Dodge Demon is the Most Powerful Muscle Car Ever

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

The new Dodge Demon is finally here, and it is so fast, it’s officially banned by NHRA.

Making its debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show after months of teasing, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon brings a maximum of 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque from a 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 supercharged engine.

That means it’s not only the most powerful muscle car ever, it also has the highest-horsepower V8 production car engine ever produced. Dodge is attaching several accolades to the Challenger SRT Demon, including a Guinness World Record for the first-ever front-wheel lift in a production car, holding the tires a small gap off the ground for 2.92 feet of driving distance.

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It is also the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car with a time of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph, certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Speaking of NHRA, the American automaker says the Challenger SRT Demon is too fast for the drag strip, so it has been officially banned by NHRA.

As you can imagine, the Demon also holds the world’s fastest zero-to-60 time in a production car at 2.3 seconds. Oh yeah, there’s also the largest functional hood scoop of any production car, measuring 45.2 square inches.

2017 New York Auto Show Coverage

Compared to the Hellcat V8 engine, the Demon has a larger supercharger: 2.7 liters versus 2.4 liters; boost pressure has also been increased from 11.6 psi to 14.5 psi, while redline goes from 6,200 rpm to 6,500 rpm. The fuel system has been upgraded with two dual-stage fuel pumps instead of one, and there’s a larger induction air box with three sources of intake air: Air-Grabber hood, driver-side Air-Catcher headlamp and an inlet near the wheel liner. And before you ask, the engine does meet all applicable legal emissions regulations.

The exterior of the Demon also brings the first-ever, factory-production muscle car with widebody fender flares. Designed to amplify the Demon’s menacing stance, the fender flares also allow room for wider tires. It comes with 18×11-inch wheels with exclusive, specifically designed Demon-branded 315/40/18 Nitto NT05R drag radials up front and in the rear, adding 3.5 inches to the Challenger SRT Demon’s overall width.

In the standard configuration, both the front passenger seat and rear seat, along with their corresponding seat belts, have been removed. Customers do however have the option of adding seats back into the car, as well as adding leather coverings, when it is ordered. And the best part? It’ll cost a $1 to option back in each seat.

As teased before, the Demon also comes with the Demon Crate, packed with a ton of goodies to fully unleash the car’s potential at the drag strip. The Demon Crate is fully customized with the buyer’s name, VIN and serial number and 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
  • Narrow, front-runner drag wheels
  • 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
  • Foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools

Production of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will begin this summer at the Brampton Assembly plant with deliveries starting in fall. A total of 3,300 units will be produced for model year 2018 with 3,000 heading to the U.S. and the remaining 300 reserved for Canada.

Discuss this story on our Dodge Challenger Forum

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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  • Pierre Sandoval Pierre Sandoval on Apr 14, 2017

    The car isn't banned by the NHRA. It just has to follow all the rules, same as all late model performance cars. Once start running 9's you just need to add some safety features. This story was already debunked by a better group of journalists..

  • John Spires John Spires on May 03, 2017

    Amazes me how many haters about this...why? I don't like Taylor Swift and never pay her any mind. STFU you cry babies.

    • Runner Runner on Apr 05, 2018

      LOL John!!!! You should have seen us racing Mopars on Archer Ave in Chicago and then for the big Cash Racing we would go to a Place called Back of the Yards. Anyhow........... We used to Take 7-8 Races every night and I Mean Every Night Back in the late 70s We were always outnumbered 3 0r 4 to 1 to. Not all of them but the BIG MAJORITY if Bow Tie Guys Would complain their car backfired, tire was running low, Clyinder misfire, Whine and HATE!!! Don't get me wrong, there were some cool guys/Girls too its just the Whiners always ruined it

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