Photo: Wheels Plus / YouTube
Stellantis is in a very precarious situation right now, especially in North America, but at least — if its end is near — it will have the honor of going out with a bang.
Of course, the “nuke” was supposed to be the swan song of the Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupe L-body series, the best of the best in the “Last Call” special edition. We are talking about the 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (on E85). After its arrival and the sold-out production run of 3,300 examples, Stellantis was supposed to look to the future with the new Dodge Charger Daytona Electric vehicle and twin-turbo six-cylinder in-line Sixpack models.
It remains to be seen whether Stellantis can weather the latest storm or whether the recent lack of motivation and judgment in crucial North America will lead to its demise or dismemberment. Until then, let's enjoy the times when a Mopar was one of the most powerful production vehicles in history, at least as far as ICEgas-powered models. Right now, it’s really the Demon 170’s moment to shine: It will soon be eclipsed by the 1,064-horsepower 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1, and it may become a faded memory.
Until then, the local quarter-mile drag strip is the best place to check out its credentials, of course. For example, the videographer behind Wheels more channel on YouTube is a big fan of Mission Raceway Park, also known as MRP or “Thunder by the River.” While there, he caught a glimpse of the Demon 170 through a rather eye-catching example: a purple unit with Demon graphics on the side and a large crimson “170” on the rear fender, plus “Dodge” stenciled across the front bumper.
Also, the race number chalked on the windshield also has the nickname “Dom” next to it, just in case you don't know who loves Mopars in Hollywood! Anyway, in the other lane, a more subtle sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro dressed in black and identified as an SS variant came first. Of course, a Camaro SS is no match for a Demon 170, but no one should assume anything before the race because we've seen under-the-radar modifications produce enough surprises on the drag strip.
Apparently, that wasn't the case: the limited-edition Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 easily took control of the race from the start and quickly destroyed the competition: 9.81 seconds to 12.37 seconds! There was even a second race, against a blue pickup truck from a bygone era, and the exhilarating destruction continued with a gap of 10.01 seconds to 13.36 seconds that could have held a bus or two between them.
