2018 Dodge Challenger Demon

Engine

6.2-liter supercharged and intercooled ohv V-8, with 840 horsepower (on race fuel)

Transmission

Eight-Speed ZF Automatic with a trans brake

Demon was the world’s fastest production car when released in 2018.

All you really need to know about the Demon is that upon its announcement Dodge celebrated it as “the most powerful muscle car ever. Like the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, Demon shows a strong familial resemblance to the Challenger R/T muscle car built from 1970 to 1974. Unlike the original Challenger muscle car or the Hellcat, the Demon sports some aggressive fender flares to accomodate wide drag racing tires.

The Challenger SRT Hellcat is the basis on which this even more potent dose of modern muscle medicine has been developed. That car was so fast as to boggle the mind, while this car is substantially faster. Many parts are changed to evolve the Hellcat into the Demon, but quite a few parts go away, like the rear seat, and even the front passenger seat. Either can be optioned for $1.00. The audio system speakers are also dumped, as is the trunk trim and all sound-deadening insulation except for that at the firewall. The 20-inch wheels were replaced with lighter 18-inch rims, and the anti-roll bars are hollow to save additional weight. Many components were drilled and on the Demon, steering wheel adjustment is manual. Overall, the Demon weight 215 pounds less than a Hellcat. To drive home the point that this car is more suited to the drag strip, than the drive home, it is fitted with a set of four Nitto drag tires. To enhance drag performance, each owner receives a voucher to order a “Demon Crate,” which includes a set of 4.5-inch front wheels, floor jack, impact wrench, torque wrench and more.

The less visible changes are the ones that actually make the Demon so incredibly powerful. The engine block and heads are the same as on the Hellcat, although for the Demon they are red. All other components have been strengthened. The supercharger has grown to 2.7 liters, allowing a boost increase from 11.6 to 14.5 psi. Engine airflow is increased, and modifications are made to make the intercooler more effective. One such change is using the air-conditioning system to dramatically reduce coolant temperature.

As a result of the many tweaks, the 0-60 time is down to 2.3 seconds and a quarter-mile takes just 9.675 seconds at 140 mph. It is so fast, that it can’t even run at an NHRA-sanctioned dragstrip without a roll