Wow, Dodge certainly saved the best for last. Meet the seventh and final "Last Call" special editions that mark the end of the current HEMI-powered Dodge Challenger and Charger models ahead of electrification. Dodge recently revealed the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 at an event befitting Las Vegas, dubbing it the quickest, fastest and most powerful muscle car in the world and you'd better believe it has a price tag to match. We're talking a starting MSRP of roughly $100,000 when you add in destination charges and a gas guzzler fees.
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge says the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the quickest vehicle ever produced in the brand’s 100-plus-year history. It's HEMI-induced power specs are impressive: 1,025-horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque. Dodge also says it will make 900 horsepower and 810 lb.-ft of torque using E10 fuel.
Photo Credit: Dodge.
So how fast is it? Fast. As in Dodge says it will clock zero to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds plus feature the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 gs. It's also the first factory production car to run the quarter-mile under nine seconds with a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified 8.91-second ET at 151.17 mph. On the drag strip, the Challenger SRT Demon 170 receives an NHRA violation letter for running a sub-nine-second quarter-mile without a safety cage or parachute, following in the footsteps of the original Demon, which was also banned from NHRA quarter miles.
“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 brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “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.”
Photo Credit: Dodge.
Unlike the original SRT Demon, you'll just get a red key fob with the Demon 170. (The black key fob limits horsepower and the red fob unlocks full output.) Dodge says the new Demon unleashes horsepower levels determined not by a key, but by sensing the percentage of ethanol fuel content.
Engine Updates
Dodge says the Demon 170 has a nearly brand-new engine thanks to extensive upgrades, plus some added features that help harness those 1,025 horses. Here's how they did it:
- Improved Supercharger: Modified 3.0-liter supercharger upgraded with a larger snout with 105mm throttle body, and 3.02-inch 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 240mm 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
- Staggered Widebody Design: First-ever factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares
Photo Credit: Dodge.
The Demon 170s engine is the first-ever 1,025-horsepower 6.2-liter HEMI engine straight from the factory. The fire-breathing heart of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 shares DNA with the Direct Connection Hellephant C170 crate engine. 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 21.3psi compared to 15.3psi for the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, with 30% more airflow
- Supercharger Pulley: The 3.02-inch 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 gallons per hour, more than the average U.S. shower head; fast response ethanol sensor is integrated into the fuel injector rail
- 105mm 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 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 2,500psi 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
- Spark Plugs: New spark plugs with lower heat range for optimal combustion with ethanol fuel
The engine is mated to a TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission, with an updated output flange to accommodate a larger diameter and stronger prop shaft.
Unlocking the Demon With Ethanol
The key to unlocking the Dodge 170's maximum horsepower is ethanol. Dodge says a recalibrated powertrain control module (PCM) optimizes fueling and spark timing for both premium and high ethanol-blended fuel.
The 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.
Photo: Dodge.
The horsepower rating adjusts and displays automatically based on the fuel's ethanol percentage.
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, so the driver knows that the Demon’s ready to unleash its maximum 1,025 horsepower.
Driveline durability
Dodge says reinforced driveline components of the Demon 170 include a rear prop shaft that's 30% stronger within the same packaging space. Aerospace-grade metals were put to work in the reinforced, 53% stronger rear axle housing, which features a new Direct Connection logo integrated into the structure of the housing. New driveline components include:
- Rear Prop Shaft: 30% stronger over the 2018 SRT Demon driveshaft and also boasts increased tube diameter, tube wall thickness and larger CV joints
- 240mm Rear Axle: Includes HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) processed housings, the first time used in driveline components to eliminate porosity of castings, larger 240mm ring and pinion, new input flange to accommodate larger CV joint, new geometry housing with Direct Connection logo, larger rear cover-mount fasteners, increased case depth and more result in 53% stronger housing
- 43-spline Rear Half Shafts: Inboard and outboard CV joints designed with larger inner-connecting spline and revised heat treatment; interconnecting shaft is upgraded to a larger diameter shaft with larger joint splines and optimized stiffness for acceleration performance
Staggered drag radials and fender flares: first for a factory production car
Dodge says theChallenger SRT Demon 170 is the first-ever factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares, a set up designed to create more launch force compared to the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.
Mickey Thompson Tires
The automaker says it worked closely over many months with Mickey Thompson Tires to develop applications exclusively for the Challenger SRT Demon 170, which were crucial to the vehicle achieving maximum traction under extreme acceleration.
Massive 17-by-11-inch 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. Mickey Thompson’s soft R2 compound provides superior traction and the ET Street R uses a nylon body for greater power transfer compared to standard polyester sidewalls. Increased sidewall height when combined with the tire construction allows for a “wrinkle effect,” improving power transfer and reducing tire slip.
Smaller 18-by-8-inch 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 pounds.
Next-generation TransBrake 2.0
The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 is equipped with TransBrake 2.0, a second-generation version of the first-ever feature that debuted on the original 2018 Challenger SRT Demon. Patent-pending updates 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.
Like the original Demon, TransBrake works in conjunction with Torque Reserve, automatically enabled when using Launch Control and TransBrake and also works when using foot torque braking. Torque Reserve opens the throttle and prepositions the supercharger bypass valve, delivering excess air, and controls 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.
Additional returning features include:
- Line Lock: Enables stationary or rolling smoky burnouts at the touch of a button, warms up the rear tires for racing by locking the front brakes independently of the rear brakes and is enabled via the drag options and steering wheel “OK” button
- Launch Control: Designed to allow the driver to achieve maximum vehicle acceleration in a straight line, managing tire slip while launching the vehicle
- Launch Assist: Reduces wheel-hop by maintaining optimal tire contact with the ground during vehicle launch
Wheels and Weight
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 rides on standard 17-by-11-inch rear and 18-by-8-inch front forged aluminum wheels, with a lightweight carbon-fiber wheel option.
To shed weight you can opt for Lacks Enterprises carbon-fiber wheels. The lightweight 17-by-11-inch rear wheels shave 11.98 pounds off the rear compared to the standard Redye Widebody configuration. Front 18-by-8-inch wheels save a total of 20.12 pounds off the front.
The two-piece carbon-fiber wheels have SRT logo center caps in their forged aluminum centers and are fastened together with titanium alloy hardware.
The Lacks carbon-fiber wheels lower unsprung vehicle mass, reducing vibrations which helps maintain a more consistent tire load for improved handing, acceleration and braking.
The lightweight wheels are part of an overall weight reduction of 157 pounds for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 in comparison to a Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody.
Additional areas of weight savings include lightweight front brakes, hollow sway bars, passenger and rear seat delete, trunk trim and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) pad delete and lightweight interior carpet with a minimal audio system. If you removal the front flares you drop an additional 16 pounds.
Cooling
As you'd imagine, cooling is critical to a 1,025-horsepower performance machine, especially when it comes to success on the drag strip. Dodge keeps the engine cooled with an innovative SRT Power Chiller, a purpose-built production car first introduced for the original Demon.
Dodge says compared to vehicles without a chiller, the feature can reduce air induction temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, 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.
Photo Credit: Dodge.
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.
Weight, Performance and Control
Dodge says it's a balancing act to harness horsepower while shifting weight to specific vehicle areas to achieve maximum performance and precision control. Uniquely tuned valves in adaptive-damping Bilstein shocks provide the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 with improved launch response and user customizable drag race settings.
Adaptive-damping Bilstein shocks are tuned for maximum acceleration and offer a raised rear ride height of 10mm and restricted rear jounce travel by 17mm to package the massive Mickey Thompson drag radials. A revised rear suspension camber increases contact patch under load compared to the Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Weight transfer is further aided by softer springs (35% front, 28% rear) and softer sway bars (75% front, 44% rear).
An updated the Drag Mode option for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 dials in performance — front Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and soft rebound damping while in Drag Mode, while the rear Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and firm rebound damping.
Drive Mode + Performance Pages
The Demon 170 is equipped with Drag Mode along with Custom and Auto (Street) Mode options. They allow drivers to change or customize performance parameters, including the transmission, shift paddles, traction control, suspension and steering.
Choosing Drag Mode lets drivers control a range of features:
- Power: Full power is enabled based on ethanol content in fuel
- Transmission: Fastest possible shift speeds engaged with the highest comfort trade off
- Paddles: Steering wheel paddle shifters are engaged
- Traction: Dialed in for drag race applications
- Suspension: Promotes optimized weight transfer for best launch traction
- Steering: Greatest amount of steering feel and steering effort is delivered
Performance Pages display vehicle and 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.
Race Options deliver information on key drag-specific vehicle functions, such as shift lights, SRT Power Chiller, Line Lock, Launch Control with Launch Assist and Race Cooldown.
Exterior
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available in all 14 exterior color options for the Challenger, including returning heritage exterior colors B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple and Sublime green, plus popular modern color Destroyer Grey.
Photo Credit: Dodge.
You can opt for an optional unique Satin Black painted hood or a Satin Black painted hood, roof and decklid
The Challenger SRT Demon 170 denotes its status with revised Demon badges on the front side fenders. They reimagine the original Demon badge with a “170” neck tattoo and a new E85-representative yellow demon’s eye. An SRT badge adorns the grille.
Photo Credit: Dodge.
Under the hood, a Demon-themed supercharger badge announces the vehicle’s spirit and, as with all 2023 Challenger models, it boasts a special commemorative “Last Call” plaque.
Interior
Inside, you'll find a lot of elements unique to the Challenger SRT Demon 170. They include a yellow and red Demon instrument panel badge that calls out the four-digit VIN. 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 help give the cabin a performance vibe.
The Demon 170 interior is outfitted with a lightweight houndstooth cloth interior with the Demon 170 logo on the driver seat. Dodge says 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.
There's a premium leather interior option if you prefer it over cloth. It includes black Alcantara/Laguna leather heated and ventilated seats with the Demon 170 logo, along with a heated steering wheel, 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and more.
For a third option, you can go for Demonic Red Laguna leather seats. All interior options have rear seat delete available.
What Else Owners Should Know
If you buy one of these, you'll get more than the car. You'll get some customized, limited-edition and serialized items to go with it. Like a commemorative Demon decanter set, serialized to the specific owner and vehicle. It includes:
- A custom Demon-styled decanter with the owner’s name and VIN engraved on the back
- Demon-badged coasters and whiskey cubes
- Rocks glasses
- Demon 170 supercharger badge cover
- Owner name, build number and VIN plate
- Unique Demon 170 illustration on the inside top of the set cover
Owners will also receive upon delivery a selection of premium car care products from Jay Leno’s Garage.
Customization
There are ways to customize as well. Every Demon 170 will also some with a custom instrument panel badge ordered by the customer after delivery. Additional personalization options for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available through Direct Connection, the Dodge performance parts brand. Direct Connection parts for the Demon 170 will include:
- Challenger SRT Demon 170 street wheel and tire package, providing the highest level of street driving characteristics versus the vehicle’s standard drag radials
- Harness bar with coordinating lightweight carbon-fiber rear seat delete inserts featuring the Dodge Rhombi logo
- Direct Connection Parachute Mounting System
Waiver and Racing School
Similar to the original Demon, owners must sign a waiver acknowledging the unique characteristics of the Demon 170 as a purpose-built, street legal production drag car. They'll also get to take part in a one-day SRT Experience class at Radford Racing School, the official high-performance driving school of Dodge//SRT.
Optional Products
A unique Goodwool breathable mesh car shell will be available for purchase and protects the exterior of the Challenger SRT Demon 170 while mimicking the vehicle’s appearance, down to the 3D SRT and Demon 170 logos on the shell. Finishing Touch Auto Spa will serve as the exclusive distributor of the Goodwool Car Shell for the Demon 170.
Availability
Dodge says production will begin this summer and will be limited to at most 3,300 units, with 3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada. Final unit numbers will be based on production capacity.
Current owners of the original 2018 Challenger SRT Demon who secure a dealer allocation for the new 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will also be given the unique opportunity to match the same vehicle identification number as their original Demon when finalizing their order.
