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The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is too rapid for its own benefit. The high-powered E85 muscle car boasting 1,025 ponies can sprint to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in a mere 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph. While these figures are impressive, they pose a challenge at NHRA-approved tracks where a roll cage and a parachute are mandatory.
Unfortunately, the Demon 170 does not include a roll cage or a parachute as standard equipment.
Both a safety cage and a parachute are available as optional add-ons. Nevertheless, due to its sub-nine-second quarter-mile time and the absence of these components as factory defaults, the car will be prohibited in its current state. This ruling followed the NHRA’s recent relaxation of regulations regarding the performance thresholds for 2014 and newer models. Previously, vehicles like the Dodge Demon and the Tesla Model S Plaid were ineligible to compete without modifications at NHRA drag strips until last year when the organization set the max time limit at nine seconds for newer cars, down from ten seconds. With its 8.91-second time, the Demon 170 just barely exceeds the limit.
Dodge
The Demon 170 stands out as one of the swiftest vehicles on the road today, outpacing many competitors within its own class or price range. Priced at an estimated $96,666 before destination charges, it offers a more affordable alternative compared to its closest electric rivals, the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Tesla Model S Plaid. The Lucid model comes with a hefty $249,000 price tag, while the Tesla is priced at $109,990 (excluding destination fees). Although it is faster than the Tesla with an official 9.23-second time, Lucid claims the Air Sapphire can complete a quarter-mile in under nine seconds, without specifying an exact time frame. In the realm of internal combustion engine (ICE) competition, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport can conquer the quarter-mile in around 9.4 seconds.
However, certain limitations exist. The Demon 170 is equipped with specialized rear tires and its 1.66-second 0-60 time was achieved on a specially-prepared track. In practical terms, it is unlikely to replicate this performance on regular road surfaces. On the other hand, its electric counterparts, featuring all-wheel drive, can likely realize their stated performance figures more closely without the need for a prepped surface. That being said, the drag strip remains the optimal environment for testing such high-performance capabilities.
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