Whats the Dodge Demon top speed?

The top speed of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is 168 mph (270 km/h). This figure comes from Dodge’s official performance specifications and corroborating independent tests of the drag-focused muscle car. Below we explain what that means, how it’s measured, and what factors can influence the number in real-world conditions.

Official figure and how it’s measured

The Demon’s published top speed is 168 mph. This value reflects the car’s factory tuning and the speed-limiting setup designed for straight-line performance. To understand what that number represents, it’s helpful to look at how top speed is typically measured for a car whose core purpose is drag racing rather than highway cruising.

Before you dive into the specifics, here are the key numbers often cited alongside the top speed, drawn from Dodge’s specifications and testing done by independent outlets:

• Official top speed: 168 mph (270 km/h)


• 0–60 mph time: about 2.3 seconds


• Quarter-mile time: roughly 9.65 seconds at about 140 mph


• Engine: 6.2-liter Hemi V8 with a supercharger; up to ~840 hp on high-octane fuel

These figures come from the car’s drag-optimized design, including suspension tuning, tires, and powertrain control strategies, rather than a typical daily-driving configuration. In controlled testing, such as on a closed track or drag strip, the top speed is constrained by the vehicle’s gearing, aerodynamics, and a speed governor tuned for performance consistency.

What affects measured top speed?

Several factors influence the speed that can be achieved in testing or on the road, even for a car with a stated top speed of 168 mph:

• Gearing and drivetrain setup that favor rapid acceleration over sustained highway cruising


• Drag-reduction features such as aerodynamics and wheel/tire choice


• Weight and ballast that impact acceleration and final-drive behavior


• Fuel grade and engine tuning, which affect horsepower output


• Testing conditions (altitude, ambient temperature, humidity, track surface)

In practice, the Demon’s top speed is most meaningful as a ceiling under optimal drag-strip conditions, not as a typical highway speed. Independent tests have shown the car delivering exceptional straight-line performance, while actual top-speed runs depend heavily on the test setup and environment.

Why top speed isn’t the whole story for the Demon

For a car built to dominate drag strips, the Demon prioritizes acceleration and quarter-mile efficiency over high-speed highway cruising. The combination of a supercharged V8, launch-focused tuning, and drag-optimized tires yields astonishing straight-line performance. However, those same choices mean the Demon is not pitched as a long-distance highway car, and its top speed sits at 168 mph rather than something much higher.

Additionally, the Demon’s performance envelope is shaped by regulatory and safety considerations, factory calibrations, and the purpose-built nature of its drivetrain package. enthusiasts often emphasize 0–60 mph times and quarter-mile performance more than top speed when discussing the Demon’s capabilities.

Performance details at a glance

To summarize the most commonly cited figures and what they imply, here is a concise snapshot of the Demon’s speed-related performance. This list combines the official top speed with related capabilities that are frequently referenced by testers and reviewers.

• Top speed: 168 mph (270 km/h)


• 0–60 mph: about 2.3 seconds


• Quarter-mile: around 9.65 seconds at ~140 mph


• Powertrain: 6.2-liter Hemi V8 with a supercharger; up to ~840 hp on 100-octane fuel

These numbers reflect the Demon’s role as a drag-focused muscle car and are most accurately interpreted as a performance ceiling under ideal test conditions rather than a typical daily-driving spec.

Summary

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon tops out at 168 mph, a figure that showcases its drag-strip prowess rather than highway cruising ability. Coupled with a brisk 0–60 mph time and a 1/4-mile time in the mid-nine-second range, the Demon stands out for acceleration and straight-line speed. Real-world outcomes depend on fueling, track conditions, gearing, and the exact testing setup, but the 168 mph ceiling remains the benchmark most people reference when discussing the Demon’s speed profile.

Summary of key takeaways

In short, the Demon’s official top speed is 168 mph, and its standout performance is driven by a supercharged V8 tuned for rapid acceleration rather than high-speed cruising. For enthusiasts, the car’s true allure lies in its quarter-mile ability and launch performance, which define its place in modern drag racing history.

Is the Demon 170 street legal?

Yes, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is street-legal and meets all safety and emissions regulations for public roads, despite being built for drag racing. However, its extreme performance capabilities and specialized drag radial tires mean it requires careful handling on the street, especially in wet conditions. Due to its sub-9-second quarter-mile times, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has banned stock Demon 170s from its sanctioned competitions, as those events have a rule against cars running faster than 10 seconds on their own.
 
This video reviews the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and its features: 1mDoug DeMuroYouTube · Jul 18, 2024

• Street-legal compliance: The car is engineered to meet all necessary safety and emission standards, but it does not come with a roll cage as standard equipment. 
• Performance and handling: It can go from 000 to 606060 mph in as little as 1.661.661.66 seconds on an ideal surface. The specialized drag radial tires, while providing necessary grip for drag racing, are not designed for the same level of durability as a standard road tire and can be particularly risky in wet conditions. 
• Drag racing ban: Its incredibly fast performance means the stock Demon 170 cannot compete in NHRA-sanctioned drag races, as it runs the quarter-mile in under 9 seconds, which is too fast for the current regulations. 

You can watch this video to see what it's like to drive the Dodge Demon 170 in the rain: 1mMilesPerHrYouTube · Mar 19, 2025

What's faster, GT500 or Demon?

The demon 170 is literally the fastest street legal car (from factory) for 0-60. It can hit it in under 1.7 seconds. The most recent GT500 0-60 is low 3s iirc. Oh it's lost plenty.

Is the Demon 170 faster than a Tesla?

That's a wrap demon 170 versus Tesla i squeezed out the third. Win but man that thing's a monster it's just It's a little tricky to get out the hole. Sometimes you spin i mean he had fresh track prep.

How fast does the Dodge Demon go?

The Dodge Demon's top speed is limited to approximately 151 mph, but this is not its true top speed. The vehicle's drag radial tires are the limiting factor, with a top speed rating of 151 mph at the end of its 8.91-second quarter-mile run. It is also the quickest production car, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds.
 
You can watch this video to see the Dodge Demon's acceleration from 0-60 mph: 59sVehicle VirginsYouTube · Jan 17, 2024

• Top Speed: Approximately 151 mph (limited by tires).
• Quarter-Mile Time: 8.91 seconds at a trap speed of 151.17 mph.
• 0-60 mph Time: 1.66 seconds.
• Acceleration: Highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 Gs. 

This video explains why the Dodge Demon is so fast: 1mRacerXYouTube · Mar 6, 2025