The end is nigh for the Dodge Challenger! Production of Mopar’s muscle cars ends this year, but not before seven special “last call” variants roll out. Until this week, we knew the names and attributes of the first six, while the seventh and final edition remained unknown. But Dodge no longer has us wondering as the Stellantis performance brand unveiled the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Demon 170, a 1,025-horsepower beast that places a fitting capstone on this legendary model line.
Demon 170 Overview
Informally known as the Demon 170, the latest Challenger uses the familiar 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine powering other Hellcat models. But this engine was extensively overhauled to motivate the Demon with only the camshaft not touched. Notably, the Demon 170 receives a 3.0-liter supercharger, giving it a 40-percent increase in boost pressure and 30 percent more airflow over the Redeye Widebody.
Other changes include a larger throttle body, a special supercharger pulley, improved fuel rail/injectors, and higher cylinder pressure. Other affected parts include the cylinder head/clamping load, valvetrain, main rod/bearings, connecting roads, and spark plugs. This engine works with a TorqueFlite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission. The unit gains an updated output flange to assist a larger diameter and stronger prop shaft.
Keep in mind that the performance numbers touted below are based on the Demon running on E85 fuel only. When fueled with E10 gasoline, this model produces 900 horsepower and 810 pound-feet of torque. Impressive numbers, but noticeably lower than its peak capabilities.
By the Numbers: Demon 170
There are various “numbers” associated with the Demon 170 worth noting. These all point to enhanced power among other special edition notables.
1.66
How about a 0-60 mph time of 1.66 seconds? That’s beyond crazy and nearly impossible to imagine. Essentially, the Demon 170 goes from start to highway speed in two winks of an eye. The G-force acceleration must be high as well and it is – a whopping 2.004 gs or more than any other production car. As for the quarter mile, the Demon 170 achieves this in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 as certified by the National Hot Rod Association.
7
This is the final model year for the Challenger coupe and the Charger sedan. The two models have amplified the Dodge brand like no other models have in recent years, perhaps of all time. With the announcement of the Demon 170, the seventh and final Dodge performance model rolls out. This one was preceded by the Dodge Challenger Shakedown, Charger Super Bee, Challenger Swinger, Charger Swinger, Charger King Daytona, and the Challenger Black Ghost.
157
Despite its enhanced performance, the Demon 170 weighs 157 pounds less than the Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Optional carbon-fiber wheels and the removal of the front flares save weight.
170
How did the Demon 170 get its name? Well, “Demon” represented previous high-performance Hellcat models, so that part of the name simply carries forward. As for the numerical portion, it represents the 170-proof ethanol E85 fuel that enables this model to maximize its performance.
1,025
This may be the most important number associated with the Demon 170. Never has a production vehicle achieved its performance numbers. In 2015, Dodge stunned the auto world by delivering a 707-horsepower Hellcat. But they weren’t done with that as subsequent variants delivered more power, reaching 840 horsepower in 2018 with the Demon. Sure, certain exotic models are delivering more than the 1,025 horsepower this final “Last Call” model offers, but you’ll pay many times the cost of the Demon to acquire one. Besides the horsepower number, the Demon 170 outputs 945 pound-feet of torque.
3,300
Stellantis is capping Demon 170 production at 3,300 units. No more than 3,000 copies are allocated for the U.S. market, with the remaining 300 reserved for Canada. The final total, though, will be based on production capacity. We believe, however, that this Demon will sell out fast and that Stellantis will make good on delivering right up to its maximum capacity.
100,000
Dodge pegged the Demon 170’s price at $96,666, but that does not include destination charges and fees. We think $100,000 will be the base cost and if dealer markups become a factor, customers may pay much more.
Order Your Demon 170
Dodge will open the order books on March 27, 2023, at DodgeGarage.com. The final orders will be taken on May 15, 2023, but we doubt that any will remain when April rolls around. Anyway, Dodge will give priority to dealers who order them at MSRP. Check the website for dealer allocation.
Is the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Demon 170 over the top? You bet! It places the final stamp on the brand’s gas-powered performance models and arrives just ahead of Dodge’s first-ever all-electric car next year.
See Also — About the 2023 Dodge Challenger
Photos courtesy of Stellantis.
