Yahoo Autos Dodge bids farewell to Hemi muscle cars with $96K Challenger SRT Demon 170
What is it? The last chapter in Dodge’s Hemi-powered muscle car era.
Why should you consider it? As of Dec. 31, they literally won’t make ‘em like this anymore.
Is this the end of fast, fun Dodges? Don’t be silly. The brand has already shown a Challenger-inspired electric muscle car.
How much will it cost? $96,666, plus destination charge.
How many will Dodge build? 3,000 for sale in the U.S.; 300 for Canada.
When can you buy it? This summer.
Note to self: Have Dodge plan my retirement party.
The self-proclaimed “American performance” brand will bid adieu to its legendary Hemi V-8-powered muscle cars with the 1,025-hp, $96,666 Dodge Challenger that does 0-60 mph in 1.66 seconds. The plant that builds them in Brampton, Ontario, shuts down Dec. 31 to convert to production of new, as-yet-undisclosed vehicles.
Called the Challenger SRT Demon 170, the car will be a street-legal exclamation point on the parade of modern muscle cars Dodge inaugurated in 2014 with the supercharged 707-hp 2015 SRT Charger sedan. Since then, a mad skunkworks team of engineers within the Chrysler group have cranked out ever more powerful models that remade Dodge’s image as a rebel with a cause: speed at any cost.
“Hellcats and Demons are the benchmarks of (factory-built) crazy,” Dodge boss Tim Kuniskis crowed as he revealed the alcohol-powered Demon 170 at brand HQ in Auburn Hills. “This is the new pinnacle of factory crazy.”
The Demon 170’s supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 is virtually all new to survive the power it generates, Kuniskis said: Only its camshafts and valve springs are unchanged from Dodge’s previous peak moment of lunacy, the 840-hp 2018 Challenger Demon.
Key new drivetrain components of the Challenger ST Demon 170
3.0L supercharger
Fast-flowing throttle body to provide fuel
Pistons
Connecting rods
Crankshaft
Cylinder head to endure 2,500 psi, 25% more than a Demon’s 840-hp V8
Driveshaft 30% stronger than Demon
Differential 50% stronger
0-60 mph in what?
The Demon 170 is street legal, but engineered for drag racing. Its Hemi produces up to 1,025 hp and 945 pound-feet of torque, propelling the big coupe to 60 mph in an almost inconceivable 1.66 seconds. That power and performance requires E85 fuel, 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol.
For perspective, the Tesla S Plaid, the current poster child for electric vehicle acceleration, lollygags its way to 60 in 1.98 seconds, according to Motor Trend magazine tests. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 exotic sports car does it in 2.6 seconds, per MT, while GM says the electrically assisted Corvette E-Ray will get there in 2.5.
