A New Number of the Beast: 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Makes 1,025 HP, Sub-9-Second Quarter-Mile

Remember all of those outlandish claims Dodge made when it unveiled the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon? Well, get ready to hear more of them. The brand has unveiled the last of its seven “Last Call” special edition vehicles in Las Vegas, and what they saved for the finale takes the ridiculousness of the original Demon even further: The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 is what Dodge claims is the quickest vehicle it’s ever produced, with up to 1,025 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time under 2 seconds and a sub-9-second quarter-mile time.

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Hellacious Performance

Dodge upgraded almost everything performance-wise for the Demon 170, which comes only with red key fobs (the first Demon came with both black and red fobs). Dodge claims the only significant part left untouched in the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 is the camshaft. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine produces 1,025 hp and 945 pounds-feet of torque on E85 ethanol fuel and 900 hp and 810 pounds-feet with E10. The brand says the Demon 170 has a 0-60 mph time of 1.66 seconds (besting the original Demon’s 2.3 seconds) and can hustle down the quarter-mile in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph (down from 9.65 seconds at 140 mph), and that it has the highest G-force acceleration of any production vehicle with 2.004 G’s (up from 1.8).

The V-8 has upgraded the intake valves, valve guides and seat materials. The aluminum cylinder head has high-strength steel studs with steel inserts and revised main cap fasteners to increase clamping load, and with E85, the engine has 2,500 pounds per square inch of cylinder pressure — 32% more than the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. The engine also features a copper-lead material for the main rod and bearings to improve load capability; stronger connecting rods and upgraded pin-bushing supports for better combustion pressure; spark plugs with a lower heat range; and viscous crank damper assists that reduce torsional vibration.

Dodge also modified the injectors and fuel rail, which has an integrated ethanol sensor, as well as the powertrain control module to enhance fueling and spark timing for ethanol and premium gas. The instrument panel displays the fuel’s ethanol percentage and shows a gas-pump icon when a certain amount of ethanol is detected; the icon turns white if 20% of ethanol is detected and blue when there is more than 65% of ethanol to notify the driver the full horsepower is available.

Additionally, the 3.0-liter supercharger has 33% more airflow volume than either the Demon or the Redeye Widebody and 14% more overdrive than the Redeye Widebody thanks to its 105-millimeter throttle body, larger snout and 3.02-inch pulley. Boost pressure is also increased from 15.3 psi to 21.3 psi. The original Demon’s SRT Power Chiller returns to help lower air induction temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit via the air-conditioning system; after drag-strip runs, a Race Cool Down feature helps cool the engine after shut down.

An Updated Driveline and Suspension, Too

Dodge didn’t forget about upgrading the Demon 170’s driveline and suspension. The rear axle case has a 53% stronger rear differential housing, a larger ring and pinion, a new input flange to accommodate the larger constant-velocity joints and larger rear cover-mount fasteners. Compared to the original Demon, the rear prop shaft is also 30% stronger and has a larger tube diameter and tube wall thickness. Dodge also revised the heat treatment for the half-shafts, which are stronger and have larger inner-connecting splines.

The 2023 Demon 170 comes standard with forged-aluminum wheels wearing Mickey Thompson drag radial tires. Up front are 18-inch-by-8-inch wheels that offer lower rolling resistance and better weight transfer to the rear, and out back are 17-inch-by-11-inch wheels. Optional two-piece carbon-fiber wheels are available and shave about 20 pounds off the front and nearly 12 pounds off the rear compared to the Redeye Widebody. Meanwhile, Bilstein adaptive shocks raise the rear ride height by 10 mm and reduce rear jounce travel by 17 mm, and the rear suspension’s camber has been tuned to offer a larger contact patch under load. Softer springs and sway bars help with weight transfer. When Drag Mode is enabled, the front shocks are optimized for firm compression and soft rebound damping while the rear shocks are set for firm compression and rebound damping.

Though it still weighs nearly 4,300 pounds, Dodge worked to cut the Demon 170’s weight and says it is 157 pounds less than the Redeye Widebody. Along with the optional carbon-fiber wheels, the Demon 170 has lightweight front brakes, hollow sway bars, lightweight interior carpet, no front fender flares and a minimal audio system; the trunk trim and noise, vibration and harshness pad were deleted, and all but the driver’s seat can be removed.

Drag-Strip Tech

Built for the drag strip, the Demon 170 comes with several features to help drivers get the most out of the car while drag racing. One of them is the TransBrake, a performance aid that locks the transmission output shaft until launch for maximum power and torque. Accessible using a new button on the center console, the second-generation TransBrake allows drivers to customize and select launch-torque profiles to match engine power to track conditions. The feature frees the driver from holding the brake with one foot while increasing engine revs with the other to build power before releasing the brake for takeoff.

Other features include Torque Reserve, which maintains airflow and offers faster engine torque response and improved acceleration by opening the throttle and prepositioning the supercharger’s bypass valve; it works with foot torque braking and is automatically enabled with Launch Control and the TransBrake. The Demon 170 also comes with a line-lock feature that locks the front brakes to aid with burnouts, as well as Launch Assist, which helps reduce wheel hop. Additionally, the SRT Performance Pages feature allows drivers to view reaction and 0-60 mph times, G-force numbers, engine performance, and dynamometer horsepower and torque stats.

Demon-Themed Styling

The Demon 170 features Demon-themed badges underneath the hood and on the front fenders, as well as an SRT badge on the grille. Dodge redesigned the Demon badge for the new variant; the design features a “170” tattoo on its neck, and it has yellow eyes to symbolize E85 fuel. Dodge is also bringing back the Air-Grabber hood and Air Catcher headlights; both components help increase airflow, and the hood’s bezel features a laser-etched “Alcohol Injected” logo. Buyers can choose from 14 exterior color options, and all colors can be paired with a satin-black hood or satin-black hood, roof and trunk lid. And like the other Last Call Challengers and Chargers, the Demon 170 comes with a “Last Call” plaque.

Three interiors are offered. The base cloth interior comes with only the driver’s seat and a two-speaker audio system; for maximized weight savings, it also has no trunk carpet, sound insulation, trunk light, trunk trim or bright pedals. A premium leather option features heated and ventilated black simulated-suede and leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and an 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with an amplifier and trunk-mounted subwoofer. Red leather seats are also available, and the rear seat can be deleted with all of the interior options. A yellow-and-red instrument panel badge features the vehicle’s four-digit serial number, and a unique instrument panel screen features a red Demon 170 graphic and red gauges. Additionally, carbon-fiber bezels and a simulated-suede steering wheel with an LED SRT logo add to the performance feel.

Dodge is also giving Demon 170 buyers several commemorative items, including a personalized decanter set with the vehicle’s vehicle identification number engraved on the back, rocks glasses, Demon-badged coasters and whiskey cubes. Buyers can also purchase a street wheel and tire package, a customized car cover, a parachute mounting system and a harness bar with carbon-fiber rear-seat delete inserts.

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Pricing and Availability

The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 will start at $100,361 (includes $1,595 destination charge and $2,100 gas guzzler tax). Owners of the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon will also be able to match the Demon 170’s VIN to their original Demon’s. Just as with the 2018 Demon, buyers must sign a waiver acknowledging the Demon 170 is a street-legal, purpose-built production drag car; and just as with the first Demon, they’ll be able to participate in a one-day SRT Experience class at Radford Racing School in Arizona.

Production will begin this summer; only 3,000 units will be allocated for the U.S., though Dodge also noted the final total will be based on production capacity. The Demon 170 will be available to order March 27 through May 15, and buyers can view dealership allocations using the Dodge Horsepower Locator tool.

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