It is more than a farewell done with panache: it is a terrible scandal, even if some deserve such a gesture. Dodge respect for the future of the car. Because now the American brand, which is now owned by the Stellantis group, is doing everything possible to take the last chance of the victory of oil, and its legendary model: Challenger, whose future will be 100% electric.
World road record
The A competitor SRT, we knew, SRT Demon too, with its 840 hp and 0/100 km/h reached in 2.4 seconds. But in Auburn Hills, in the suburbs of Detroit, in the headquarters of Dodge, these values were judged to be a little playful. Above all, they belong to 2017. So it is impossible to bend to the heat and muscle car which is from six years ago. Therefore, in 2023, the engineers of the house revealed their last devilish creation: the Challenger SRT Demon 170. They created it with one unchanging idea: to eliminate the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, like the Tesla S Plaid in acceleration.
And the Michigan wizards succeeded as their beast reached 100 kilometers per hour in 1.66 seconds. Of course, we lie a little, since it was measured this time, reaching 60 km / h, or 96 km / h. But let’s not forget about the unfortunate four km/h.
To achieve this result, with this last gasoline engine, the American engine manufacturers used a block that does not need to be started: the famous HEMI V8, which is added with a compressor with a capacity of 3 liters. All of it can produce 1,039 hp, and a torque that we dare not mention, for that it reaches 1,281 Nm Suddenly, by reaching 100 km / h during the breath, we are confused. But we can continue, and reach 400 m in 8.9 seconds and therefore exceed 243 km / h in time to say phew.
Obviously, the machine, even if it’s certified for the road, despite its 315mm Mickey Thompson tires being as slick as a pool table, should logically be aimed at drag racing. But stop there: the American federation of discipline refused, because Dodge does not have a parachute, and can break on its own. It is impossible for the authorities.
Obviously there’s no rush to get a monster: Dodge only made 3,000 for the US, and 300 for Canada. Too bad, because what’s more, the monster is economical, not only because of its price, less than 110,000 euros, the price of a little meat BMW, but also runs E85. It is enough to fill up with almost anything and empty the tank with a few accelerations.