It’s always risky naming a car or ship after a denizen of the dark underworld. You could run afoul of Christian groups, as Chrysler did in the early 1970s with its original Dodge Demon (later renamed Dart Sport), or possibly meet a much grimmer fate, as explorer Sir John Franklin did with his two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
On a happier note, the Dodge division saw mostly positive PR from its decision to turn its already potent 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat up to “11.” The 2018 Demon and its associated Demon Crate drag kit became instant collector items. And why not? The Demon was a full-size two-door sedan making 808 hp (on premium gas) that you could order with a single seat.
Despite repeated promises that the model would be a one-time-only thing, however, rumors exist about a 2019 run.
As planned, just 3,000 2018 Demons rolled out of Fiat Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario assembly plant starting last September, bound for American buyers. Another 300 went to the Canadian market. When it rolled out last year, FCA’s former head of passenger car brands, Tim Kuniskis, adamantly insisted that this was it. Buy it now, or lose out forever.
Writing in Allpar, Patrick Rall squashes online forum rumors of an extra Demon crop with two points. First, FCA would open itself up to consumer lawsuits if such a thing occurred, as buyers were told (and issued a letter stating) they were one of a special group of 3,300 buyers. Secondly, adding more Demons would sink resale values by reducing the model’s exclusivity. Those values are skyrocketing, by the way.
Retailing for $86,090 after delivery, Demons are now going for well into the low 100k range. TTAC’s Bozi Tatarevic recently saw six Demons headed for auction with “buy it now” prices ranging from $13,000 to $130,000. Signing a note for one right out of the gate was probably a better long-term choice than buying Bitcoin.
It’s looking more and more likely that the Challenger’s zenith arrived with the SRT Demon, at least for the current extended generation. While there are still Hellcats to satisfy that old-school performance itch, it’s probably time to forget about a 909-horsepower Exorcist variant.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
The Damien Thorn edition would make 666 hp and have optional houndstooth upholstery.
Good try but no. To Chrysler faithful, the ultimately frightenening demonic names are Cerebus Challenger or (shudder) Daimler Challenger.
I am also trademarking my misspell “frightenening” for things that are scarier than “frightening.”
I am trademarking my misspell “frightenening” for things that are scarier than “frightening.”
And just discovered another software bug for when WordPress editing function interacts with Safari.
This will end in tears, the parents of the owner will die horrible deaths. Would work for someone who wants to be an orphan.
I believe it was Hennessey that made a 1,000hp Camaro and called it the Exorcist. Wouldn’t work if it were coming from inside the brand that did the Hellcat and Demon.
I’m down for a Jeep Wrangler Bobcat or a Dodge Durango Cthulu though.
How many of the people that put down money for the Hennessey will eventually sue him for cannibalizing their cars to feed other cars?
Bring back the Dart Swinger!
They did, except it was known as the “Dart Swing-and-a-Miss”.
Just do what the Italian car companies do and make a convertible version.
Damn, I was hoping Sergio was going to resurrect Mother Theresa via hologram to flog these things on next year’s Super Bowl.
Note that Ford has been exploiting the memory of the Civil War to sell cars since 1922 after the Leland brothers did for 13 years.
Its nice to see these straight line drag cars. But, I remember the days when you made a drag car for your daily driver.
It’s sad this part of our culture is slowly ebbing away. I suppose “off the shelf” is a safer option.
I said it before and I’ll say it again: they really need to lower the front-end suspension of that Dodge SRT. It’s jacked up so high, the right front tire isn’t even touching the pavement.
(Last time, I omitted the second sentence. I had considered adding it, but thought “naw, they’ll get it.” A couple of folks didn’t.)
Technically, neither front tire is touching the pavement in the above photo. That is a seriously jacked-up suspension! ;)
Also, this is new in R&T this month:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a15933028/don-garlits-dodge-challenger-srt-demon/