What year did Dodge make the Demon?
Dodge produced two distinct Demons: a classic Demon for the 1971–1972 model years, and the modern Dodge Challenger SRT Demon released for the 2018 model year (unveiled in 2017).
This article explains both eras, clarifies what the Demon name referred to in each period, and places them in their broader historical context within Dodge's performance lineup.
Two Eras of the Demon badge
Below is a quick breakdown of the two Dodge Demons that carried the name, highlighting when they were produced and how they differed in concept.
- Classic Dodge Demon — 1971 to 1972 model years
- Modern Dodge Challenger SRT Demon — 2018 model year (announced 2017)
These two uses of the Demon name span decades and reflect distinct eras of American performance culture.
Classic Dodge Demon (1971–1972)
The original Demon was introduced during Dodge's early 1970s muscle-car era as a performance-oriented variant within the Dart lineup. It lived for the 1971 and 1972 model years and has since become a collectible emblem of Dodge's drag-racing-first approach in that era.
Key characteristics of the classic Demon include:
- Introduced as a performance-focused variant of the Dodge Dart family in 1971
- Produced for the 1971 and 1972 model years
- Emphasized drag-racing readiness with weight-saving options and a no-frills, performance-oriented package
The classic Demon remains a distinctive chapter in Dodge’s history, emblematic of the brand's early-’70s emphasis on straight-line speed.
Production and Legacy
As a short-lived model, the Demon’s legacy centers on its reputation among drag-race enthusiasts and collectors who prize its stark, performance-first philosophy from that era.
Design Notes
Design and branding for the original Demon leaned into the era’s muscular aesthetic, offering a contrast to Dodge’s more luxury-oriented options and signaling a clear performance focus within a compact-car framework.
Modern Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (2018 model year)
The modern Demon represents Dodge’s return to extreme production-car performance, debuting for the 2018 model year and announced in 2017. It was conceived as a halo car for the brand, built to maximize straight-line speed on a factory basis and tailored for drag-strip use.
Key characteristics of the modern Demon include:
- Produced for the 2018 model year (unveiled in 2017)
- Factory drag-oriented package with specialized tires and tuning
- Limited production, positioned as a top-tier, high-performance street-legal car
The modern Demon underscored Dodge’s engineering emphasis on extreme acceleration and track-ready capability, packaged for street legality and official drag racing contexts.
Performance Context
As a halo vehicle, the Challenger SRT Demon highlighted Dodge’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the horsepower wars of its time, while also building a narrative around factory-backed drag race technology and consumer-accessible speed.
Summary
Across two generations, the Demon name has marked Dodge’s approach to performance: a 1971–1972 classic that captured early-’70s muscle-car sensibilities, and a 2018 modern Challenger that showcased extreme, factory-backed drag performance. Together, they illustrate how Dodge has alternated between lightweight, street-legal speed and territory-defining power across decades.
