What happened to the Dodge Demon?

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was a limited-run, high-horsepower variant produced for the 2018 model year and has not been reintroduced since. It remains a standout in drag-racing lore but is officially retired from Dodge’s lineup.

Origins and specifications

At its core, the Demon was Dodge’s purpose-built drag car for the street, created to push the boundaries of speed and straight-line performance while still being street-legal. Here are the defining specifications and features that set the Demon apart.

• Engine and power: 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 capable of 808 horsepower on 93-octane fuel, with up to about 840 horsepower when running higher-octane or race fuel, depending on the tuning and testing conditions.


• Torque: Approximately 770 lb-ft (SAE net), delivering extreme launch capability for drag racing.


• Drivetrain and performance equipment: Factory-equipped features to optimize quarter-mile performance, including a line-lock and a trans-brake-style launch capability for controlled launches on drag surfaces.


• Weight-reduction and packaging: Built as a high-performance, track-tuned Challenger, with weight-saving measures and unique Demon options to maximize acceleration and braking efficiency.


• Wheel and tire setup: Standardized for drag racing, including large rear tires and wheels designed to handle the stress of high-speed quarter-mile runs.


• Demon Crate: A special package that included tools and components to support drag-race readiness, enabling owners to optimize performance outside the dealership setting.

The Demon was engineered to be the most powerful, street-legal production car Dodge had ever offered, with a focus on straight-line speed and track-friendly features that appealed to enthusiasts who took a serious interest in drag racing.

Production and reception

Only a single, limited production run was announced for the Demon, contributing to its status as a collectible performance car. Here are the key points about its production and how it was received by the market and the media.

1. Limited production: Dodge built up to 3,300 Challenger SRT Demons for the United States and Canada during the 2018 model year, creating a rare and highly sought-after vehicle.


2. One-year run: The Demon was effectively a 2018-only model, with no formal continuation into subsequent model years.


3. Pricing and demand: The base price was in the mid to upper $80,000s, with demand outstripping supply as production sold out quickly among enthusiasts and collectors.


4. Drag-focused package: The car’s factory equipment and the Demon Crate package helped buyers maximize performance on drag strips while still offering street legality.


5. Reception: Critics and enthusiasts applauded the Demon for its quarter-mile capabilities and the engineering that enabled a production car to stage a top-tier drag-race experience, while balancing comfort and daily usability for a rare few.

Today, the Demon remains a benchmark in discussions of production-car drag performance and a symbol of Dodge’s aggressive, high-performance era. It is widely regarded as a collector’s item and a reminder of the brand’s drag-racing heritage.

Legacy and current status

Since the Demon’s 2018 run, Dodge has not reintroduced the Demon name or released a direct successor. The brand’s high-performance emphasis has continued through other models, most notably the Hellcat lineup and later the broader performance strategy under Stellantis. Here is what that means in practice.

The fate of the Demon name and the future of Dodge performance

There has been continued market interest and nostalgia surrounding the Demon, but no official reentry of the Demon name into production. Dodge has instead expanded and evolved its high-performance offerings through the Hellcat family and other performance-oriented initiatives. In the years since, Dodge has focused on maintaining a performance legacy through improved variants, electronics, and powertrain efficiency, while signaling a path toward electrification in line with industry trends. For collectors, the original 2018 Demon persists as a landmark vehicle with enduring appeal and a strong resale footprint.

Summary

The Dodge Demon was a purpose-built, limited-run Challenger released in 2018. It delivered extraordinary straight-line speed with a supercharged V8, a specialized drag-focused package, and a limited production run of about 3,300 units. Since then, Dodge has not revived the Demon name or introduced a direct successor, choosing instead to push performance forward through other models and, eventually, an electrified future. The Demon’s legacy endures among enthusiasts as one of the most storied production cars in drag racing history.

Why did they stop making Dodge Demon?

While enthusiasts and collectors lament the end of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon era, they can also celebrate the impact it has left on the automotive landscape. Dodge's decision to conclude production speaks to the brand's commitment to pushing innovation and introducing new, thrilling models to their lineup.

Do they still make the Dodge Demon?

No, they do not still make the Dodge Demon, as production for the limited-run models has ended. The first generation concluded with the 2018 model year, and a final, even more powerful version, the Demon 170, was produced as part of the "Last Call" series for the 2023 model year and was the final Challenger to roll off the assembly line.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the features of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: 59sRaiti's RidesYouTube · Apr 26, 2025

• The original Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was a single-year, 2018 model, with 3,300 units produced. 
• The final production model, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, concluded production in December 2023. 
• Both versions were limited-production vehicles that are now considered collector's items. 

This video reviews the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: 57sThrottle HouseYouTube · Dec 20, 2024

Who is faster, Hellcat or Demon?

The Dodge Demon is faster than the Hellcat, especially in acceleration, due to its higher horsepower, more aggressive drag-racing-focused features like a TransBrake, and a drag-tuned suspension. The Demon can accelerate from 000 to 606060 mph in as little as 1.661.661.66 to 2.32.32.3 seconds, while the Hellcat takes just over 3.53.53.5 seconds. 
You can watch this video to see a drag race between the Demon and Hellcat: 56sSpeedLabs // MotorEnvyYouTube · Mar 28, 2019
Key performance differences

• 000 to 606060 mph: The Demon is significantly faster, with times around 1.661.661.66 to 2.32.32.3 seconds compared to the Hellcat's 3.53.53.5 to 3.73.73.7 seconds. 
• Horsepower: The Demon produces up to 102510251025 horsepower on race fuel, while the Hellcat has around 707707707 horsepower. 
• Quarter-mile time: The Demon has a much quicker quarter-mile time, with the 2018 model running it in 9.659.659.65 seconds and the 2024 model in 8.618.618.61 seconds, compared to the Hellcat's 11.711.711.7 seconds. 
• Top Speed: The Demon can reach a higher top speed, with the 2018 model hitting 211211211 mph, while the Hellcat tops out around 203203203 mph. 
• Purpose: The Demon was built specifically for drag racing and includes features like a TransBrake, drag radials, and a drag-tuned suspension for optimal launches, whereas the Hellcat is designed more as a high-performance daily driver. 

Why is Dodge Demon banned?

The Dodge Demon was "banned" by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) because its stock, un-modified version was too fast for their rules, specifically for running a quarter-mile in under 10 seconds without the required safety equipment, such as a roll cage. This meant that to compete officially, a Demon would have to be upgraded with safety gear that would make it less street-friendly. However, the car was not officially banned from all tracks and was more of a marketing point for Dodge, highlighting its incredible performance. 
This video explains why the Dodge Demon was banned by NHRA: 58siTEN tvYouTube · Oct 29, 2017
Details of the ban

• Speed: The 2018 Dodge Demon could run the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds straight from the factory. The 2023 Demon 170 was even faster, at 8.91 seconds. 
• NHRA rules: NHRA regulations at the time stated that any car running faster than 10 seconds in the quarter-mile needed additional safety equipment, including a roll cage. 
• Safety equipment: The stock Demon did not come with a roll cage, a requirement for competitive racing in the 9-second zone. 
• Marketing strategy: Dodge used the "ban" as a marketing tool, publicizing that the car was too fast for the official racing rules. 

Clarification

• Not banned from all tracks: The Demon was not banned from all dragstrips; owners could still race it as long as they either added the required safety equipment or continued racing on tracks that didn't enforce the rule as strictly. 
• Upgrading for safety: Owners can still race their Demons in official competitions by adding the necessary safety upgrades, such as a certified roll cage and other safety gear, as detailed in the NHRA's safety requirements. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the Dodge Demon 170: 1mLeif Johnson FordYouTube · Apr 6, 2023