At the Roadkill Nights Vegas performance festival held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dodge unveiled its latest muscle car, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, which is touted as the fastest, quickest, and most powerful model in its class with a whopping 1,025 horsepower. This new model marks the seventh and final “Last Call” special-edition offering from the brand.
The Car –
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 boasts a remarkable 1,025-horsepower HEMI® engine, capable of generating 945 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. It sets a new standard for speed, with a mind-boggling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds and the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 gs. On E10 fuel, the Demon 170 can deliver an impressive 900 horsepower and 810 lb.-ft. of torque.
This special-edition Dodge vehicle stands out from the rest with its unprecedented performance. It is the fastest car ever produced by Dodge in its 100-plus-year history, becoming the first factory production car to run a quarter-mile in less than nine seconds with an NHRA-certified 8.91-second ET at 151.17 mph. However, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 is not permitted to run in NHRA quarter miles due to safety reasons, just like its predecessor, the original Demon, which was also banned from NHRA quarter miles.
The Challenger SRT Demon 170, will only come with red key fobs, as black keys are not allowed. In the previous 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, a black key fob was used to limit horsepower, while a red key fob unlocked the full power. However, in the new Demon, the horsepower levels are determined by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content, instead of using a key fob.
“To celebrate the end of the HEMI muscle-car era, we pulled off all the governors to reach a new level, a new benchmark of ‘factory-crazy’ production car performance,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge CEO. “In 2015, Dodge shocked the world with the 707-horsepower HELLCAT. Then, in 2018, we did it with the 840-horsepower Demon, and now we are doing it again with the 1,025-horsepower Demon 170, the world’s first sustainable-energy, eight-second, factory-production, street-legal muscle car.”
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 boasts an array of component upgrades that have resulted in a nearly brand-new engine, capable of delivering a staggering 1,025 horsepower. The modifications include an improved 3.0-liter supercharger, upgraded with a larger snout, 105mm throttle body, and 3.02-inch pulley, resulting in a 40% increase in boost pressure compared to the Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody. The car can achieve its full horsepower output using high ethanol fuel blends, with horsepower levels determined by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content.
Other enhancements include an all-new driveline with a 240mm ring gear, a 53% stronger differential housing made with aerospace-grade metals, a rear prop shaft that is 30% stronger,, and stronger half shafts. The car also features 315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials (the first time these have been offered on a production car) and Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street front tires. A patent-pending TransBrake 2.0 provides the torque-shaping capability and easier driver interaction to dial-in preset torque limits. The car also features uniquely tuned valves in adaptive-damping shocks for maximum weight transfer and custom race settings for drag calibrations. Finally, the car has a staggered widebody design and is the first factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares.
Production Numbers / Cost –
Production of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will begin this summer, with a limited run of at most 3,300 units, including 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. The final number of units produced will depend on production capacity.
Dodge is also offering current owners of the original 2018 Challenger SRT Demon the chance to match the same vehicle identification number as their original Demon if they secure a dealer allocation for the new 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.
Starting today, the Dodge Horsepower Locator tool at DodgeGarage.com will display the available dealer allocations for the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, which will be sold at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $96,666 (excluding destination and fees). Ordering for this model will begin on March 27th, 2023 and will close on May 15th, 2023. Dealer orders placed at MSRP will be given priority scheduling.
The Engine –
The factory-built Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 boasts an impressive 1,025 horsepower, which is no easy feat. Almost all of the primary engine power components, with the exception of the camshaft, have undergone upgrades to achieve this remarkable power output.
The supercharged HEMI engine, which serves as the beating heart of the Demon 170, shares genetic material with the Direct Connection Hellephant C170 crate engine, which is also part of the Direct Connection family of Hellephant crate engines. The callout to “170” in the Demon’s name is a reference to this lineage. Direct Connection is a performance parts lineup that is officially supported by the Dodge brand.
The upgraded Dodge Challenger SRT Demon boasts several enhancements to its engine, including a modified 3.0-liter supercharger that increases boost pressure by 40% and airflow by 30%, a 3.02-inch supercharger pulley that provides 14% more overdrive and features an updated drive ratio, and high-flow fuel injectors with an integrated ethanol sensor.
The vehicle also features a larger 105mm throttle body for a 33% increase in air-flow volume, nitride-coated intake valves, upgraded valve guides and seat materials for compatibility with ethanol fuel, and aerospace-specification high-strength steel studs and bolts for increased clamping load capability.
Other enhancements include upgraded main and rod bearings, a higher-strength connecting rod, modified block machining, a viscous crank damper, and new spark plugs with a lower heat range for optimal combustion with ethanol fuel.
The TorqueFlite 8HP90 8-speed automatic transmission has also been updated to accommodate a larger and stronger prop shaft.
Unleashing The Demon –
The key to unlocking the vehicle’s maximum horsepower is the ethanol content in its fuel. The powertrain control module has been adjusted to optimize fueling and spark timing for both premium and high ethanol-blended fuel, and the vehicle’s instrument cluster displays the ethanol percentage detected in the fuel, along with a gas pump icon that changes color depending on the ethanol content. When the ethanol content reaches a threshold of 20%, the gas pump icon turns white, and when it exceeds 65%, it turns blue, indicating that the vehicle’s maximum horsepower output of 1,025 can be achieved.
Driveline Durability –
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been equipped with reinforced driveline components, including a rear prop shaft that is 30% stronger than its predecessor. The rear axle housing has also been strengthened by 53% using aerospace-grade metals and incorporating the Direct Connection logo into its structure. This housing features a larger ring and pinion, new input flange, and a redesigned geometry, among other improvements. Additionally, the 43-spline rear half shafts have been upgraded with larger inner-connecting splines, revised heat treatment, and a larger diameter shaft for better acceleration performance.
Staggered Drag Radials & Fender Flares –
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been unveiled as the first-ever factory production car to feature staggered drag radial tires and fender flares. This setup provides greater launch force than the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. To ensure maximum traction under extreme acceleration, Dodge collaborated closely with Mickey Thompson Tires for several months to develop applications exclusively for the Challenger SRT Demon 170.
The vehicle boasts massive 17-inch x 11-inch rear wheels that can accommodate wider, taller, and higher-profile Mickey Thompson P315/50R17 ET Street R drag radials, specially designed for the Challenger SRT Demon 170. These drag radials feature added grooves for improved on-street performance, and their soft R2 compound ensures superior traction. The ET Street R also uses a nylon body for greater power transfer, making it more efficient than standard polyester sidewalls. The increased sidewall height, when combined with the tire construction, creates a “wrinkle effect” that enhances power transfer and reduces tire slip.
On the other hand, smaller 18-inch x 8-inch front wheels keep weight and rolling resistance down, and they 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 provides significantly higher traction than street tires used on similar surfaces.
To cover the Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials in the back, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 features rear Widebody fender flares, while standard configuration front fenders keep the weight down by 17 lbs.
Next-Gen TransBrake 2.0 –
The TransBrake 2.0, a new and improved version of the original TransBrake feature that debuted in the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, has been updated with patent-pending technology that allows drivers to configure and choose from multiple launch-torque profiles to match the engine power delivery to specific track conditions, which is commonly used in competitive drag racing. The TransBrake 2.0 can be easily accessed through a new button near the center console, which takes the driver straight to the TransBrake Performance Page on the main display screen.
With the TransBrake, drivers can customize launch and shift torque settings with a memory function that is adaptable to different grip surfaces, such as high, medium, or low grip, in order to select the optimal engine torque and vehicle launch settings for the surface on which the vehicle is running. The TransBrake can increase engine throttle up to 2,350 rpm and generate greater powertrain energy with maximum torque converter multiplication, resulting in an up to 110% increase in engine stall torque compared to brake torque, and producing up to 15% more torque at the rear tires during launch.
The TransBrake works in conjunction with another purpose-built feature of the vehicle, Torque Reserve, which is automatically enabled when using Launch Control and TransBrake, or when using foot torque braking. Torque Reserve opens the throttle and prepositions the supercharger bypass valve, delivering excess air and controlling torque supply by changing spark events and timing. Torque Reserve maintains supercharger airflow, provides faster engine torque response and improved vehicle acceleration, and creates a unique exhaust note.
Other returning features of the vehicle include Line Lock, which enables stationary or rolling burnouts with the touch of a button, and Launch Control, which allows the driver to achieve maximum acceleration in a straight line by managing tire slip during launch. Launch Assist reduces wheel-hop by maintaining optimal tire contact with the ground during vehicle launch.
More Power, Less Weight –
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 comes equipped with standard forged aluminum wheels, measuring 17-inches x 11-inches at the rear and 18-inches x 8-inches at the front. However, for those looking to shed some extra weight, Lacks Enterprises offers a carbon-fiber wheel option.
The carbon-fiber wheels consist of a forged aluminum center with SRT logo center caps and titanium alloy hardware. The larger weave pattern of the carbon fiber allows for its visibility from a greater distance. Opting for these lightweight wheels reduces the unsprung vehicle mass, which in turn reduces vibrations and enhances handling, acceleration, and braking. The 17-by-11-inch rear carbon-fiber wheels reduce the Demon’s weight by 11.98 lbs. compared to the standard Redeye Widebody configuration, while the 18-inch x 8-inch front wheels shave off 20.12 lbs.
In addition to the lightweight wheels, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 also achieves an overall weight reduction of 157 lbs. compared to the Challenger HELLCAT Redeye Widebody. This weight loss is achieved through other modifications such as lightweight front brakes, hollow sway bars, passenger and rear seat delete, trunk trim and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) pad delete, lightweight interior carpet, and a minimal audio system. Removing the front flares alone reduces the weight by 16 lbs.
It’s Time To Chill –
Effective cooling is crucial for the high-performance Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, which boasts 1,025 horsepower, particularly when it comes to achieving success on the drag strip.
The SRT Power Chiller, an innovative production car feature first introduced with the original Demon, is making a comeback to aid in cooling the SRT Demon 170. Compared to vehicles lacking this technology, the SRT Power Chiller can significantly reduce air induction temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit by diverting the air conditioning system to cool the supercharger intercooler, which in turn improves air intake temperature.
Furthermore, the Demon 170 comes equipped with a standard Race Cool Down feature that provides additional cooling once the engine has been turned off after a strip run. Additionally, the Demon retains two other key features: the Air-Grabber hood and Air Catcher headlamps. These elements maximize air intake flow, with functional, illuminated headlights working in tandem with the air-induction hood.
Weight Matters –
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 boasts exceptional performance and precise control thanks to its specially tuned adaptive-damping Bilstein shocks. These shocks are designed to improve launch response and can be customized by the user for drag racing. The shocks also offer a raised rear ride height of 10mm and reduced rear jounce travel by 17mm to accommodate the massive Mickey Thompson drag radials.
Additionally, the rear suspension camber has been revised to increase the contact patch under load compared to the HELLCAT Redeye Widebody. The Challenger SRT Demon 170 also benefits from softer springs (35% front, 28% rear) and sway bars (75% front, 44% rear) to aid in weight transfer. In Drag Mode, the front Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and soft rebound damping, while the rear shocks are set for firm compression and firm rebound damping, maximizing the vehicle’s drag racing performance.
Drive Modes/Performance Pages –
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 offers three drive modes: Drag Mode, Custom Mode, and Auto (Street) Mode, allowing drivers to adjust a variety of vehicle performance parameters including suspension, steering, transmission, traction, and shift paddles.
Selecting Drag Mode grants drivers control over several features such as power, transmission, paddles, traction, suspension, and steering, optimized for drag racing applications. SRT Performance Pages provide real-time performance stats, including timer pages with data on reaction times and 0-60 times, gauge information, G-force numbers, engine performance information, and dynamometer horsepower and torque stats.
Additionally, Race Options offer drag-specific vehicle functions such as shift lights, SRT Power Chiller, Line Lock, Launch Control with Launch Assist, and Race Cooldown.
The Demon’s Demeanor –
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be offered in all 14 exterior color choices for the Challenger, including the historic B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple, and Sublime green, along with the popular modern shade Destroyer Grey. Each color option can be paired with a Satin Black painted hood, roof, and decklid or a Satin Black painted hood as an optional feature.
The SRT Demon 170 emblem has a new design, featuring a “170” neck tattoo and a yellow demon’s eye to represent E85 on the front side fenders. The grille displays an SRT badge, and a Demon-themed supercharger badge is featured under the hood. Additionally, all 2023 Challenger models include a commemorative “Last Call” plaque.
The interior of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 features a yellow and red Demon instrument panel badge that highlights the four-digit VIN. The vehicle includes a Challenger SRT Demon 170-specific cluster screen with a red gauge design and a red Demon 170 main cluster graphic. The Alcantara performance steering wheel has an LED “SRT” logo, and real carbon-fiber bezels add to the performance-oriented interior.
The lightweight houndstooth cloth interior has the Demon 170 logo on the driver seat, and it reduces content to enhance performance. The cloth interior includes a standard passenger seat delete, rear seat delete, trunk carpet delete, sound insulation delete, trunk light, dress delete, along with a minimal two-speaker audio system.
The premium leather interior option has more content and customer-convenience features, including black Alcantara/Laguna leather seats with 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 Demonic Red Laguna leather seats provide another colorful alternative, and rear seat deletion is available for all interior options.
Owning The Demon 170 –
Dodge is not content with just creating the fastest production car with a 0-60 mph acceleration. They are elevating the ownership experience by providing personalized and limited-edition features to each owner of the Challenger SRT Demon 170. This includes a customized decanter set with the owner’s name and vehicle identification number (VIN) engraved on it, as well as unique coasters, whiskey cubes, and glasses. The car will also come with a selection of premium car care products from Jay Leno’s Garage. Direct Connection, the Dodge performance parts brand, offers additional personalization options, such as street wheels and tires, a harness bar, and a parachute mounting system. The purchase of the Challenger SRT Demon 170 also includes a one-day SRT Experience class at Radford Racing School.
The Demon 170 is a truly remarkable vehicle that is sure to delight car enthusiasts everywhere. Its impressive horsepower, speed, and design make it a standout in its class. However, we understand that the high markup from dealers can be a major obstacle for many potential buyers. We hope that Dodge will take steps to ensure that enthusiasts can get their hands on this amazing machine without having to pay exorbitant prices.
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