Some cars don't live up to their names. They promise a lot and fail to deliver. The Mitsubishi Charisma had none, whilst the Skoda Rapid wasn't. Others though are fully entitled to their flashy monikers. A Ford Bronco Raptor feels as ferocious as you would expect, whereas the Ferrari 812 Superfast certainly was.
At the top of the tree for names that just fit, is the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. A vehicle that certainly is every bit as demonic as a gearhead could ever wish for. Where the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye may be the best daily driver, the Demon version has it beaten for attitude, aggression, and insanity.
Bursting at the seams with power, the Demon, a drag racing specialist, has left an enormous legacy in its wake. Chewing through tires at an alarming rate, and devouring many so-called supercars as it goes, these are 10 Reasons why every gearhead should drive the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
10 It Truly Is Demonic
If ever a car could brag about having its shell taken over by undead spirits then the Challenger SRT Demon would be at the front of the queue. A snarling, crazed creation that growls and spits with every press of the throttle, the Demon is a monstrous machine.
The smattering of horn-headed logos which decorate the car captures the ethos of the Demon perfectly. Looking wild, and untamed they hint at what lies beneath the hood. A hugely impressive force that can seemingly shake the world with so much ease.
9 Old School Cool
The special edition Challenger SRT Demon doesn't need overblown bodywork, ridiculous spoilers, or lurid add-ons. Its unfussy approach to style retains the refreshed, retro Challenger look. Subtle tweaks elevate its presence, setting it apart from lesser models.
Yet when a car can shout as loud as the Challenger SRT Demon there is no need to dress in a wild frock. Function overcomes form. It has the largest functional hood scoop of any production car. It is a machine built for speed with zero compromises.
8 Tire Smoking Power
At the heart of the beast lies a 6.2-liter Hemi V8. Fittest to this is the largest supercharger ever seen on a production car. That combination throws out an insane 840hp and 770lb-ft of torque when fed with premium-grade race fuel.
Even on regular gas, the SRT Demon makes 808hp and 717lb-ft of torque. Those are numbers that most supercars could only dream of. Stepping on the loud pedal will see a set of standard rear road tires liquefy at a startling rate. On sticky drag-style slicks, it just flies.
7 Supercar Slaying Speed
Where speed is concerned the Demon takes no prisoners. This Challenger is capable of hitting 30mph in 1 second. At full launch, the SRT Demon can hit 1.8g off the line. The speedo needle snaps to 60mph in a mere 2.3 seconds. That is just a mind-blowing performance.
A tool to take to the drag strip, the Challenger SRT Demon will pass the quarter-mile marker in 9.65 seconds at 140mph. But then again, during its development, the goal was to have a car that would smash the 10-second mark. Well, that's a job well done Dodge.
6 The Fear Of God
Opening up the taps on a Challenger SRT Demon is not for the faint-hearted. The sheer amount of power that floods the rear of the car can be unruly. For those not used to big power, this can leave nasty marks not only on the strip but also in the underwear.
At wide-open throttle, the noise made by the Demon is almost feral in its nature. The bellowing V8, the whining supercharger, and the screech as its tires try to tame the creature. It's an aural delight that any gearhead will appreciate and fall in love with instantly.
5 A Fistful Of Dollars
To set it apart as the ultimate in special edition cars the Challenger SRT Demon was offered with some very tempting extras. For a single dollar, buyers could buy a passenger seat. A further dollar would see them the proud owners of 'The Crate'.
Inside a large wooden box was a pair of skinny front drag wheels and tires. A modified engine controller to make the most of the bump up to 100 octane fuel. A special VIN plate, plus an assortment of tools to make you look like a pit crew professional.
4 Soon To Be Exorcised
Maniac machines like the superb Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will soon become just a hallowed urban legend. With the need to eradicate fossil fuel-driven vehicles, its power plant and the very purpose for its existence have become very politically incorrect.
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The huge shift towards electrification, hydrogen, and other alternate green fuels signals a bad omen for cars like the Demon. Relegated to the history books far too early it will become a sideshow attraction in a museum, trapped as an unhappy show-and-shine special.
3 A Bit Of A Bargain
On its release for 2018, the SRT Demon was the most powerful muscle car you could buy. It weighed in at a heady $84,995 and was snapped up by 3,300 eager Challenger fans. What seemed like an expensive Challenger provided huge performance for very little outlay.
To get this level of performance anywhere else would have four times the price. Only supercars can deliver this level of power and speed. But then supercars are a bit too fancy and, ultimately, not as cool as a muscle car that can devour just about anything on the road.
2 Future Collectible
Although only produced for a single model year (2018) and only sold in the USA and Canada when new, some used examples of the mighty SRT Demon have filtered their way across the globe. Prices have also jumped with examples now swapping hands for prices in the region of $150,000 to $170,000. That's a huge increase over the list price already.
With its pedigree, exclusivity, and low production volume the Challenger SRT Demon is set to become a collectible. It is one of the last true overpowered muscle cars, a fact that sets it apart from the competition. Prices will continue to rise, and the car become a modern legend.
1 The Challenging Challenger
Born from a single idea of dominating at the track the Challenger SRT Demon is not to be approached with a light touch. All that power can't truly be tamed, but the onboard computer helps. From here a variety of useful tools can be engaged to keep things manageable.
Banned by the NHRA from attending events the Challenger SRT Demon is a wildcard. It will slurp through gasoline at a rate that hardly ever leaves single digits. Even in ECO mode, the car delivers a robust 500hp. It's an ode to horsepower, and one done well.