Wild 764kW Demon 170 is the quickest, most powerful V8 muscle car ever from Dodge – and its last
The new 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 that was launched overnight at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the US is deemed so quick it’s already banned from competing on the drag strip it was designed for – unless owners fit a safety cage or parachute.
That’s because the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been created to be the quickest, fastest, most powerful muscle car in the world.
It’s also the first factory production car ever to complete the quarter mile in less than nine seconds, according to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) which certified the SRT Demon 170’s incredible 8.9-second run at an astonishing 151.17mph (243.28km/h).
According to the NHRA, any car that is capable of a sub-9sec quarter mile (402.2m) must have extra safety equipment.
It’s no wonder the Challenger SRT Demon 170 is so fast; running on an E85 ethanol-petrol mix, it produces an astonishing 764kW and 1280Nm of torque from its 6.2-litre supercharged V8.
Even on regular fuel, the most powerful iteration of the Demon to ever emerge from the factory can still muster 671kW and 1097Nm.
That provides for a blistering acceleration claim of 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in just 1.66 seconds – and although that figure includes a roll-out, it should still reach 100km/h from rest in 2.0sec.
To produce such epic power has required some serious engineering, including a powertrain that includes a larger intake system, smaller supercharger pulley and a larger 3.0-litre supercharger (up from 2.7L) that increases boost pressure by a remarkable 40 per cent to 21.3psi.
Helping the Demon keep its cool, the air-conditioner now diverts cooling air to the supercharger to help keep it at an optimal temperature.
Ensuring the Dodge can deploy all its might to the drag strip, there’s a new pair of 315mm-wide stickier Mickey Thompson radial tyres, plus a new Drag suspension mode that maximises traction.
To cope with the enhance torque levels, there’s a new axle that’s 53 per cent stronger than before, plus a prop shaft that’s 30 per cent more rigid.
Saving weight, the front wheel-arch extenders have been deleted (saving 7kg alone), while new optional carbon-fibre wheels are also available.
As much as 70kg can be shaved from the kerb weight compared to a regular Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody, although to reach that maximum you have to delete the passenger seat, rear bench, boot carpet and all the sound deadening material.
As standard, you get cloth seats a two-speaker stereo.
Helping identify the drag-suited Demon for lesser Challengers, the swansong muscle car features ‘170’ badges and “alcohol-injected” graphics on the bonnet.
A new option of a satin-black finish for the bonnet, roof and boot lid has also been added.
Dodge says it will make just 3300 units of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, with 3000 reserved for the US and the final 300 destined for Canadian buyers.
Each car will be priced from $US96,666 ($A145,200), with production set to begin in the third quarter.
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Keyword: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 sends off V8 in style