Dodge made headlines when it launched the Dodge Challenger Demon in 2018. It came out ten years after the Dodge reintroduced the Challenger nameplate. Just like the ‘70s Challenger, it is meant to take on the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The Demon took the horsepower game to another level by becoming the most powerful Dodge Challenger and production pony car by far. Its production came to an end in 2018 after 3,300 Dodge Challenger Demons rolled off the assembly line. Since then, the Dodge Challenger Demon has built a reputation on the street and drag strip. You can easily recognize a Challenger Demon with its wide-body kit and Demon badges on the front fender.
The Dodge Challenger Demon is loaded with Dodge SRT high-performance parts. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 block is an aggressive derivative of the Hemi V8 used in the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The power plant is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode.
The Challenger Demon’s horsepower rating is placed at 808 hp on 91-octane premium gas. It goes further up to 840 hp when the engine is fed with 100-octane race fuel, a massive figure for a street-legal car. The high-powered Dodge Challenger Demon accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds, topping off at 168 mph. It can race down the quarter mile in under 10 seconds. The car is so quick that a roll cage must be installed before it can run on NHRA-sanctioned drag strips.
Dodge added unique features to further enhance the Challenger Demon’s performance. The “SRT Torque Reserve” works as an anti-lag system. It helps the supercharger create maximum boost without putting strain on the engine. On the other hand, the “SRT Power Chiller” uses the air-conditioning refrigerant to cool and compress air coming in through the intake. Both systems are meant to help the engine produce all 840 horsepower.
There is also the transmission brake that prevents the Dodge Challenger Demon from moving when it revs under 2,350 RPM. It can be engaged only in “Drag Mode.” This comes in handy when staging the car on the drag strip and for burnouts.
The Dodge Challenger Demon also came with a tool crate for drag racing. The crate contains a hydraulic floor jack, cordless impact wrench and charger, torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, fender cover, and duffel bag. These tools make it easy for you to put the skinny front wheels on once the Challenger Demon is on the drag strip.
The Dodge Challenger Demon’s price tag was $86,090 in 2018. But before Dodge hands you the keys, you have to sign the “Demon Customer Acknowledgement” form. This waiver makes sure that you are fully aware of the implications of driving a high-performance car.
The document describes the car as follows:
“The Demon is a unique performance Vehicle with unique characteristics, parts, systems, and capabilities and performs unlike other vehicles. It is imperative that you understand and acknowledge the unique characteristics of this Vehicle before purchasing or driving.”
The waiver continues with warnings on the Demon’s passenger delete option. It states, “in the case of a collision or other accident, people riding in those areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.” Dodge clarifies that you should not install a passenger seat if the car came standard without one.
It then specifies that the Demon’s Department Of Transport-compliant Nitto NT05R drag radial tires are best used on the track only. If used beyond their intended purpose, the tires lose their integrity and risk damage.
Dodge offered the 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat side-by-side with the Demon. The Hellcat variant has a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 matched with a six-speed manual transmission. The powertrain produced 707 horsepower, about 100 horsepower shy of the Demon’s base 808-horsepower output. Clearly, the 2018 Demon is the more potent car than the 2018 Hellcat based on the spec sheet comparison below:
| Demon | Hellcat | |
| Engine | 6.2-liter supercharged V8 | 6.2-liter supercharged V8 |
| Power | 840 hp (on 100-octane gas) | 707 hp |
| Torque | 770 lb-ft | 650 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed semi-automatic | 6-speed manual |
| 0-60 mph | 2.3 sec | 4.0 sec |
| Top speed | 211 mph | 195 mph |
| Quarter mile | 9.65 sec @ 140 mph | 12.40 sec @ 120 mph |
While the Demon is already out of production, the Hellcat continues to be sold today. The 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat has improved performance figures, with an increase of ten horsepower totalling to 717 horsepower.
Dodge came up with the 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye. This car is the middle ground between the Demon and Hellcat. The Redeye boasts a 797-horsepower Hemi V8 and can be paired with an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and finish a quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at 125 mph.
Despite all the new high-performance Dodge Challenger variants, the Demon remains to be the uncontested champion. But with the pace of automotive developments today, it might just be a matter of time before a new contender tries to take over the Demon’s throne.
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