While there are series-production EVs that go above and beyond, like the Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire, few ICE-powered models can measure up to the feistiness of the 1,025-hp (on E85) 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.
This limited-edition model was the culmination of a lifetime of Mopar greatness in the big V8 era for the L-bodied Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupe. Now they're extinct after production ceased in December 2023 and all you can find is left-over inventory – and people clearly search for them with arduous tenacity.
For example, the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro – also extinct since December 2023 – was sold in 444 examples during the third quarter of the year. In contrast, the L-bodied Challenger had 3,657 deliveries during that time. Even better, the Dodge Challenger isn't too far behind the S650 seventh-generation Ford Mustang market leader (36,485 units) with 24,874 deliveries year-to-date.
Even so, the living sports cars fared better – the C8 Chevrolet Corvette, which is now mid-engined and hardly mainstream anymore from the point of view of MSRPs, reached a tally of 25,711 vehicles, showing that Team Corvette is on the right track with the Stingray, Z06, and E-Ray. However, until the ZR1 arrives, it seems like the Challenger Demon 170 can do anything it wants with the C8.
But there is no need to take our word for granted – here's an eloquent example. The videographer behind the Wheels Plus channel on YouTube is a big fan of Mission Raceway Park and found a Demon 170 ready to brawl with anyone – including a gray C8 Chevy Corvette and a white Ford Mustang. This is a compilation video, by the way, and from the two-minute mark, there are also Chargers, Demons 170 facing each other, and Hellcats on point.
Back to MRP – also known as 'Thunder by the River' for obvious reasons since you can see the body of water when facing toward 'Farmer Lane,' which is the right-hand side of the dragstrip, the purple Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was happy to spool up his massive rear tires. At the same time, the C8 driver didn't care about the audience's reaction to no burnout.
It did leave the starting point feeling pretty confident about its reaction time abilities, while the mighty Demon 170 stuttered and then thundered along for the ride. Alas, when it finally regained composure, nothing could stop it, and the Corvette seemed unable to cope with the mighty supercharged Mopar. Thus, the result was clear: 10.02s at 144 mph versus 11.3s at 120 mph.
Next up, a white Fox Body Ford Mustang came along to fight the Demon 170, but people shouldn't laugh at its mere sight – the little rascal is obviously modified, with the exhaust coming out through the front bumper and the huge rear tires directing your attention to the rear chute strapped to its back. This, obviously, was going to be a drag for the ages.
That was exactly the case, and the old-school Fox Body plus the new-school supercharged Mopar didn't disappoint us with clean starts and a roaring rivalry to the finish line. Alas, one of them took up the lead early on and never relinquished it, hence the 9.7s at 144 mph versus 10.04s at 144 mph result. Now, let's see who was (unexpectedly) stomped, shall we?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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