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Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: Fastest and most powerful muscle car in the world

Dodge's seventh and final "Last Call" special-edition Challenger model is the quickest, fastest, and most powerful muscle car in the world: the 1,025-hp 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. It will do 0 to 60 in a mind-blowing 1.66 sec. Dodge is ending the production of its Challenger and Charger muscle cars in 2023.

With its 1,025-hp (at 6,500 rpm), 945 lb.-ft. (at 4,200 rpm) production 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the quickest vehicle ever produced in the brand's 100-plus-year history and features the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 gs. It can also reach 900 hp and 810 lb-ft of torque on E10 fuel.

The mega muscle car features the proven TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission, with an updated output flange to accommodate a larger diameter and stronger prop shaft.

The Demon 170 is also the first factory production car to run the quarter-mile under 9 sec with a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified 8.91-sec ET at 151.17 mph. On the drag strip, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 receives an NHRA violation letter for running a sub-9-sec quarter-mile without a safety cage or parachute, following in the footsteps of the original Demon, which was also banned from NHRA quarter miles.

Best of all, at the end of the day it's a street-legal ride.

Dodge "Last Call" vehicles commemorate the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, which are coming to an end in their current HEMI-engine-powered forms at the end of 2023. Six special-edition "Last Call" vehicles were previously introduced, leading up to the reveal of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.

Extensive component upgrades have resulted in delivery of a nearly brand-new engine, as well as additional features that assist in harnessing the 1,025 horsepower of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, including:

• Improved Supercharger: Modified 3.0-liter supercharger upgraded with a larger snout with 105-mm throttle body, and 3.02-in. pulley increases boost pressure 40% over the Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody;
• Fueling Horsepower: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 achieves full horsepower output through high ethanol fuel blends: horsepower levels are determined by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content;
• Driveline Upgrades: All-new driveline with 240-mm ring gear, 53% stronger differential housing using aerospace-grade metals, rear prop shaft 30% stronger, and stronger half shafts;
• Massive Drag Radials: 315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials -- never offered before on a production car -- and Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street front tires deliver extra force on the strip or street;
• TransBrake 2.0: Patent-pending TransBrake 2.0 provides torque-shaping capability and easier driver interaction to dial in preset torque limits;
• Unique Drag Mode Suspension: Uniquely tuned valves in adaptive-damping shocks provide maximum weight transfer and custom race settings for drag calibrations; and
• Staggered Widebody Design: First-ever factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares.

The heart of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 shares DNA with the Direct Connection Hellephant C170 crate engine (another reason for the "170" proof callout in the new Demon model's name), part of the Direct Connection family of Hellephant crate engines that debuted last year at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Direct Connection is the Dodge brand's factory-backed performance parts lineup.

Engine upgrades implemented in the Demon's rebirth include:

• 3.0L Supercharger: Modified from the Direct Connection Hellephant C170 crate engine supercharger, a 40% increase is achieved in boost pressure, taking the Demon 170 to 21.3 psi compared to 15.3 psi for the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, with 30% more airflow;
• Supercharger Pulley: The 3.02-in. pulley delivers 14% more overdrive compared to the Hellcat Redeye Widebody and features an updated 2.68 drive ratio;
• Fuel Rail/Injectors: High-flow fuel injectors are capable of providing 164 gal/hr, more than the average U.S. shower head; fast response ethanol sensor is integrated into the fuel injector rail;
• 105-mm Diameter Throttle Body: Increased throttle body diameter results in 33% higher air-flow volume than the Hellcat Redeye Widebody or 2018 SRT Demon;
• Valvetrain: Nitride-coated intake valves and upgraded valve guides and seat materials assist with ethanol compatibility;
• Cylinder Head/Clamp Load: Aerospace-specification high-strength steel studs with steel inserts integrated into the aluminum cylinder head contribute to a 38% increase in clamping load;
• Main Bearing Caps/Clamp Load: Upgraded head and main cap fasteners for increased clamping load capability allow a 44% increase in clamping load compared to the Redeye, with aerospace-specification high-strength steel bolts and billet steel main caps;
• Cylinder Pressure: Cylinder pressure is 32% higher than the Hellcat Redeye Widebody, measuring 2,500 psi on E85 fuel;
• Main Rod/Bearings: Main and rod bearing materials upgraded to copper-lead for increased load capability;
• Connecting Rod: Higher-strength connecting rod and improved pin bushing support increased combustion pressure;
• Block Machining: Modified machining for head studs and main bearing cap bolts;
• Crank Damper: Viscous damper assists in reducing torsional vibration; and
• Spark Plugs: New spark plugs with lower heat range for optimal combustion with ethanol fuel.

A recalibrated powertrain control module (PCM) optimizes fueling and spark timing for both premium and high-ethanol blended fuel. Ethanol percentage is automatically shown in the vehicle instrument cluster, and a gas pump icon appears in the cluster when a significant percentage of ethanol is detected in the fuel. The horsepower rating adjusts automatically and is displayed based on the ethanol percentage in the fuel. When a 20% threshold of ethanol is detected, the gas pump icon located in the cluster will appear as white. When high ethanol fuel content of more than 65% is detected, the cluster icon morphs to blue, informing the driver that the Demon's maximum 1,025-hp output can be unleashed.

The innovative SRT Power Chiller, a purpose-built production car first for the original Demon, returns to help cool down the SRT Demon 170. Compared to vehicles without a chiller, the feature can reduce air induction temperature by up to 45 degrees F, diverting the air conditioning system to cool the supercharger intercooler for optimal air-intake temperature. The Demon 170's standard Race Cool Down feature also provides additional cooling after the engine has been shut down following a run down the strip.

Two additional key returning features of the Demon are the Air-Grabber hood and the Air Catcher headlamps. The features maximize air-intake flow with functional, illuminated headlights that work in conjunction with the air-induction hood.

TransBrake 2.0, a second-generation version of the first-ever feature that debuted on the original 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, is reborn with patent-pending updates that allow the driver to configure and select from multiple launch-torque profiles to match the engine power delivery to specific track conditions, technology used in competitive drag racing. TransBrake 2.0 is accessed quickly through an easily reachable new button located near the center console, taking the driver straight to the TransBrake Performance Page on the main display screen.

TransBrake allows engine throttle to be increased up to 2,350 rpm and generates greater powertrain energy with maximum torque converter multiplication, an up to 110% increase in engine stall torque compared to brake torque, and produces up to 15% more torque at the rear tires during launch.

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 arrives with standard 17- by 11-in. rear and 18- by 8-in. front forged aluminum wheels, with a lightweight carbon-fiber wheel option.

These massive 17- by 11-in. rear wheels accommodate wider, taller, and higher-profile Mickey Thompson P315/50R17 ET Street R drag radials that provide a large contact footprint. Developed exclusively for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 by Mickey Thompson Tires, this bespoke version of the ET Street R drag radials features added grooves for improved on-street performance.

The smaller 18- by 8-in. front wheels keep weight and rolling resistance down and fit Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street front tires, optimized for the drag strip. The lighter-weight front set helps transfer weight to the rear and delivers a significantly higher coefficient traction when compared to street tires used on similar surfaces. Rear Widebody fender flares cover the Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials in the back, while standard-configuration front fenders keep weight down by 17 lb.

Drag Mode is one of three drive modes for the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, along with Custom and Auto (Street) Mode options. SRT Performance Pages keep the driver in tune with the vehicle's vital signs through a full slate of real-time performance stats, including timer pages with data on reaction times and 0-to-60 times, gauge information, G-force numbers, engine performance information, and dynamometer horsepower and torque stats.

The SRT Demon 170 will be available in 14 exterior color options, including returning heritage exterior colors B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple, and Sublime green, plus popular modern color Destroyer Grey. All colors will also be available with an optional unique Satin Black painted hood or a Satin Black painted hood, roof, and decklid.

The Challenger SRT Demon 170 badging reimagines the original Demon badge with a "170" neck tattoo and a new E85-representative yellow demon's eye.

Inside, a new Challenger SRT Demon 170-specific cluster screen shares a red gauge design, with a red Demon 170 main cluster graphic. The Alcantara performance steering wheel carries an LED "SRT" logo, and real carbon-fiber bezels add to the performance feel of the interior. The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 comes with a lightweight houndstooth cloth interior sporting the Demon 170 logo on the driver seat. The cloth interior cuts content to minimize weight and maximize performance, featuring standard passenger seat delete, rear seat delete, trunk carpet delete, sound insulation delete, trunk light and dress delete and bright pedal delete, along with a minimal two-speaker audio system. A premium leather interior option adds more content and customer-convenience features, with black Alcantara/Laguna leather seats carrying the Demon 170 logo, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, an 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a Harman Kardon amplifier and trunk-mounted sub, and more.

The fastest Dodge Challenger ever will be delivered only with red key fobs. The 2018 Challenger SRT Demon featured a black key fob to limit horsepower and a red key fob to unlock full output; the new Demon unleashes horsepower levels determined not by a key, but by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content.

Production of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will begin this summer and will be limited to 3,300 units (3,000 for the United States and 300 for Canada).

Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $96,666.

Source: Dodge/Stellantis

Published April 2023

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