When you hear 'Dodge Demon 170,' you probably picture raw, unadulterated power. And you'd be right. This isn't just a car; it's a statement, a final, thunderous roar from the era of big-displacement, supercharged V8s. The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170, the seventh and final 'Last Call' special edition, is built to shatter expectations, and frankly, a few records along the way.
Now, about that top speed without a limiter – it's a question that gets straight to the heart of what this machine is all about. While Dodge hasn't explicitly published a "top speed without limiter" figure in the traditional sense, the numbers they have released paint a pretty clear picture of its capabilities. We're talking about a car that can hit 60 mph in a mind-bending 1.66 seconds. That's not just fast; that's physics-defying, G-force-inducing acceleration that pins you to your seat with over 2 Gs of force. For context, that's faster than many hypercars and even some drag-specific vehicles.
The real magic behind the Demon 170's insane performance lies in its recalibrated powertrain control module and its ability to harness the power of ethanol-blended fuels. With a red key (and only a red key, mind you – no black key to dial things back here), the engine's output is dictated by the percentage of ethanol detected in the fuel. Feed it E85, and you're looking at a staggering 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque. That's the kind of power that doesn't just aim for the horizon; it devours it.
This isn't just about straight-line speed, though. The Demon 170 was engineered as a drag strip monster. It's already been certified by the NHRA with an 8.91-second quarter-mile ET at 151.17 mph. In fact, it was so quick in its stock form that it received a letter from the NHRA for running under 9 seconds without a safety cage or parachute – a nod to its predecessor, the original Demon, which also faced similar restrictions.
So, while you won't find a simple "X mph" number for its unrestricted top speed, understand this: the Demon 170 is designed to achieve its ultimate performance potential on a drag strip. Its engineering focuses on maximizing acceleration and quarter-mile times. The components are beefed up – a stronger driveshaft, an adaptive rear suspension for better weight transfer, and specialized drag radial tires all point to its purpose. It's a car built to go incredibly fast, incredibly quickly, and the thrill comes from that explosive acceleration rather than a sustained, high-speed run on a highway.
It's a fitting, and frankly, spectacular, send-off for the Challenger. As emissions regulations tighten and the automotive world shifts towards electrification, the Demon 170 stands as a monument to the raw, visceral power of the internal combustion engine. It's a celebration of what was possible, and a reminder of the sheer exhilaration that a car like this can deliver.
