2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: Monster Drag Racer

The room was packed and the stage brought to life with pyrotechnics. FCA pulled the veil off the Dodge Demon, a long-anticipated machine. Leading up to this, the company had leaked a few videos and photos, but the big picture wasn’t clear. Until now.

We got the full scoop on the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and, frankly, it has us drooling.

The Demon is a Dodge Challenger specially prepped for drag racing. It can take gas with an octane rating of up to 100. And even though its tires were specially designed for the drag strip, they’re also street legal.

This car covers the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds, which is significantly faster than a Tesla Model S. In fact, its 0-100 km/h time is something like 2.2 seconds in good conditions. The 0-160 km/h dash takes just 5.1 seconds.

These figures can be attributed to its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that churns out 808 horsepower and 717 lb.-ft. of torque with 91-octane super unleaded, or 840 horsepower and 770 lb.-ft. of torque with racing fuel (100 octane). The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.

Drag mode slackens the front suspension and firms up the rear suspension to maximize traction, which explains the mind-blowing numbers.

Visually, there aren’t many differences between the Demon and the “regular” Challenger. It’s hot, husky and cut. A total success across the board.

We’re chomping at the bit to test the Demon, which is even more extreme than the Hellcat products.

Photo: Sylvain Raymond
Share on Facebook

More on the subject

New Models2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: Forced Air to Increase Horsepower
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ marketing team has done a good job so far of keeping our interest in the Dodge Demon. The fifth teaser video—of 15!—has been released today, and reveals a little more about the future drag-strip queen’s engine. First of all, while last week’s “Crate” video made us wonder …
Blog2017 Dodge Challenger GT: Mandatory AWD?
I’ve never been one to be convinced that AWD is useful. My last three “daily” drivers have all had all four wheels working for them and I promise you that my regular car (i.e., not a Miata, or MK1 Scirocco, or even a 1949 Ford F-1) will always be motivated …
NewsFCA to Dealers: Don’t Take Deposits on Dodge Demons Yet
FCA has issued a warning against dealerships who may be taking deposits on the upcoming 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon muscle car: don’t. The automaker officially unveiled the Demon at last month’s New York Auto Show, but pricing and allocations haven’t even been announced yet. There were similar issues with …
First Drives2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: Hell Hath No Fury
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – An entire book could be written about the new Challenger SRT Demon and its bold personality, singular design and untold secrets. In fact, the fanatics at the SRT performance division have already written and printed this book for 300 lucky Canadians who have $110,000 to buy this …
First Drives2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody: the Next Logical Step
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Three years ago, Dodge and its SRT performance division tapped into a massive market by launching the first Hellcat versions of the Challenger coupe and Charger sedan. Those who doubted the viability and safety of these big American cars with 707-horsepower turbocharged V8 engines were shocked at …
NewsFinal Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Exits Plant; Watch and Bid on it!
FCA made it very clear last year when it launched the industry’s first and only purpose-built, street-legal production drag car (capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds): production would be limited to 3,300 units and a single model year. Well, the end of the run came yesterday …