Few names in the muscle car world carry the shock and swagger of ‘Demon’. The badge traces back to 1971, when it was slapped on the Dart Demon, based on the same A-body platform as the Plymouth Duster that could run the quarter in a respectable 14.8 seconds. The name lay dormant for decades, until it popped up on a Roadster concept back in ‘07. Fast forward a decade, and in 2018, the Demon name finally featured on the modern-day Challenger. With its 840 horsepower wheelie-popping antics, it seemed like Dodge performance had peaked.
But that wasn’t the case, because in March 2023, at the Las Vegas Motors Speedway, Dodge unveiled its final act: the Challenger SRT Demon 170. By the time the dust had settled on the grand entry featuring everything from a helicopter to flame throwers, the numbers said it all: 1.66 seconds to 60 mph and an 8.91-second quarter mile time at 151 mph. Mopar fans couldn’t have asked for a better send-off.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: The Ultimate Mopar Muscle Car
Under the hood lives the trusty 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine, now nicknamed D170. With a 3.0-liter supercharger and a 105 mm throttle body, a revised pulley for 40% more boost, forged rods, and new cylinder heads, this heavily reworked powerplant sends 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels, provided you feed it E85 ethanol. The 170 in the name signifies the alcohol-proof in the E85 fuel.
On pump gas (E10 with 91 Octane), it produces just 900 horsepower and 810 pound-feet of torque. The flex-fuel system adjusts on the fly, displaying the Ethanol content in real time with its own dedicated reading in the gauge cluster. A chiller, used to cool the supercharger after a high-speed run, is fitted as standard.
“We were literally grenading these engines. A dyno cell caught on fire, we were blowing them up so bad.” – Former Dodge CEO, Tim Kuniskis
During the development and testing phase of the 170, Dodge engineers blew up several prototypes, but they persevered. In the end, Cylinder pressure was up 25 percent compared to Hellcat Redeye models. To handle the extra grunt, the driveline was also beefed up, the propshaft was reinforced, and the 170 received a new differential housing. Even the adaptive suspension was tuned for weight transfer and grip.
Dodge Demon 170 Specs
| Engine Displacement | 6.2L (6166 cc) |
| Engine Configuration | Supercharged OHV V8 (Hemi) |
| Horsepower | 1,025 hp (on E85) |
| Torque | 945 lb-ft (on E85) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (TorqueFlite) |
| Curb Weight | ~4,275 lbs |
| 0–60 mph | 1.66 seconds (with rollout) |
| Top Speed | ~151 mph |
Race-Bred Hardware To Dominate The Quarter Mile
Despite the immense power reserves, the Demon 170 was not designed for Bonneville, but for the strip. At its core, this car is a drag racer first, more than anything else, which is why the top speed is governed at 151 mph. The launch and off-the-line performance are what really matter.
As a standard Challenger, you still get creature comforts like air conditioning, a radio, and even carpets. But with Transbrake 2.0, sticky Mickey Thompson ET Street R 315/50R17 drag radials on the staggered wide-body setup with flared fenders, launch control, and the drag mode tuning baked into the 8-speed automatic, the Demon 170 is capable of pulling 2.004 Gs during acceleration runs, more than any other production car in history. Line lock allows you to lock the front brakes to help pull some rad burnouts and put heat into the rear tires. Optional carbon-fiber wheels helped the Demon 170 shed about 157 pounds over the standard Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye widebody.
While standard brakes are four-piston Brembos, without a roll cage or parachute, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) banned the Demon 170 outright because 8.0-second cars typically don’t feature license plates. Of course, these numbers come from Pro drivers in ideal conditions and a prepped surface, and 8s will be a tall order for most drivers.
Dodge Demon 170 Price: Market Value And Last Call Rarity
Upon launch, the Demon 170 carried a near-six-figure sticker price of $96,666. Well-spec’d examples saw prices hover around $150k, but with dealer markups and high demand, some instances also cracked the $200,000 mark. Prices have since cooled, and the current average price according to classic.com sits at $169,155. Dodge planned a production run of around 3,300 units (3,000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada) but couldn’t guarantee the final number owing to production timelines. Both the Charger and Challenger bowed out in 2023, and the Demon 170 was part of the Last Call Series of limited-run Mopar muscle cars.
Just as with the 2018 Demon, which commands around $150,000 these days, the 170 achieved instant halo status, with all the added hardware, capability, and having that Last Call status. Expect values to remain strong for low-mileage, unmodifed, and well-documented examples. Unique specs, special vins and colors, like Destroyer Gray, or Plum Crazy, could carry a premium. It is worth noting that the Demon 170 was also available with a secret Jailbreak program, offered to just a handful of customers. It allowed these buyers to further customize their vehicles with unique paint jobs. 20 classic 1970s colors and 20 modern Mopar colors were available. A serialized red and yellow plaque in the cabin signifies this Demon’s exclusivity.
What To Know Before Buying A Demon 170
This muscle car is not for amateurs, and a misjudged throttle input could light up those rears. If you’re in the market for a Demon 170, documentation is going to be vital: window sticker, build sheet, and proof of ethanol runs. Remember, you need the corn-based E85 to unleash all 1,025 horses. Check the DME for logs and over-revs. Tire wear is another thing you want to pay attention to. Drag radials, unlike wear fast and unevenly.
Factory-condition cars always command a premium. Original buyers received a commemorative Demon crate with tools and a Vin-matched badge along with drag accessories. A long list of after-sales products, specifically for the Demon 170, was also available. Having all of these bits increases the overall value of the vehicle.
Demon 170 Alternatives
If you’re willing to settle for something a little bit less potent, the following models still offer plenty of muscle-car heritage and collector potential at slightly more attainable prices.
2018 Dodge Demon
840 hp / 9.65s quarter-mile
Avg. Market Price: $138,983
2015–2023 Hellcat Redeye Widebody
797 hp / 10.8s quarter-mile
Avg. Market Price: $81,975
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (6-speed manual)
668 hp / 204 mph top speed
Avg. Market Price: $101,451
Here’s Why The Demon 170 Matters
Now, this isn’t the fastest or most powerful muscle car ever; however, what the Demon 170 is; is the final V8 Mopar muscle car, not just of the modern era, but also of the decades gone by. The latest Charger Daytona with its all-electric underpinnings and Fratzonic exhaust didn’t garner as much attention as Dodge would have liked, and while the platform can support internal combustion powerplants, it’ll be the Hurricane 6 that does duty instead of a HEMI V8. Celebrity owners like Jay Leno, Mark Goldberg, and Kenny Wayne only add further cachet to the Demon 170’s appeal and cement its status as one of the all-time greats.
Image Source: Dodge/Stellantis
FAQs
1. How much does the Demon 170 cost?
A. The Demon 170 had a starting MSRP of $96,666, excluding freight, taxes, fees and other addiitonal charges. These days, average prices hover just under $170,000.
2. Are Dodge Demons street-legal?
A. Yes, while modern-day Dodge Demons pack a substantial amount of race-bred hardware designed for the drag strip, they are street-legal.
3. How hard is it to get a Demon 170?
A. You can find Dodge Demon 170s on marketplaces like duPont REGISTRY. The rarer Jailbreak models may be difficult to come by and will command a premium.
4. How many Demon 170s are there?
A. A total of 3,300 units were approved for series production, with 3,000 cars for the U.S. market and 300 for Canada.
5. Why is the Demon 170 banned?
A. The lack of safety equipment like a rollcage and parachute on an 8.0-second car, led the NHRA to ban the Demon 170.
