Well, there we have it. At this year’s New York International Auto Show, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon debuted. Released to outdo the Hellcat, but not yet put it to rest, the SRT Demon may be the last muscle car we’ll see from automakers for awhile. Aside from rumors and post-factory modifications, the fastest factory made vehicle is the 840-horsepower Dodge SRT Demon. Though it’s officially the fastest production car, that doesn’t mean manufacturers aren’t coming out with limited-edition models to try to outdo the SRT Demon. Could the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon already have a challenger (no pun intended)?

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Let’s look at the cold hard facts. The Dodge SRT Demon is powered by a newly modified supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 engine. Constructed with a wide air-grabber hood scoop, it induces over 1,000 cubic-feet of air per minute. Wider than the Hellcat, and with 97 new modified parts, it also includes a larger 2.7-liter supercharger, a new crankshaft, new connecting rods, new pistons, a new steel camshaft, and a new valvetrain.

With an output of 840-horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque, the SRT Demon accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in 9.65 seconds - that’s a mile in less than 40 seconds, maybe even closer to 30 if it hits 100 mph. With classic Dodge style heritage, wide-body fender flares, a wider stance, and street-legal drag-race tires, this is one mean machine. Designed to run on 100+ unleaded high-octane fuel, there are rumors of a second fuel mode that will unleash the full potential of the Dodge SRT Demon, pushing its horsepower up to 1023 … but that’s just a rumor.

John Hennessey’s Post-Factory Camaro

A Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is aimed to take the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon down before it hits the streets. John Hennessey with Hennessey Performance modded a Camaro ZL1 with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with an upgraded supercharger and intercooler, adding a new camshaft, new stainless steel headers, a new air intake, and some fine-tuning of the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU). The last part that really puts this over the top are rear drag radials for superb performance.

Hennessey is calling this modded Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 the Exorcist. With all these mods, the Exorcist generates 1000 horsepower and 966 lb-ft of torque. It’s able to go from 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds, and run a quarter-mile in under 10. Jeez, with estimates like that, no wonder it’s aiming to gun down the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Dodge may want to put all the rumors to rest and release the true power of its newest muscle car. Still, the Camaro ZL1 Exorcist is a post-factory, heavily modded vehicle.

Ford’s Super Mustang

Ford was talking a lot of smack last year, claiming the Dodge SRT Hellcat reign was about to end. Competing with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (707-hp) and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (650-hp), Ford repeatedly reported that their new Mustang was the most extreme version yet. Powered by a twin-turbo version of the GT350's 5.2-liter V8, the vehicle was said to produce 800 horsepower back in late-2016.

All this talk clearly happened before Dodge started to tease the SRT Demon. With the 2017 Ford Mustang only sporting 526 max horsepower, it sounds like they were bluffing about being able to challenge the mighty Hellcat. Either that, or once rumors about the Demon started spreading, Ford called it quits with amping up the Mustang. Hard to say really. Never know though, they may have pulled back on the reigns a bit and turned their attention to their next Mustang project to challenge the Dodge SRT Demon.

It’s always been these three competing for muscle car glory - Dodge, Chevrolet and Ford. It’s important to note that the SRT Demon is the only factory-produced muscle car that generates over 800 horsepower. Aside from the Hennessey Camaro project, it seems Ford and Chevrolet will be chasing the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon for awhile.

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