Dodge has once again outdone itself with the production of its latest and most powerful muscle car, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. The car was unveiled at the Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Vegas performance festival at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Under the hood, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 boasts a 1,025-horsepower production HEMI® engine that delivers 945 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. With this kind of power, the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds, making it the quickest vehicle ever produced by Dodge.
One of the most impressive features of the Challenger SRT Demon 170 is its ability to run the 1/4-mile in under nine seconds. It clocked an NHRA-certified 8.91-second ET @ 151.17 mph, making it the first factory production car to achieve this feat. However, due to its incredible speed, the NHRA has banned this car from participating in 1/4-mile races without a safety cage or parachute.
To achieve this level of performance, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 comes with several upgrades, including a modified 3.0-liter supercharger with a larger snout, a 105mm throttle body, and a 3.02-inch pulley that increases boost pressure by 40% over the Challenger HELLCAT Redeye Widebody. It also features a patent-pending TransBrake 2.0 that provides the torque-shaping capability and easier driver interaction to dial-in preset torque limits.
Additionally, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 achieves full horsepower output through high ethanol fuel blends, with horsepower levels determined by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content. The car also comes with never-before-seen 315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials and Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street front tires, which provide an extra force on the strip or street.
The Challenger SRT Demon 170 is built with a staggered widebody design, making it the first-ever factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares. It also features an all-new driveline with a 240mm ring gear, a 53% stronger differential housing using aerospace-grade metals, a rear prop shaft 30% stronger, and stronger half shafts.
Production of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will begin this summer, with a limited run of at most 3,300 units, 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. The MSRP for the car is $96,666, excluding destination and fees.
However, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis has not yet confirmed that this is the final production number. It’s possible that the final production number could be more or less than the initial announcement, depending on the demand for these cars in the market. Production of the current-gen Dodge Challenger will continue until December, so we will have to wait and see how the market responds to this limited-edition model.
But there is something you should know about the Demon 170 before ordering one. Like the original 2018 car, the Demon 170 is a single-seat car. The customer can add an optional package to add a passenger seat and rear bench, however, this time they won’t cost $1 a piece. Instead, it will set you back a whopping $2,500, making it more expensive for buyers who want to bring friends along for the ride. In addition, buyers who pay for five seats can delete the rear bench at no extra cost.
If you’re interested in a sunroof, be prepared to pay a steep price of $10,000, which seems to be intentionally set high to discourage buyers from selecting this option.
Those interested in purchasing one can view available dealer allocations via the Dodge Horsepower Locator tool at DodgeGarage.com with ordering beginning on March 27th, 2023.
| 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon vs 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 | ||
| 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon | 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 | |
| Engine: | Supercharged 6.2-liter (376 cu. in.) HEMI® Demon H.O. V8 | Supercharged 6.2-liter (376 cu. in.) HEMI® C-170 V8 |
| Max Horsepower: | 840 horsepower | 1,025 horsepower |
| Max Torque: | 770 Ib.-ft. of torque | 945 Ib.-ft. of torque |
| 0 to 60 mph: | 2.3 sec. | 1.66 sec. |
| 1/4-mile time: | 9.65 sec. | 8.91 sec. |
| 1/4-mile speed: | 140 mph | 156 mph |
| Base MSRP: | $84,995* | $96,666* |
| Production #: | 3,000 US / 300 CAN = 3,300 | 3,000 US / 300 CAN = 3,300? |
Current owners of the original 2018 Challenger SRT Demon will have a unique opportunity to match the same vehicle identification number as their original Demon when finalizing their order. Dealer orders at MSRP will receive priority scheduling, so interested buyers should act fast if they want to secure one of these limited-edition muscle cars.
In conclusion, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is an incredible feat of engineering and performance, sure to be highly sought after by muscle car enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its limited production run and unparalleled speed and power make it an exceptional addition to the Dodge family of vehicles.
