The SRT Challenger Demon: Two Questions

So today, I really had a good chance to watch the SRT Challenger Demon reveal and I must say that this vehicle is impressive. The stat book on the Demon is insane. 2.3 0-60 time, 9.65 quarter-mile time, 840 supercharged horses, 315/40 R18 Nitto Tires, and many other innovative components, such as the Demon being the first production car with a Trans Brake. The 2.7L supercharger produces 14.8lbs of boost and 8lbs from the start via the Torque Reserve system. The Demon is billed as the first Production, Street Legal Drag Car. This thing is so impressively fast, that the NHRA not only certified the times, but banned it from use because of its quickness. 


Although, the Demon went on a diet when compared to the Hellcat, you still can order the front passenger and rear seats for $1 each and a audio system for an additional dollar. You also get to control the Demon with various drive modes (street, drag and custom). All of this, leaves me with two questions. First, what can match, let alone beat, the SRT Challenger Demon? Secondly, what can Dodge do next with the Challenger nameplate?

First of all, what can match the SRT Challenger Demon? Now, you might say the COPO Camaro, Mustang Cobra Jet, or the Hennessey Exorcist Camaro. Those selections would be correct and incorrect at the same time. The Cobra Jet and the COPO Camaro are drag cars, but they are not street legal. The Hennessey Exorcist may be rumored to have 1000HP, but is not a production vehicle. The SRT Challenger Demon is, again, a production street legal drag Car. It launches like all hell has broke loose. So none of those cars match it pound for pound. You might say Tesla Model S P100D (Ludicrous+), which ran a 2.28 0-60 time. Yes, the .02 seconds does matter, but the Model S P100D would still need another second in the quarter mile. 


So now when you’re talking about numbers, the SRT Challenger Demon’s spec sheet is comparable to some super and hypercars. We’re talking about Lamborghinis and Ferraris, which are priced at $300-$600,000. The SRT Challenger Demon will probably retail at $120, if not less than that. So in terms of matching the Demon, pound for pound, there aren’t too many cars that can. However, with the major cool factor the Demon has, the second question still needs an answer.

What more can Dodge do with the Challenger nameplate? First of all, you have the Challenger GT, which while it’s not true American muscle, it is still something that Ford and Chevy haven’t done with their muscle cars (Mustang and Camaro respectively). Then you have the R/T, The Scat Pack, the T/A (Time Attack), and SRT8, which is still before you start speaking about the Hellcat. 


And just when we thought the Hellcat was the most they would be able to pull out of the Challenger, Dodge hits us with the Demon, which trumps the Hellcat.


The only thing that Dodge could have left for the Challenger nameplate, is producing something with at least 1000HP. If they can integrate the technology that they used with the Demon, this idea can still work with RWD. However, a more logical choice for the drivetrain, would be AWD. While AWD would be able to handle the power better, it would still take away from the muscle car heritage. So now I’m still left with the same question of, what else can be done with the Challenger that they already haven’t done? For the record, I’m not saying we want/need a four-cylinder Challenger.

The one thing that Dodge has done is stay true to their heritage. What I mean by that, is they haven’t gone the way of most brands and not take a risk on high performance models or removing the driver from the equation. The Challenger Demon, like the other V-8 powered Challengers, are built for people with various needs. The Demon specifically is built, for those who want to hit a button and have all out drag car, and then hit another button and drive home. That’s what makes the Challenger Demon so special.


Case and point, the SRT Challenger Demon is a beast that would be hard to run with, let alone beat. They put enough innovation, technology and a few cool teaser videos to make this car more than impressive. The downside to that innovation  and with that impression is, what more is left for the Challenger nameplate? It will be interesting to see what the Challenger Demon’s direct competition, meaning the Mustang and the Camaro, will do with their cars to match the Demon. It also will be cool to see how Dodge can take the Challenger even higher level, once the Demon’s buzz has gone away.

I am asking a question to close this post. What cars do you, my readers, thank can match or beat the SRT Challenger Demon. I am not talking about TwinTurbo Toyota Supras or Lamborghinis from Underground Racing. I am talking about cars straight from the factory that can walk the Demon. Leave your answers in the comments section below and we can discuss the chosen vehicles.

2 thoughts on “The SRT Challenger Demon: Two Questions

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  1. We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome blog!

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