The Challenger and Charger Hellcat models from Dodge have served well in their roles as relatively blue-collar automotive heroes since the Hellcat lineup was introduced in 2015. Powered by supercharged V-8s with a scream that is extremely apt for the “Hellcat” moniker, these models have offered supercar power figures with mostly sub-seven-figure pricing that made them ludicrously powerful for the price.

The SRT Hellcat, Demon, Hellcat Redeye, Super Stock, Jailbreak, and others have epitomized the peak of raw, American muscle and endeared all those who get behind the wheel. But as the adage dictates, all good things must come to an end.

Over the past several months, Dodge has been unveiling its “Last Call” series of special edition Hellcat Chargers and Challengers as the models as we know them are being retired to make way for the Charger Daytona SRT EV. And now the final sendoff is here, the Dodge Demon 170, and it's sending off the Hellcat in appropriate fashion — with a 1,000-plus horsepower bang in Las Vegas.

Leading up to the event, there were several teasers that Dodge put out about the Demon 170, which is effectively a drag racer that is somehow still street-legal, and it's chock-full of specs and performance figures that beguile its $100,000 asking price. Enthusiasts may shed a proverbial tear for the end of the Hellcat lineup, but the Demon 170 is at least sending off the series in the fashion it deserves.

RELATED: The Dodge Challenger Shakedown “Last Call” Edition Is A Future Collectable

10 The Demon 170 Is The Final Challenger Hellcat

Front end of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge

As stated, the Demon 170 is the final in Dodge’s “Last Call” series of Charger and Challenger models that have also included

  • Challenger Black Ghost
  • Challenger Shakedown
  • Challenger/Charger Blacktop
  • Charger King Daytona
  • Charger Super Bee Special Edition
  • Swinger Special Editions for both models

These special editions have paid homage to the Charger and Challenger’s histories with their monikers, the revival of some iconic exterior paint colors like Plum Crazy and Sublime green, and of course, various performance upgrades.

The Last Call editions are serving as the swan song for not only the Charger and Challenger but for the Hellcat and internal combustion eras of Dodge’s muscle cars. Up next for the brand is the rapid jump from seriously powerful ICE models to what it hopes will be the foundation of the all-electric muscle car era with the Charger Daytona SRT EV.

9 The Demon 170 Cranks Out A Staggering 1,025 Horsepower

Instrument cluster of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge

Given its history, it should come as little surprise that Dodge is sending off the Hellcat with a simple staggering model, and the Demon 170 is certainly that. The Demon 170 cranks out a ridiculous 1,025 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 945 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. That puts the Demon 170 into the upper echelon of the most powerful production cars to ever roll off an assembly line.

As one of several insane cars that produce more than 1,000 horsepower, Bugatti introduced the Veyron which changed the automotive landscape forever. But unlike Bugatti models or the McLaren Speedtail, Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, Czinger 21C, the Demon 170 provides hypercar horsepower with a price that might still be obtainable for many. For the power offered, there’s simply no other choice.

RELATED: It's the End of an Era As Dodge Sends Off the Charger and Challenger in Style

8 The Demon 170 Charges From 0-60 MPH In Just 1.66 Seconds

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 doing a wheelie
Dodge

So, how does 1,025 horsepower perform on the drag strip? In a word — quickly. Dodge claims the Demon 170 will rocket from 0-60 mph in a mind-boggling 1.66 seconds. That means the 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 under the Demon 170’s hood will charge this hunk of American muscle from a stop to 60 faster than models like the Model S Plaid, Rimac Nevera, or Pininfarina Battista.

It’s worth noting Dodge hasn’t outlined the circumstances for this stupendously quick 0-60 time, so we have to assume it came on a prepped drag strip with ideal atmospheric conditions. Still, it seems to matter little when you consider the company the Demon 170 can keep for acceleration times. Dodge claims the Demon 170 has the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 g’s, and considering it can charge from 0-60 mph in the time it takes to sneeze, we don’t doubt that.

7 The Demon 170 Is Banned By The NHRA

Front shot of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge

When you’re aiming to produce something otherworldly, and the Demon 170’s performance certainly is, it must be appreciated to receive a notice that your model is simply too good to compete. And Dodge is proudly announcing that the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has outright banned the Demon 170. That’s because the Demon 170 can run the quarter-mile in under nine seconds, 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph to be exact.

That has resulted in its ban as the NHRA doesn’t permit sub-nine-second cars that aren’t fitted with a safety cage or parachute. That serves as a practical tip of the hat to Dodge for creating a production and street-legal model so ridiculously fast on the drag strip, a racing organization deems it’s necessary the model is fitted with serious safety equipment. The Demon 170 isn’t the first Hellcat model to be banned from the NHRA — the original Demon, introduced in 2018, is also banned by the NHRA.

RELATED: This Dyno Test Is Proof That Dodge Has Been Lying About The Challenger SRT Hellcat All Along

6 The Demon 170’s Engine Has Been Seriously Tweaked

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Engine
Dodge

Eking out 1,025 horsepower from a supercharged HEMI 6.2-liter internal combustion engine is no small feat, illustrated by the Demon 170’s long list of engine upgrades. Dodge says the only power component that hasn’t been upgraded in Hellcat V-8 is the camshaft. The 3.0-liter supercharger is equipped with a larger snout with a 105mm throttle body and a 3.02-inch pulley that increases boost pressure by 40 percent over the already insanely powerful Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

It will produce a total of 21.3 psi. The drive ration has been updated to 2.68, the throttle body diameter has been increased for 33 percent better airflow, cylinder pressure has been increased by 32 percent, and high-flow fuel injectors can deliver 164 gallons per hour, more than the average U.S. shower head, Dodge claims.

5 An Upgraded Driveline To Handle Its Awesome Power

The parachute mount of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
Dodge

The Torqueflite 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission has been upgraded with a revised output flange and a stronger prop shaft, and driveline components have been reinforced to deal with the Demon 170’s power. Dodge says the rear prop shaft is 30 percent stronger than that of the original Demon while maintaining the same size, and the rear axle housing is 53 percent stronger.

Other tweaks include Dodge’s TransBrake 2.0 system, which will allow drivers to select torque profiles to meet drag strip conditions, Dodge’s Line Lock feature, launch control and launch assist, which reduces wheel hop. The valvetrain, cylinder pressure, main and rod bearings, and connecting rod have also been tweaked with revised spark plugs Dodge says will lower the heat range “for optimal combustion with ethanol fuel.”

RELATED: The 2023 Corvette Z06 Races The Dodge Demon In A Deafening Showdown

4 It’s The First-Ever Factory Production Car With Staggered Drag Radial Tires

Dodge Challenger Demon 170 drag strip
Dodge 

Dodge says the Demon 170 is the first-ever production car to ride on staggered drag radial tires and fender flares, undoubtedly a critical factor in allowing the model to achieve its 1.66-second 0-60 time. The Demon 170 will ride on 17x11 rear wheels and ride on specially developed Mickey Thompson P315/50R17 ET Street R drag radials.

It’s claimed these tires use a nylon body for greater power transfer compared to traditional polyester sidewalls and will provide a “wrinkle effect” to reduce slip and thus increase power transfer. Up front, 18x8 Mickey Thompson 245/55R18 ET Street front tires will keep the Demon 170 in a straight line. The two-piece carbon-fiber wheels help the Demon shed 157 pounds compared to the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

3 It Needs E85 Fuel To Unlock Its Full Power

Dodge Demon 170 burnout
Dodge 

Despite all the upgrades for the Demon 170, it comes as little surprise the pinnacle model of straight-line muscle needs the right juice to unlock its full potential. The Demon 170 will produce its 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet only with an E85 ethanol blend. Yet, it still has incredible power on less-potent fuel.

The Demon 170 will still crank out 900 horsepower and 810 pound-feet of torque on E10. The powertrain control module (PCM) has been calibrated for high ethanol-blended fuel, and there’s a readout to showcase the ethanol percentage in the fuel to let drivers know what power they are working with before launching off into the horizon.

RELATED: Hooked And Booked: Watch An Old-School Demon Destroy A Modern Hellcat

2 It Cost Less Than $100,000

Dodge Demon 170
Dodge 

Excluding destination, fees, and any upgrades, all this power can be yours for the Demon 170s asking price of $96,666. Even with the required extra payments to put it in your driveway and on the road, the Demon 170 could be considered the automotive bargain of this millennium.

Getting four figures of horsepower from a production car typically requires seven figures and a $1-million-plus price is practically guaranteed for such powerful models powered solely by internal combustion, making the Demon 170 an obtainable muscle car with supercar figures.

Of course, you could get a Tesla Model S Plaid and its 1,020 horsepower and two-second 0-60 mph time for about $10,000 more, but that’s your only option for getting the Demon 170’s kind of output for the price. And it’s fairly safe to assume that the Demon 170 and Plaid have quite different clientele.

1 Only Up To 3,300 Demon 170 Models Will Be Produced

Dodge Demon 170
Dodge 

The Demon 170s asking price is extremely attractive, but unless you find a dealer that is included in Dodge’s allocation of the models, expect to pay a lot more. The Demon 170's awesome power, coupled with its status as the final ICE Challenger model, will assuredly be a high-value collector car.

That is backed by the fact that, at most, Dodge will produce 3,300 Demon 170 models with 3,000 bound for the U.S. market and 300 for north of the border in Canada. Those figures aren’t set in stone as Dodge says production numbers will be dictated by production capacity. Those wanting to see where the ridiculously powered sendoff of the Hellcat is headed can check out Dodge’s “Horsepower Locator” website.