets 30 percent more airflow than the SRT Hellcat Redeye; high-flow fuel injectors that can deliver 164 gallons/hour; increased throttle body for 33 percent higher airflow than the original Demon; and 32 percent higher cylinder pressure then Hellcat Redeye. To manage that much power being sent to the road, the Demon 170 gets a rear prop shaft that is 30 percent stronger than the original 2018 Demon.
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Outrageous Performance
The performance stats of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 are beyond extreme. With the proper fuel and perfect track conditions, the Demon 170 will reach 60 mph in 1.66 seconds while delivering more than 2 Gs of acceleration force. The NHRA certified the Demon 170 runs the quarter mile in 8.91 seconds at a speed of 151.17 mph — so quick that the NHRA immediately banned the Demon from competition for hitting this speed without a safety cage or parachute. Both of these features are available (yes, Dodge will sell you a parachute).
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Balance
Launching a 1,000+ horsepower muscle car down a dragstrip requires balance and precision. To this end, Dodge has provided Demon 170 with adaptive-damping Bilstein shocks with uniquely tuned valves for improved launch response. The revised rear suspension increases the contact patch under load to limit the front end from lifting under full throttle — it still lifts, but is better controlled.
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Tires
The Dodge Challenger Demon 170 is the first production car with drag radials, developed specifically for the Demon 170 by Mickey Thompson Tires. The rear wheels get shod with 315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials, along with Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street tires on the front for ultimate traction on the street or drag strip. A street tire package will be available. (The drag radials are also street-legal, although not the best choice for driving during inclement weather.)
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Standout Design
At first glance, this new model looks like the original 2018 Dodge Demon, and it is very similar with the same Air-Grabber hood and Air Catcher headlights. The Demon 170 has no fender flares on the front (saving 16 pounds), and the Demon 170 badging updates the original Demon badge with a 170 “neck tattoo” and yellow eyes.
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Special Wheels
Dodge will make the Demon 170 available with Lacks Enterprises two-piece carbon fiber wheels with a forged aluminum center, fastened with titanium alloy bolts. Not only do these wheels save considerable weight — 20 pounds up front, 12 pounds at the rear — they provide a more consistent tire load and can spin quicker for improved handling and acceleration.
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Interior — Basic or Luxury
For the series drag racer, the Demon 170 comes with a lightweight houndstooth cloth interior, a basic 2-speaker audio system, and the removal of the passenger seat, rear seat, trunk carpet and sound insulation. For those not ready to give up these niceties, the Demon 170 can be outfitted with heated and cooled seats trimmed in Alcantara/Laguna leather, a heated steering wheel, and an 18-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. Demonic Red Leather is available.
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Demon Extras
Dodge wants to take special care of its new Demon owners and is providing a custom Demon decanter set for all who purchase the new Demon 170. The set includes a Demon-style decanter with the owner’s name and VIN engraved on the back, Demon-badged coasters and whiskey cubes, rocks glasses, a Demon 170 Supercharger badge cover, and a unique Demon 170 illustration on the inside of the set cover.
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Buyer Beware
As the company did with the original Demon, buyers of this new extreme muscle car must sign a waiver before being permitted to purchase. The release acknowledges that the driver understands the risks involved in buying a purpose-built street-legal drag car. Owners also get a one-day SRT Experience class at Radford Racing School to help them operate their new demonic Challenger.
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Available Soon
Dodge plans to build a maximum of 3,300 Challenger Demon 170s, with 3,000 coming to the U.S. and 300 earmarked for Canada. The MSRP for this unique Challenger is $96,666 and orders can be placed starting on March 27 with production beginning this summer. Owners of the original 2018 Demon who are lucky enough to secure a slot for the new model can request the same VIN as their first Demon.
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What’s Next?
While the HEMI V8 will be going away, Dodge has no plans to walk away from its heritage of building high-performance muscle cars. Last year the brand debuted the Charger Daytona SRT Concept — an all-electric muscle car that delivers better performance than a Hellcat. The new electric Charger is expected to arrive sometime next year.
