2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon deserves its own chapter in the history of the muscle car. It's the fastest quarter-mile production car ever -- but that's not all.

Want one? You're out of luck: the Demon is sold out.

Call an exorcist 

The Demon receives an evolution of the Challenger Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine. And by "evolution," we mean it makes 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque when it's burning 100-octane (or higher) race gas. Those numbers make the Demon's engine the most powerful V8 ever produced for street use.

The Demon hits 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.3 seconds, and it blasts through the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds at 140 mph. It's too fast for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Enthusiasts who want to participate in NHRA-sanctioned events need to obtain a competition license and invest in equipment such as a helmet, a fire suit, and a roll cage.

Note the V8's output is limited to 808 horsepower and 717 pound-feet of torque when it's slurping premium unleaded. That's still 100 horses more than the Hellcat.

An eight-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles spins the rear wheels. All driveline components have been strengthened to handle the extra torque, and the Demon's drivetrain is covered by a five-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Built for the Track

It's not merely about looks or raw power; the Demon takes features typically found on the drag strip and brings them to the world of street-legal production cars, often for the very first time.

Notably, the air conditioning system cools down the intake air, and enthusiasts can program the cooling fan to run even after the car is turned off to bring the temperature down in the engine bay. There's also a transbrake - a first in a production car - that makes ultra-quick launches possible. You'll find a drag mode, too.

Spotter's Guide

The Demon stands out from the standard Challenger with fender flares required to accommodate extra-wide Nitto tires, five-spoke alloy wheels, and the world's largest functional hood scoop. Model-specific emblems round out the list of aesthetic modifications.

Dodge made the Demon 200 pounds lighter than the Hellcat the old-fashioned way: by taking stuff out. Engineers removed the passenger seat, the rear bench, the 16-speaker sound system, the parking sensors, and most of the sound-deadening material.

Optional Equipment

Enthusiasts can pay extra for a personalized Demon Crate. It bundles the hardware required to burn race gas, a performance air filter, narrow front-runner drag wheels, a passenger mirror block-off plate, and Demon-branded tools, among other components.

The list of extra-cost options includes leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 19-speaker sound system, and a sunroof. Buyers can also add the missing seats for $1 each. In short, the Demon is only as hardcore as buyers want it to be.

Key Competitors

As a street-legal drag racer, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has no true rivals. You could buy a dragster, a trailer, and a truck to pull it with but you'd spend more money.

There are plenty of performance cars out there but none put such an unabashed emphasis on drag racing than the Demon. And, even cars priced well into the triple-digits can't match the Demon in straight-line acceleration.