Dodge Challenger SRT Demon resurrected for closing 12 months of muscle vehicles

DETROIT — Dodge is resurrecting its controversial muscle automobile mannequin, the Challenger SRT Demon, as a closing particular version of the car earlier than manufacturing of the model’s current V8 engine cars ends later this 12 months.

The limited-edition drag racing automobile would be the quickest, strongest model of the Dodge Challenger ever produced by the automaker. It builds upon a 2018 Challenger SRT Demon mannequin that some criticized for being too highly effective and barely avenue authorized.

Dodge says the brand new automobile will ship 1,025 horsepower and 945 foot-pounds of torque on E85 ethanol mix gasoline. It may well obtain 60 mph from a rolling begin in 1.66 seconds. The car’s efficiency falls barely when utilizing gasoline with decrease quantities of ethanol, however even on frequent E10 gasoline it boasts 900 horsepower and 810 foot-pounds of torque.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 will begin at the diabolically evocative worth of $96,666 — the final three figures are a reference to the satan — however it could actually prime $120,000 or extra with charges, choices and equipment, in keeping with Dodge. Ordering for the car opens on March 27.

Dodge, owned by Stellantis, solely plans to construct as many as 3,000 of the automobiles for the U.S. and 300 for Canada, pending the supply of elements and provide chain issues. That will be just like manufacturing of the 2018 mannequin.

Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis declined to reveal the capital funding for the car, which was revealed Monday, or its anticipated revenue margins.

“These vehicles are ending on a excessive,” Kuniskis mentioned. He referred to the Demon 170 as “the brand new pinnacle of manufacturing facility loopy.”

When requested concerning the car’s gasoline economic system, he mentioned “it is horrible,” however later known as the automobile “eco-friendly” as a result of gasoline with excessive ethanol ranges runs cleaner than conventional gasoline whereas additionally burning extra shortly. The automobile will probably be topic to a $2,100 obligatory gas-guzzler tax.   

The “170” moniker is in reference to a excessive proof of alcohol, because the automobile can run on ethanol gasoline. Every proprietor may even obtain a particular glass decanter with their car buy.

The brand new automobile will probably be able to popping wheelies, the place the car’s entrance tires raise off the bottom because of the quantity of energy coming from the rear wheels.

Dodge was anticipated to disclose the automobile earlier this 12 months, however engineers have been “blowing up” engines trying to get as a lot efficiency as attainable out of the automobile, Kuniskis mentioned. The issues led engineers to develop a brand new supercharged engine for the car.

The 2023 Demon SRT is the seventh special-edition muscle automobile for Dodge because it celebrates the upcoming end of production of the present Challenger and Charger muscle vehicles. Dodge has bought greater than 2 million of these automobiles since their introductions greater than a decade in the past.

“It’s a must to have a good time this finish,” Kuniskis informed CNBC, including the Challenger serves as a “halo” mannequin for the model, attracting the eye of shoppers who go on to purchase different automobiles. “We do loopy higher than anyone.”