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Demon (engine)

Car culture term

What is Demon (engine)?

The most extreme variant of the Hellcat 6.2 supercharged HEMI V8. Demon (2018) and Demon 170 (2023) make 808 and 1,025 horsepower respectively.

Demon refers to the most extreme variants of the Stellantis Hellcat engine program. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon produced 808 horsepower (or 840 horsepower with the included drag racing tools and 100-octane race fuel). The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 produced 1,025 horsepower on E85 fuel, making it the most powerful production V8 ever sold in a factory automobile.

The Demon program emphasized factory drag racing capability. The 2018 Demon was sold with a "Demon Crate" containing drag radials, additional supporting equipment, and extra-strong shifters and oil pickup tubes for the dual-clutch transmission. The included tools transformed the Demon from a street car into a serious drag racing machine capable of mid-9-second quarter-mile passes in stock form. The car was the first production vehicle banned from NHRA drag racing for being too fast.

The Demon 170 (2023) was the final Hellcat-related variant. Producing 1,025 horsepower on E85, the car ran 8.91-second quarter miles in factory trim with the included drag radials. Limited production of around 3,300 units globally. The Demon 170 marked the end of the Hellcat platform; subsequent Charger production has used different powertrains. The Demon 170 quickly became one of the most collectible modern Mopar cars.

Related terms

Hellcat (engine)SuperchargerMuscle car

Frequently asked questions

What makes the Demon different from the Hellcat?
Larger 2.7L supercharger (vs 2.4L on standard Hellcat), revised heads, larger fuel injectors, and aggressive tuning. The Demon was specifically designed for drag racing. The 2018 Demon also included the famous Demon Crate with drag racing equipment. The Demon 170 added E85 capability for even more power.
Why was the Demon banned from NHRA?
The 2018 Demon was the first production vehicle in NHRA history to be banned for being too fast. The car runs 9.65-second quarter miles in factory trim, which exceeds NHRA stock vehicle classifications. Owners with full safety equipment (cage, harness, fire suppression) can run the cars in modified classes; running the cars in stock class would require de-tuning.
How fast is the Demon 170?
The Demon 170 runs 8.91-second quarter miles in factory trim with the included drag radials. Faster than virtually any production car ever sold; comparable performance previously required serious aftermarket modifications. The car achieves this on E85 fuel with a sophisticated traction control system.
Why is the Demon called Demon?
The Demon name was a reference to the 1971 Plymouth Demon (a rebadged Dodge Dart). The original Demon was an entry-level muscle car; the modern Demon is the opposite (the most extreme muscle car). The name was chosen for marketing impact and connection to Dodge muscle car heritage.
Are Demons collector items?
Yes. Limited production (3,300 units of Demon 170, smaller numbers of original 2018 Demons), extreme performance, and end of an era status make the Demon a serious collector item. Auction values have been climbing; clean low-mile examples have approached $400,000+. The 2018 Demon (especially the limited 1320 trim) is similarly valued.
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