ULTIMATE MOPAR MUSCLE

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon might just have been the most eagerly anticipated production car in modern times. With a tantalizing online campaign that fed the punters just enough to get a taste but nowhere near an amount to really sink their teeth into, there was a lot of hype to live up to, but the Demon has delivered. An evolution of the already insane Dodge Challenger Hellcat, it uses the familiar 6.2-litre Hemi with a built bottom end to handle 14.5psi of boost from the huge 2.7-litre supercharger. This means numbers of 840hp and 770lb·ft, and an incredible NHRA-certified quarter-mile time of 9.65s at 140mph and 0–60mph time of 2.3 seconds, making it the quickest production car ever. Before you think to mention COPO Camaros or Cobra Jet Mustangs, bear in mind that the Demon has been designed and engineered from the getgo to be 100-per-cent street legal. It’s the only production car to come factory equipped with a transbrake. When engaged, Dodge’s TransBrake system locks the eight-speed automatic transmission’s output shaft, allowing for an immediate transfer of torque through to the tyres as soon as it is disengaged. The logic here is that the paddle-operated system is far more conducive to quicker reaction times and harder launches than a conventional two-footed approach. This is used in conjunction with what Dodge is calling its ‘ Torque Reserve’ system — similar to modern launch-control systems and an evolution of the simple two-step ignition. The 315/40R18 Nitto drag radials have been specifically designed for the Demon, and the cars come with a pair of skinny front-runners for drag-strip duty. With such immense power and torque coupled with sticky rubber, the driveline has been beefed up appropriately, and, despite Dodge electing to retain the Challenger’s independent rear suspension (IRS), the 41-spline half-shafts are as tough as they get from factory and clearly get the job done. The IRS will no doubt aid in on-road refinement, and Dodge has worked tirelessly on ensuring it is as effective as possible. The suspension has been tuned to maximize weight transfer to the rear wheels at launch, while the Launch Assist function uses wheel-speed sensors to monitor for signs of wheel hop, momentarily reducing engine torque, if needed, to eliminate wheel hop before it happens. Despite the super-serious drag-strip orientation, the Demon’s primary purpose of being an ubertough streeter is undeniable, and Dodge has gone to considerable lengths to ensure that it is not only street legal but also street drivable. For the full rundown on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, visit themotorhood.com and seach ‘Dodge Demon’.